How OWLS is combating loneliness among LGBTQ seniors at The Center Orlando
Updated: 3:43 PM EDT Jun 15, 2026
The OWLS program at The Center Orlando offers LGBTQ seniors a weekly social club to combat loneliness and foster community. Social isolation is often a concern for seniors, and studies show that older adults in the LGBTQ community face heightened risks of loneliness. The OWLS—Older Wiser Learners—program aims to address this by providing a safe space for LGBTQ seniors to connect and be themselves. Every Thursday, members gather to play games, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. “We have a great time, and we’re all just—I feel like we’re family,” said Lenny Tungate. For many, the weekly gatherings are more than just a game day. “It’s a good way to meet people, basically,” said Ted McDonald. “I hate to say it, I do all my doctor’s appointments around this. Nobody gets in on Thursday.” In addition to games, the group hosts monthly speakers who provide helpful information on issues affecting older adults. However, the real draw for members is the sense of connection. “At our age, the connection is camaraderie. And intimacy is not the goal; it’s not important at our age,” said Bob Frew. The program offers a safe space for LGBTQ seniors to make friends and be themselves. “It’s easy to not appear to be gay. No, it’s not like other subcultures where you can’t hide. You know, we learned how to hide for so long, and then when we didn’t have to hide anymore, then we found each other,” Bob said. Members also share stories of love, loss, and the friends they’ve lost along the way. “Meeting new people is very hard at this age because of the generation that we’re talking about here,” said Martin M. “I would say half of my friends died during the AIDS epidemic. So I don’t have long-term relationships more than with 20 years. Usually, people our age, I’ve known people 30, 40 years. Right. We don’t.” Lenny added, “Yeah, I lost a lot of people, and we just lost a friend this past year who was a part of this group.” Whether members have been attending for years or just a few months, the group provides a space to open up, laugh, and feel accepted. “I reached out to the Pride Center, and they told me about coming here,” Martin said. “Then I walked in the door, and Chris said, ‘Hello, this is Martin,’ and this table full of people invited me over.” When asked how it felt to be welcomed so warmly, Martin said, “Very accepted. And they fill the gap.” Bob joked, “And we let him win a couple of games.” For many, the OWLS program is more than a Thursday tradition—it’s a reminder that they are not alone.>> More about The Center Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The OWLS program at The Center Orlando offers LGBTQ seniors a weekly social club to combat loneliness and foster community.
Social isolation is often a concern for seniors, and studies show that older adults in the LGBTQ community face heightened risks of loneliness. The OWLS—Older Wiser Learners—program aims to address this by providing a safe space for LGBTQ seniors to connect and be themselves.
Every Thursday, members gather to play games, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.
“We have a great time, and we’re all just—I feel like we’re family,” said Lenny Tungate.
For many, the weekly gatherings are more than just a game day.
“It’s a good way to meet people, basically,” said Ted McDonald. “I hate to say it, I do all my doctor’s appointments around this. Nobody gets in on Thursday.”
In addition to games, the group hosts monthly speakers who provide helpful information on issues affecting older adults. However, the real draw for members is the sense of connection.
“At our age, the connection is camaraderie. And intimacy is not the goal; it’s not important at our age,” said Bob Frew.
The program offers a safe space for LGBTQ seniors to make friends and be themselves.
“It’s easy to not appear to be gay. No, it’s not like other subcultures where you can’t hide. You know, we learned how to hide for so long, and then when we didn’t have to hide anymore, then we found each other,” Bob said.
Members also share stories of love, loss, and the friends they’ve lost along the way.
“Meeting new people is very hard at this age because of the generation that we’re talking about here,” said Martin M. “I would say half of my friends died during the AIDS epidemic. So I don’t have long-term relationships more than with 20 years. Usually, people our age, I’ve known people 30, 40 years. Right. We don’t.”
Lenny added, “Yeah, I lost a lot of people, and we just lost a friend this past year who was a part of this group.”
Whether members have been attending for years or just a few months, the group provides a space to open up, laugh, and feel accepted.
“I reached out to the Pride Center, and they told me about coming here,” Martin said. “Then I walked in the door, and Chris said, ‘Hello, this is Martin,’ and this table full of people invited me over.”
When asked how it felt to be welcomed so warmly, Martin said, “Very accepted. And they fill the gap.”
Bob joked, “And we let him win a couple of games.”
For many, the OWLS program is more than a Thursday tradition—it’s a reminder that they are not alone.