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| "Do Tell"
The LGBT Aging Project's
Monthly Newsletter |
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Greetings!
We hope you are enjoying the benefits of summer...at least when the weather is cooperating! Although the excitement around Pride has begun to settle down we have much to celebrate this month. When you read this edition of "Do Tell" you will know why.
Sincerely,
Lisa Krinsky
Bob Linscott | |
MassHealth Bill Succeeds in Senate!
Same Sex Married Couples Win Rights to Equal Benefits
On Wednesday July 23, 2008 the Massachusetts State Senate passed the MassHealth Equality Bill, the first piece of legislation that codifies the 2003 Goodridge decision, ensuring that same sex married couples are eligible for spousal benefits under the state/federal Medicaid program, known as MassHealth. The House passed the legislation earlier this month and it now awaits the Governor's approval.
Medicaid is a unique program, funded by both state and federal dollars and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) does not recognize same sex married couples although Massachusetts' state law does.
"This is a terrific day - we have spent the past four years working to ensure marriage equality is made real by passage of this important legislation. Medicaid has protections for married couples and the same sex married couples of Massachusetts should be eligible for those protections" said Dale Mitchell, President of the LGBT Aging Project and chair of its Policy Committee.
Medicaid's spousal benefits and protections are especially meaningful for older married couples that are facing nursing home care. With average nursing home costs of at least $75,000 a year many couple's assets are depleted and they must turn to Medicaid to cover their care. Medicaid spousal benefits ensure that the spouse remaining in the community can keep their family home and enough of their joint assets to live independently in the community. Without these protections the community spouse could face homelessness and impoverishment.
"We owe tremendous thanks to the many legislators who supported the MassHealth Equality Bill, including our lead sponsor Representative Liz Malia, House Speaker Sal DiMasi, Senator Dianne Wilkerson and especially Senate President Therese Murray who moved this bill within ten days of its arrival in the Senate." said Lisa Krinsky, Director of the LGBT Aging Project.
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| LGBT Aging Project Receieves Significant Funding for Fiscal Year 2009.
The Aging Project's fiscal year 2009 runs from July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009. Funding for this fiscal year includes the following:
$80,000 - Executive Office of Elder Affairs/state budget: to provide LGBT cultural competency training and outreach to the state's network of elder care
providers. (Increase of 33% over FY2008 $60,000 award)
$40,000 - The Roberta Thall Charitable Trust: strategic partnership grant
for a fund development consultant to create and implement a sustainable fund development campaign.
$25,000 - Ethos/Department of Public Health: Outreach and delivery of six LGBT bereavement groups throughout the state.
$25,000 - The Boston Foundation: General support for the Aging Project's work in education, outreach and advocacy for LGBT elders and caregivers.
The Aging Project also receives funding from the Caregiver Alliance of Suffolk County to provide the LGBT caregiver support group as well as outreach to LGBT caregivers. This funding is awarded according to the federal fiscal year that runs October 1-September 30th.
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| SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) Hosts 4th National Conference on LGBT Aging
The conference, entitled, "It's About Time: LGBT Aging in a Changing World" is being sponsored by AARP and will take place Oct 12 - 14 at the Marriot New York at the Brooklyn Bridge. SAGE expects over 1,000 policy makers, senior service providers, and LGBT professionals and activists. The LGBT Aging Project will be facilitating a number of workshops at the conference.
For more information on SAGE or the conference click here.
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 In The News: Gay and Gray in America!
There has been a growing interest in the media around the aging of the LGBT community. The current issue of The Advocate (pictured) features several stories on LGBT Aging including a one that gives a nod to the LGBT Aging Project ("Aging in America" by Kate Dailey). Another feature story appeared in Edge Boston: "Gay America Turns Gray"
Aging in America: From The Advocate: "Forget canasta -- senior citizens are having sex just like the rest of us. But until gay groups like SAGE came around, no one ever talked to them about it. As Kate Dailey finds out, that's just one of many innovations credited to gays and lesbians."
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 In The News: Out Own Anna Bissonnette!
We are so proud of one of the LGBT Aging Project's Steering Committee members, Anna Bissonnette. She was recently featured in a special article in the Boston Globe acknowledging her commitment to helping homeless elders.
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About the LGBT Aging Project
The LGBT Aging Project is a non-profit organization established in 2001 that is committed to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders and their caregivers have equal access to the life-prolonging benefits, protections, services and institutions that their heterosexual neighbors rely on. The LGBT Aging Project is the only organization in New England dedicated to education, advocacy and outreach to our LGBT elders, a long overlooked and rapidly growing constituency.
Please visit our website: www.lgbtagingproject.org.
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