3) Mass Groups Reach Out to LGBT Seniors

 

 

Seven middle aged and older lesbians and gay men inaugurated "Generation Us," a biweekly column in Bay Windows, written by a diverse group of people who are connected in different ways to issues around aging.

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Last month three members of the LGBT Aging Project,  Lisa Krinsky, Director; Bob Linscott, Assistant Director and Dale Mitchell, Chair of the Project's Steering Committee, participated in the American Society on Aging's annual "Aging in America" conference that was held in Washington DC. The conference provided an opportunity for the various agencies working with LGBT Elders across the country to highlight their work to others working in the mainstream field of aging. The conference also enabled those working directly in the field of LGBT Aging to network with one another. Krinsky, Linscott and Mitchell each presented a number of workshops including "LGBT Aging Programs of National Significance,"  "Organization and Outreach for LGBT Elders," "Open Door Task Force: Cultural Competency Training" and "Making Mainstream Eldercare Providers LGBT Friendly."

 

One of the constituent groups of the American Society on  Aging (ASA) is LGBT Aging  Issues Network (LAIN, formerly LGAIN). This group organized a full track of LGBT-related workshops and presentations in addition to a number of social and networking gatherings, including a cocktail reception hosted by The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) at their new Headquarters.

 

For more information on LAIN click here to visit their website.    

For nearly ten years Ethos, and elder service provider in Jamaica Plain, has been pioneering the work in LGBT Elder Outreach and Programming in New England. Their outreach to LGBT Seniors includes a meal program and an LGBT Friendly Visitor volunteer program.  

 

Currently Ethos sponsors two meal sites for LGBT Seniors. "Cafe Emmanuel" for LGBT Elders and their friends is held every Thursday in Boston's Back Bay with weekly entertainment.  In December of 2007 Ethos launched a unique meal site, "Out to Brunch" which offers a brunch and social once a month for older LBT women in Jamaica Plain.

 

The LGBT Friendly Visitor program matches younger volunteers with LGBT Seniors who are in need of assistance in their home. Some clients just want to have a visitor to talk with or play cards, others need more assistance with running errands or transportation. For many of these home-bound clients, the LGBT Friendly Visitor program gives them their only opportunity to stay connected with the larger gay community.    

 

This month Ethos was awarded a grant from the Department of Public Health to establish a number of LGBT Bereavement Groups across the state. The LGBT Aging Project will partner with Ethos to establish the first such program anywhere in New England.

 

For more information on Ethos, click here

The LGBT Aging Project's Pride Dance Committee (pictured) is very excited to tell you that the planning for the Pride T-Dance for LGBT Seniors and Friends is in full swing. This is the only dance of its kind for LGBT Seniors in New England and once again we are expecting a terrific turnout. Those who have attended this event in the past will be very pleased to learn that DJ Shelly Cullen will be back by popular demand. She has won audiences over since our first dance in 2003 with her unique mix of music featuring a different decade every half hour!

 

The dance will be held on Sunday June 8th from 4:30pm to 8:00pm at the Holiday Inn, 1200 Beacon Street in Brookline, MA.

 

There is ample street parking or take the Green Line "C" Train to St. Paul Street if you prefer public transportation.

 

In addition to an evening of great hors deurves and drink, dancing and friends, we are offering a number of raffle prizes including tickets to the theater, local restaurants, artwork, and spa packages.

 

If you have an item that you would like to donate to our raffle, please send an email to Lois Johnson at lois@streetandcompany.com.

 

If you would like to help with the planning of the dance or to be a volunteer on the day of the dance please send an email to our volunteer coordinator Jane Proctor at jppots@yahoo.com.

 

If your organization would like to be one of our sponsors please visit our website for more information on our sponsorship levels for the Pride T-Dance.

On the first Monday of every month a group of people gather in Jamaica Plain. One might be hard pressed to see what these folks have in common until you listen to their stories. Although their circumstances are quite different, each one of them is providing care for a loved one. Some are caring for aging parents, friends, or family members, others are caring for their spouses or partners who are facing ailments like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. The other common link between each of the people in the group is that they are all LGBT or are caring for someone who is LGBT. This creates a safe atmosphere where everyone understands the unique issues and challenges LGBT caregivers face.

 

It doesn't matter if the person you are caring for lives in the same home as you or across the country, the challenges and issues of caregiving are significant. The group offers an opportunity for participants to share their stories, offer each other support and even some laughter. Perhaps the most important thing that the LGBT Caregiver Support Group provides is an opportunity to relieve some of the stress that comes from providing care for the ones we love.   

 

New members are welcome to join the LGBT Caregiver's Support Group at any time. For more information contact Joanne Peskowitz, LICSW at (617) 271- 4182. There is no charge for this group.

 

The LGBT Caregiver Support Group is sponsored by the Caregiver Alliance of Suffolk County and The LGBT Aging Project.

 

 

Feel free to pass this information on to any friend or colleague who may need it.

The LGBT Aging Project and MassEquality are working together to help achieve greater equality for LGBT seniors.

 

One of our priorities this year is to pass the MassHealth Equality Bill, an important piece of legislation that will grant married same-sex couples in MA the same access to Medicaid benefits as heterosexual couples.  With Nursing Home costs in Massachusetts nearing $100,000 a year, many people are surprised when they exhaust their savings and have to rely on Medicaid to cover the cost of caring for a loved one. Medicaid allows heterosexual spouses to protect their home and some of their joint assets, but these privileges aren't available for same sex married couples.

But we believe they should be. And we need your help to do it! One of the most powerful tools we have when talking to legislators and the general public about this issue is our personal stories - the ways our lives are or will be affected by the laws that are passed.

If you've been personally affected by the current discrimination in MassHealth regulations - or if you are worried about being affected in the future - tell us your story.

It's the single most effective thing you can do to make a difference. We will help you tell your story.  Please contact Bob Linscott at the LGBT Aging Project (617)522.6700 x310 or blinscott@ethocare.org.

 

 

After 44 years together, Lois Johnson and Sheri Barden finally decided it was time to get married! The couple was married in a private ceremony on Thursday March 27th. Much to their surprise, when they showed up at the April "Out to Brunch" gathering the following week, they were the guests of honor at a surprise 'Bridal Brunch.'  Congratulations Lois and Sheri, we know you made the right decision and we thank you for all the work you have done for the LGBT Community over the last 50 years.

 

 

We would like to say a special thanks to the staff of the Boston Gay Men's Chorus who continue to include LGBT Seniors in their outreach efforts. They have donated a number of tickets for LGBT Elders who might not have an opportunity to see the show otherwise. During their last concert at Symphony Hall titled "Words and Music" the BGMC invited 25 LGBT Seniors to be their guests at the show.