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"Do Tell"
The LGBT Aging Project's Monthly Newsletter |
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December 1st is World AIDS Day. Read below how Boston acknowledged seniors during its commemoration. |
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Greetings!
Happy Holidays from the LGBT Aging Project.
Once again we have a great deal of information to share with you. Please pay close attention to the dates for all the Holiday Events for LGBT seniors, caregivers and friends.
In this edition of Do Tell you will find useful and timely information about:
- A Message from the Director
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LGBT Bereavement Groups Forming in January
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Holiday Events for LGBT Seniors, Caregivers and Friends
- Boston Acknowledges Seniors on World AIDS Day
- David Aronstein Wins AARP's Andrus Award
- Caregiving Tips For The Holidays
- Plus News, Upcoming Events and Community Announcements
Have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Bob Linscott
Assistant Director
LGBT Aging Project
PS If someone forwarded this email to you, and you would like to be on our mailing list for future newsletters, click here to add your email. | |
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| A Message From The Director:
The LGBT Aging Project offers thanks to longtime Steering Committee Member Ed Ford, who is stepping down from his seat on the Steering Committee to pursue new interests.
Ed joined the LGBT Aging Project in 2000, and has been a member of the Steering Committee for the past 7 years, most recently as Treasurer. He has been a dedicated and active member of our community, a frequent public speaker - putting a real face to the topic of LGBT older adults - and a consistently positive supporter of our mission to enhance the lives of LGBT elders and caregivers.
Dale Mitchell, Chair of the Steering Committee commented: Ed..."your kind and generous words in leaving are almost as appreciated as your many accomplishments while part of the Project. If no longer around the table in person, you will remain there in spirit: a fighter for justice and equality for LGBT elders. Thank you very much for all that you have done and continue to do."
The benefit of the small nature of our LGBT aging community is that we are sure to continue crossing paths and all of us at the LGBT Aging Project look forward to that.
On a personal note, Ed has been a member of the Steering Committee throughout my entire 5 year tenure at the Aging Project and I am sorry to lose him as part of our team. What remains with me are two lasting impressions: his genuine warmth and enthusiasm for people and his frequently repeated mantra: visibility, visibility, visibility. I am grateful for both. Be well,  |
 2010 LGBT Bereavement Groups Forming
Beginning in January The LGBT Aging Project in partnership with Ethos and The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will be offering two new LGBT Bereavement Groups. Both six-week groups are free. One will be in the Boston Area and the second group will be in the Worcester area and will be co-sponsored by The Worcester LGBT Elder Network (WLEN).
Boston Area Group:
Thursday evenings 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Starting January 21
Location: Cambridge, MA
Worcester Area Group:
Tuesday evenings 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Starting January 19
Location: Worcester, MA
For more information or to register please call Beth Prullage, LICSW (413) 695-2236
Registration is required for both groups.
If you have a friend who has lost a partner/spouse, parent, family member or friend please pass on this information: 
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 Boston Acknowledges Seniors On World AIDS Day
To commemorate this year's World AIDS Day, Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino, City Council President Mike Ross, City Hall, the Aging Service organizations, the HIV/AIDS Service organizations, minority and LGBT organizations have all joined forces for the first time to bring attention to the incredible infection rate among Massachusetts senior population. Jim Campbell, Director of the New England Association on HIV Over Fifty states that "Almost twenty percent of new HIV cases are over the age of fifty and 52% of HIV cases are over the age off forty five." The Senior Pride Coalition (made up of five organizations: Boston Prime Timers, LGBT Aging Project, New England Association on HIV Over 50, Older Lesbian Energy, Stonewall Communities) was pleased to be one of the sponsors for the new banner (pictured above) which was on display at City Hall Plaza for World AIDS Day.
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 Holiday Events for LGBT Seniors & Caregivers
Holiday Party at "Out to Brunch"
Saturday December 5th, 2009 11am to 1pm
"Out to Brunch" (at Roslindale House)
120 Poplar Street, Roslindale, MA
Reservations Required: click here All are invited!
Suggested Donation: $1.75 ($5 for people under 60)
Presentation: Making Your Holidays More Fun and Less Stressful, by Ethos Care Advisor, Leslie Ahern.
If you would like to volunteer to serve this meal: click here
This event is sponsored by Ethos and The LGBT Aging Project
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North Shore Holiday Wine & Cheese Event for LGBT Seniors, Caregivers, Providers & Friends
A Community Conversation & Networking Event on LGBT Aging in the North Shore sponsored by North Shore Elder Services and The LGBT Aging Project
Wednesday Dec 9th 6pm to 8pm
Home of John Archer, 10 North Street, Danvers, MA
RSVP: to Rhonda Gauthier click here or call (978) 624-2220
Note: This event is FREE and open to all those who live and work in the North Shore area.
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Holiday Concert with Boston Gay Men's Chorus: Senior Pride Coalition Matinee.
Senior Pride Coalition Matinee
Sunday December 13 at 2:00pm
Tickets: $22
Available at Cafe Emmanuel
or by calling BGMC at (617) 542-7464
(Must mention Senior Pride Coalition for our discount)
Tickets must be ordered by Dec 3rd
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Holiday Celebration at Cafe Emmanuel
Thursday December 17 11am to 1pm
Cafe Emmanuel (at Emmanuel Church)
15 Newbury Street, Boston
Suggested Donation: $1.75 ($5 for people under 60)
Music: Holiday Jazz by the New England Conservatory
If you would like to volunteer to serve this meal: Click here
This event is sponsored by Ethos and The LGBT Aging Project --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holiday Potluck Party for LGBT Seniors, Caregivers and Allies in the Worcester Area
Thursday December 17th 12 Noon
Worcester Senior Center (128 Providence Street
After the potluck everyone is invited to a Holiday Party at the Senior Center!
