How an older lesbian uplifted Sun City’s queer community

Susie Broussard first moved to Sun City 20 years ago to care for her mother. As a 40-year old lesbian, she wasn’t much like her neighbors. She was much younger than most of them, and as far as she knew, there weren’t any other gay people in the area. 

But she was comfy: The unincorporated community—built as one of the first “retirement cities” in the nation—had plenty of amenities available, including a serpentine walking pool, various recreation centers, and community programs and clubs for opportunities to meet other people.

After her mother died eight years later, she decided it was time for a change and moved out of the 55-and-over town located just outside of Phoenix. 

But she found herself missing the Sun City lifestyle of active older-aged living. So, when she turned 55—the age people are eligible to buy property in the town—she jumped at the chance.

There was one problem: Even though she had a wife and solid companionship, she missed being around other people like her and her partner.  

For years, Sun City’s sole LGBTQ+ group had kept a low profile—low enough that residents often looked perplexed when hearing there were gays living among them. 

In fact, there were hundreds.