Pride Series: The Power of Communities.

Stefanie Esteban (She/They) speaks with Andres David Veliz (all pronouns) from the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Senior Services team in this Pride Month episode of Plan Dulce. Together, they explore what it means to design cities where queer and trans elders can age with dignity. Drawing from his work creating affirming programs across senior housing sites, Andres shares how joy, accessibility, and belonging show up in planning at the community level.

They talk about the stories and needs of LGBTQIA+ elders, the importance of intergenerational connection, and the legacy of queer spaces that no longer exist. From bilingual HIV support dinners to public art projects that center color and care at bus stops, this conversation is a reminder that community care is city planning.

Andres David Veliz (all pronouns) is a Senior Services Activities Coordinator at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and a former journalist and translator with roots in Venezuela. He designs inclusive programs for queer elders across LA’s diverse neighborhoods, bridging language, culture, and access. Through storytelling, bilingual outreach, and community-based design, Andres builds spaces where aging is honored and difference is celebrated.

Learn more about Senior Services at the LA LGBT Center:

http://lalgbtcenter.org/services/senior-services/

https://volunteer.lalgbtcenter.org/

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Plan Dulce is a podcast by members of the ⁠⁠Latinos and Planning Division⁠ of the American Planning Association⁠. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. 

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This episode was conceived, written, edited and produced by

Stefanie Esteban (She/They) 

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