The LGBT Aging Project's Newsletter

October 2010

Speakers at the Sept 30th Screening of Gen Silent for Elder Service professionals. Sponsored by Mass Home Care, Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging and The LGBT Aging Project. L to R: Lisa Krinsky & Bob Linscott, LGBT Aging Project, Dale Mitchell, Ethos; John O'Neil, Somerville Cambridge Elder Services and Lou Swan, Elder Services of Worcester Area. More info below under "Gen Silent Update."

"Do Tell"

The LGBT Aging Project's Monthly Newsletter

Dear ,

Once again there are so many positive things happening on a local and national level for LGBT Older Adults. Thanks to Gen Silent the discussion on LGBT Aging and Caregiving is even spreading overseas! This months newsletter if full of all the details including:

Western Mass LGBT Bereavement Group Forming
Gen Silent Makes History!
A National Conference for LGBT Older Adults
Meet our Interns
LGBT Caregiver Event in November
News, Community Announcements and information on all five LGBT Senior Meal Programs and our ongoing support groups.

Best,

Bob Linscott

Assistant Director, LGBT Aging Project

Message From The Director

Dear Friends,

Today is the launch of the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging!

The LGBT Aging Project is proud to be one of ten partner organizations working with SAGE and a terrific array of colleagues from across the country representing the best in both mainstream aging and LGBT aging.

When you go to www.lgbtagingcenter.org you can:

Watch as we build a resource that supports LGBT aging and caregiving
Tell us what you think about the issues we should cover in this website
Register for updates to stay informed about this exciting new venture

The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults. Established in 2010 through a federal grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services the Center provides trainings, technical assistance and educational resources to aging service providers, LGBT organizations and LGBT older adults.

Check it out, tell us what you think and stay tuned as the National Resource Center continues to grow!

Be well,

Lisa Krinsky, LICSW

Director, LGBT Aging Project

In This Issue

Gen Silent Makes History

Fall Bereavement Group

Conference for LGBT Older Adults

Behind-the-Scenes

Join Our Facebook Family

In The News

LGBT Caregiver Event

Community Announcements

Ongoing Support Groups

LGBT Meal Programs

Support Our Work!

Our Sponsor:

This newsletter is supported in part by a donation from our corporate sponsor, State Street Corporation. For more information about State Street visit them online. Click here

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Gen Silent Update: Gen Silent is Making History

We are excited to let you know that Gen Silent is making its way all across the country and overseas. There have been a number of screenings in the last few weeks but three of them were quite historic.

Belfast, Northern Ireland: Director, Stu Maddux met with LGBT leaders in Belfast for the first known discussion of LGBT aging issues in Northern Ireland. The event was hosted by Age NI. Stu also brought the film to the Person-centered Practice Research Centre on the campus of University of Ulster. This was another first: discussing the issue of LGBT Aging with care givers and administrators in Northern Ireland.

Charlotte, North Carolina: At the same time Stu was in Ireland, Bob Linscott took Gen Silent to North Carolina for the Charlotte Film Festival. The local paper, The Charlotte Observer, said the Gen Silent was one of the "10 Must-See-Films" for the festival. This screening marked the first time the main stream film festival worked with the LGBT community to include a gay film. The film was very successful, it took first place in festival pre-sales screening to a nearly sold out audience and it won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature! The week following the festival local organizers convened a forum to discuss LGBT Aging in Charlotte. >>Read more

Worcester, Massachusetts:

On September 30th over 100 professionals in the field of aging from all across the state gathered at Holy Cross to participate in a screening of Gen Silent and a discussion on LGBT Aging and Caregiving. There is an incredible potential for change when you bring together an auditorium full of social workers, case managers, protective service workers and other leaders in the elder service network and discuss the issues that this film raises

Western Mass Bereavement Group Forming in November

The second LGBT Bereavement Group this year will be held in the Franklin County area. This free six week group offers a safe and welcoming environment for people to process their loss and move forward with their lives.

The group is open to people of all ages.

If you know someone who has lost a partner/spouse, family member or friend, please share this information.

Dates: Tuesdays starting November 30th ending Tuesday January 18th

Time: Tuesday evenings 6:30 to 8:00pm
Location: Franklin County

To register: contact Beth Prullage, LICSW, (413) 695-2236

To learn about future groups in your area call Bob Linscott at (617) 522-1292

Funded by the Mass Dept of Public Health and facilitated by Ethos and The LGBT Aging Project

National Conference for LGBT Older Adults

Based in the belief that LGBT older adults are the experts on their lives, this unique conference will bring together LGBT older adults from around the country for three days of interactive workshops, exciting plenary sessions and multiple networking opportunities. The conference is hosted by SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and will be in New York City at the CUNY Graduate Center from November 11th to 13th.

