On today’s A Public Affair, we talk about people you almost certainly interact with every day.
These people are your neighbors, your relatives, your colleagues, your friends.
Your host is one of them.
Their guest today, Dr. Carey Candrian, is also one of them.
We’re referring to queer people.
If the current political landscape has taught us anything, it’s that hate and discrimination is still very much alive and well in America.
Safety isn’t promised to any of us – especially people with marginalized identities.
There are no consistent federal anti-discrimination protections in place for queer folks. Research has shown that the stress of living under stigma and discrimination can take up to 12 years off queer peoples’ lives.
This morning, we specifically speak about older adults that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Dr. Candrian has an exhibit opening this Friday at the Museum of Boulder, called “Eye to Eye: Portraits of Pride, Strength, Beauty.” Here’s Carey with more on her exhibit, her work in palliative care and LGBTQ+ health communication, and the importance of education and inclusion.
Listen:
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APublicAffair_2025-02-19 Jackie Sedley
“Eye to Eye: Portraits of Pride, Strength, Beauty” opens at the Museum of Boulder, this Friday, Feb. 21. It’ll be available to the public until April 20th, with an opening reception on March 29th. You can find more details here.
“It’s still very dangerous to be queer in this country, no matter your age, no matter where you live, and no matter where you’re getting care. And the safety piece is really real, and it’s related to the communication,” said Dr. Candrian. “And they can be subtle, to really communicate that you’re okay. You know, whether it’s symbols, even just questions like, ‘Who do you need in the room?’ ‘Who do you consider family?’ ‘Who’s the biggest support in your life?’ ‘What do I need to know about you as a person to take the best care of you?’ These questions, they’re simple and they’re subtle and they can do remarkable things for people who have really grown up with this habit of silence and this ingrained fear to talk about who they are. Because if you can’t get the care you need when you need it the most, and have the people who you love with you, it’s the biggest disservice we can do to a community.”
In the interview, Dr. Candrian highlighted three subjects in particular: Shirley, Janelle, and Esther (pictured left to right above).
“These pictures have had more of an impact on my career, on other people, than anything I’ve ever written or done in my career. And I mean, is this exhibit and looking at these pictures gonna change everyone? Of course not. But will it change a couple people? Will the story of Esther, will the story of Janelle stay with people so that when they do hear awful thing about the LGBTQ community, will they speak up? I hope so. And I think it has made a couple people change, who then can change a few more, and that I’m calling that a win, especially these days. I mean, this is not going to remove the horrendous destruction we’re seeing every single day. But can people go and and look at these people in the eye? Can their stories stay with them? Yeah. Can it shift a couple people? I hope so. And I think so. And I think those are the kinds of seeds we need to be planting right now.”
Dr. Carey Candrian is an associate professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and teaches an LGBTQ+ health and communication course at CU Boulder to juniors and seniors. She also used to direct the communication portion for the Masters in Palliative Care program.