More information contact Marty Flint or call 508-835-4640.
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David Aronstein,  LGBT Aging Project Co Founder Wins AARP Andrus Award
AARP's commitment to volunteer service can be traced back to the life and vision of our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Each year, AARP honors the legacy of Dr. Andrus with the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, our most prestigious and visible volunteer award. This year the Massachusetts Andrus Award went to David Aronstein.
David Aronstein has been a leader in the growing national movement to build support for the older members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. David is the founder and now current board member of Stonewall Communities, a not-for-profit organization that builds community among older LGBT people by creating educational, housing, social, and support opportunities. While a volunteer, Aronstein organized the development of a residential community in Boston for older LGBT people and created the Stonewall Communities' Lifelong Learning Institute at Wheelock College. The program was the world's first and only one designed by and for LGBT people at age 50+. He also co-founded the LGBT Aging Project, which trains mainstream senior-service providers and advocates for policy change to ensure equal treatment and access to services for LGBT seniors. Prior to his volunteer work in aging, Aronstein was a consultant to nonprofits on program development and strategic planning and was founding member of the senior management team of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.
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 Caregiving Tips for The Holidays
The holidays can be a time of excitement and celebration, but it can also be a time of stress. If you are a caregiver that stress is amplified during this season. Here are a few tips to help you manage juggling the holidays and caregiving.
1) If you're a caregiver, set your own limits early, and be clear about them with others. You do not have to live up to the expectations of friends or relatives. Your situation is different now.
2) Invite guests to the home of the care recipient so that he or she will be comfortable and not have to be taken out.
3) Encourage family and friends to visit even if it's painful for them. Keep the number of persons visiting at one time to a minimum, or try a few people visiting quietly with the care recipient in a separate room. Plan for the care recipient to have adequate private rest in between.
4) Talk to family and friends before they arrive. If the care recipient is confused, has trouble eating or has any behaviors that guests might not understand, explain the circumstances to them and tell them how to approach the situation. from Holiday Tips and Hints For Caregivers by Assist Guide Information Services
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| In The News |
Outing Age 2010 Shines Spotlight On Challenges Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender People Face As They Age
By Jaime Grant, Policy Institute Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) have just released Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Elders, an update to the Task Force's groundbreaking Outing Age report issued in 2000. Like its predecessor, Outing Age 2010 presents an in-depth look at public policy issues and challenges facing millions of aging LGBT people in the United States.
>>Download a copy of Outing Age 2010
SAGE Launches New Program For LGBT Caregivers
by Cathy Renna, Press Contact
Timed to coincide with National Caregivers Month, Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) will launch SAGECAP, a program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender caregivers. SAGECAP stands for SAGE- Caring and Preparing, and is a new innovative caregivers initiative that will be launched officially this month. Funded by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, SAGECAP is the largest LGBT-focused caregiver initiative of its kind in the country. The initiative combines education, outreach and support services to help LGBT caregivers (or those who are caring for LGBT loved ones). Studies have shown that LGBT people of baby boomer age are more likely to be caregivers than their heterosexual counterparts, and are also more likely to be caring for multiple people simultaneously. The program will help caregivers through a variety of programs: health and wellness, assistance with navigating benefits and entitlements, individual and group counseling and legal and financial assistance among others. The initiative also will help LGBT people begin to prepare for their own aging futures.
>> More info
Lesbian Elder Village in New Zealand Wins Video Award
Do you remember the story we ran in our March 2008 issue of "Do Tell" on the group of women in New Zealand committed to creating a Lesbian Elder Village? They are still working on this vision and gaining momentum. They recently won an award for the Most Viewed Video (Non-Profit and Activism Category) in New Zealand. You can help their cause by visiting their website, learning more about their mission and viewing the You Tube video.
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| Community Announcements |
An Important Message From The National LGBT Cancer Network:
The federal Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering the creation of a dedicated national Office for LGBT Health. This would be a powerful statement, acknowledging the full range of health disparities in our community.
Please join with other activists, researchers, cancer survivors, teachers, students and health providers to tell Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary for Health, that the immediate creation of an Office for LGBT Health is essential to placing our health concerns on a high national priority.
Individuals can sign the online petition by clicking here.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of LGBT people with cancer and those at risk.
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| Information for The LGBT Meal Program |
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Out to Brunch
First Saturday of every month 11am to 1:30pm
Roslindale House, 120 Poplar Street Roslindale, MA
Cafe Emmanuel
Every Thursday 11am to 1:30pm
Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury Street Boston, MA
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 Cafe Emmanuel and Out to Brunch are lunch and social programs for LGBT Seniors and their friends. Both cafes are part of the nutrition program at Ethos, a non-profit elder service agency in Jamaica Plain. The cafes serve a nutritious meal and offer social and educational events to anyone aged 60 and over. Cafe Emmanuel and Out to Brunch are co-sponsored by the LGBT Aging Project. Suggested donation for meals is $1.75.
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Support The Important Work of The LGBT Aging Project |
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Our mission is to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender elders have equal access to the life-prolonging benefits, protections, services, and institutions that their heterosexual neighbors take for granted.
You can support our mission by making a tax deductible donation or bequest. Help us ensure equal access and respect for ALL LGBT elders and caregivers.
>>Click here to make an online donation on our secure web site.
>>Click here to Learn more about the LGBT Aging Project
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