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.

Recent Columns:

Of Aliens and Elders May 22

Reclaiming Lawrence May 1

 

 

 

 

On Monday May 19 a group of seniors from all across Massachusetts were honored for their contributions and service in their own communities. Among the 28 seniors honored was Ed Ford, the first openly gay man to receive this award for his service to the LGBT senior community.  Secretary of State Mike Festa presented the award to Ford and highlighted his many accomplishments as the President of The Boston Prime Timers, Vice President of the Aging Project's Steering Committee and his work on the Board of the Boston Partnership for Older Adults. We are all very proud of Ed and this recognition his commitment to his work with LGBT seniors.

You are cordially invited to The LGBT Aging Project's 5th Pride Dance for LGBT Seniors on Sunday June 8th. This is the only event of its kind in New England and we are expecting a huge turn out of folks to come out and kick off Pride Week with us.

 

The dance will be held in its beloved location in the Whitney Ballroom at the Holiday Inn, 1200 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA on Sunday June 8th. The dance begins at 4:30pm and runs until 8:00pm. The suggested donation is $10 and all are welcome. Tickets are available at the door.   

 

We have an incredible evening planned for you that includes music by DJ Shelly Cullen, great hors d'eurves and a cash bar. Our raffle prizes include theater and movie tickets, gift certificates to local restaurants and a number of other exciting prizes. Our 'Mega-raffle is a weekend for two in Provincetown at the Provincetown Inn!

 

You have a number of options for transportation. If you can travel by subway, that is the easiest. Take the Greenline (C-train) to St. Paul Street. If you drive, there is free parking on Beacon Street and the surrounding streets. We will have coupons for $8 parking at the Holiday Inn, but that garage fills will fill up quickly due to the afternoon Red Sox game. 

 

We look forward to seeing you at this festive occasion. Please bring a friend!  Don't hesitate to call us if you have any questions. (617) 522-6700 x310.  

 

The festivities begin at 11am with catered hors deurves and social time. We will have a sit down meal and live entertainment from the New England Conservatory. Following dessert we will have a Napoleon-Style Sing-a-long around the piano.

 

We are very excited to bring members of our two LGBT meal sites together for this festive event. If you have never been to either Cafe Emmanuel or Out to Brunch, this is a perfect opportunity to join us.

 

As seating is limited, we must have your RSVP by Monday June 9th at noon. For reservations call (617) 522-6700 x310.  The suggested donation for this event is $1.75 for seniors over 60 and $5 for anyone under 60.

 

Cafe Emmanuel is located at 15 Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay.   

April 23, 2008 was a historic occasion! It marked the first official meeting of the Senior Pride Coalition. In an effort to bring together the organizations that work with and for LGBT Elders, the Senior Pride Coalition was formed. This is very significant because, according to Linda Demarco, President of Boston Pride, this marks the first Pride Coalition for Seniors anywhere in the nation. Other Pride coalitions include Youth Pride, Latino Pride and Black Pride.

 

The founding member organizations of the Senior Pride Coalition are: The LGBT Aging Project, Boston Prime Timers, Older Lesbian Energy (Ole), Stonewall Communities, and The National Association of HIV Over 50 (New England Chapter).

 

This year the member groups of the Senior Pride Coalition will march together under one banner during the Pride Parade on June 14th. We want you to march with us!  We will send out a Pride-Alert email with all the details about time and location when that is available.

 

The Senior Pride Coalition will also have a tent set up at the Pride Fairgrounds at City Hall Plaza after the parade. Visit us there and learn more about all of the organizations that support LGBT Seniors.

 

 

On Thursday June 12 join members of The Boston Prime Timers, Older Lesbian Energy (OLE), Stonewall Communities, New England Chapter of HIV Over Fifty (NAHOF) and The LGBT Aging Project for a fabulous social event.  

 

The Boston Gay Men's Chorus sings the 'ultimate tribute show' to ABBA. Dancing Queen, Mama Mia, Fernando, Take a Chance on Me.....(need we say more?)   Extr ABBA ganza! Thursday night June 12 at 8pm. Cutler Majestic Theater 219 Tremont Street, Boston  

 

Tickets: The BGMC has arranged a special discount and reserved a block of seats for The Senior Pride Coalition. Tickets are $22 (normally $35). This discount is only available by calling the BGMC Office at (617) 542-7464. Tell them you are with the Senior Pride Coalition. Tickets must be purchased by June 9th at 5pm.   More info on the concert click here.

The LGBT Aging Project's state funding for FY2009 is in the hands of the legislature. Representative Liz Malia proposed an amendment to the budget that was approved - giving the Aging Project a 33% increase from $60,000 in FY2008 to $80,000 in FY2009. Senator Dianne Wilkerson proposed a similar amendment on the Senate side, asking to match the House budget allocation of $80,000 for FY2009. Her amendment was approved also. 

 

Thanks to both Representative Malia and Senator Wilkerson for their leadership, and to those legislators who supported their amendments, and to those of you who responded to our Action Alerts and contacted their legislators requesting support for our continued funding.   

 

Next Steps: House and Senate budgets will be reviewed by Joint Committee, their final budget will be submitted to the Governor who can approve or veto budget items. Budget goes into effect July 1st, 2008.  

Bonnie Winokar, an active volunteer with the LGBT Aging Project joined the Steering Committee in March 2008. Bonnie has worked with the Policy Committee on the MassHealth Equality Bill by testifying before the State's Joint Committee on Health Care and Financing. Bonnie is a retired school teacher who is quite active in local/state politics as Co-Chair of the Baystate Stonewall Democrats. She and her spouse Mary McCarthy have been vocal supporters of same sex marriage and are featured in the documentary "Same Sex America."

 

 

State Street Bank

Ethos

The Mass Equality Education Fund

Wade and Horowitz

Central Boston Elder Services

 

We hope you will continue to support these organizations as they enable us to bring events like this dance to you.

 

For those of you who saw the film The LGBT Aging Project sponsored last year at the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Bob & Jack's 52 Year Adventure, you will certainly remember the films stars, Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley. With the landmark decision coming from California's Supreme Court last week the couple have decided to marry.

 

"Our love is still so strong after all these years, yet we were never allowed the ultimate way to express it", says Bob Claunch, now 82, from their home in Los Angeles, CA.  

We've always been politically active but neither of us realized how important marriage actually was to us personally until we realized that we actually could become husband...and husband." adds partner turned fiancee Jack Reavley, 83.

No date has been set although the couple would like to have a ceremony this Fall in the community center where they live at Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing in Los Angeles. 

Within months of completing their Open Door Task Force LGBT Competency Training, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is already reaching out to the local LGBT seniors in their area. 

 

The coffee reception will be held on June 17th from 9:00am to 10:30am at the Healey School, 5 Meacham Street in Somerville, MA.  This free event is part of thier annual Elderfair. For more information or to RSVP for this event, please call (617) 628-2601 x 605.  

Aging With Dignity Conference. June 4th, Holy Cross College, Hogan Campus, Worcester, MA.  Lisa Krinsky, Director of the LGBT Aging Project will be on a panel on Aging and Addiction in LGBT Communities. For more information click here.

 

Tuesday, June 3, 6 - 8 pm -  Dinner panel & conversation on Lessons the Safe Schools (GSA) Movement Can Teach us about Organizing for Social Change.  Panelists:  John Auerbach (Commissioner of DPH), Pam Chamberlain (Political Research Associates), and Rev. Irene Monroe.  43 Hawes Street, Brookline MA  RSVP to mconnolly@cambridgeconsulting.com

Tues, June 10, 4:30 - 6:30 pm - Tour of Mt. Auburn Cemetery - led by Bill Clendaniel, Director of Mt. Auburn Cemetery

RSVP to ren.pilinger@gmail.com