>> Fore more information or to register, click here

LGBT Aging Project Behind-the-Scenes: Meet Our Interns

Rebekah Seaman (l) and Ashleigh McClenthen (r).

The Aging Project is thrilled to have two social work interns join us for this academic year -- particularly since their addition to our office increases our staff size by 100%! Ashleigh is with us 2 days a week and Rebekah is with us 3 days a week and they'll both be participating in many of our ongoing activities as well as helping us with additional new projects. We hope you'll get a chance to meet them sometime soon and in the meantime get to know a little more about them.

Name: Ashleigh McClenthen

School: Boston University

Program: Master's Social Work, Macro Practice Concentration

Last Book Read: Freakonomics

Quirkiest Thing About Her: Ashleigh is a huge Celine Dion Fan.

Why The LGBT Aging Project: I have a history working with lgbt affairs, but I had previously focused my attention on students and higher education, so I'm intrigued to look at similar issues within a different generation.

Name: Rebekah Seaman

School: Simmons College

Program: Master's Social Work, Aging Specialty

Last Book Read: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Quirkiest Thing About Her: Rebekah is afraid of birds.

Why The LGBT Aging Project: I previously volunteered with the Aging Project and when it came time to pick a field placement for school I was really excited to learn more about some of the issues that older lgbt people deal with, and hope to be able to give back to those who paved the way for me!

Join us on Facebook!

If you are still resisting joining the Facebook and social networking generation, you don't know what you are missing! Take a moment and set up your free online account with Facebook, then you can be part of our LGBT Aging Project Family and be able to participate in lively discussions, learn about upcoming events and get the latest news regarding LGBT aging and caregiving. While you are there, you can also join the "Gen Silent" page and read the posts from the director, Stu Maddux and the cast of Gen Silent.

In The News

Protecting Our LGBT Elders: An Overview of LGBT Aging Issues

by By Jeff Krehely , Michael Adams

Earlier this year, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Elders, or SAGE, and the Movement Advancement Project, or MAP, released "Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults" in partnership with the Center for American Progress, the American Society on Aging, and the National Senior Citizens Law Center. The report provides an overview of LGBT elders' unique needs and the policy and regulatory changes that are needed to adequately address them.

>> Read Full Report

Gay Gray...and Worried

By Paula Span, New York Times

David and his partner, Paschal, together for more than 20 years, married during the brief period that same-sex marriages were legal in California. They're in their 60s, in decent health and financial shape. Yet thinking about their future makes David uneasy.

>> Read Full Story

Save The Date: LGBT Caregivers Reception: Monday November 15th

As part of National Caregivers Month Minuteman Senior Services is co-sponsoring a reception with The LGBT Aging Project. The event will bring together LGBT Caregivers from all around the Metro West area for a unique gathering to connect with other LGBT Caregivers, share stories and learn about resources. Details will be in the November issue of Do Tell. For more information call (781) 272-7177.

Community Announcements

Panel Discussion on AIDS, Bisexuality and Community

Wednesday, October 13, 6:30-8:00 pm

Harvard University: Graduate Student Lounge in Dudley House/Lehman House

Just across from the Harvard Sq T stop

FREE! Refreshments will be provided.

LGBT Cancer Group at Fenway

This free weekly support group provides a safe space where LGBT people

with cancer can meet others facing similar challenges, find-comfort

and companionship, and learn new ways to cope.

Professionally run by a female and male clinician with psycho-oncology

experience. More information: Contact Joyce Collier, LICSW, (617) 332-5777

Facing Cancer Together

Gen Silent at Women's Week in Provincetown

Screenings daily at 3:15 pm at Whaler's Wharf from Saturday October 9th to 17th

Tickets are available through the Box Office, 237 Commercial St. 2nd Floor, Provincetown 508-487-3456. Ticket price $12/seniors $10. Executive Producer, Barrie Atkin will be present at most screenings for questions.

AARP Massachusetts Governor's Forum

As Bay State voters prepare to elect the first governor of the new decade, they want to hear from the candidates about their vision of aging - from specifics on Rx affordability to economic security for older workers. Join them for the only major forum focused on aging policy with candidates: Charlie Baker (R), Tim Cahill (I), Deval Patrick (D), Jill Stein (GP) The Forum is on Oct. 20, 10 a.m. - 12 Noon, The Great Hall, Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA. The Forum is free but pre-registration is required. Call (866) 448-3261 to reserve your seat.

On Going Support Groups

LGBT Caregiver Support Group:

Open to anyone providing care for a loved one. First Monday of every month, 6:00pm to 7:30pm in Jamaica Plain. Free. Contact Joanne Peskowitz, LICSW for more information: (617) 271-4182. Sponsored by Caregiver Alliance of Suffolk County.

LGBT Bereavement Groups:

For LGBT people of all ages coping with the loss of a loved one. Free six-week support group. To find a group in your area contact Bob Linscott (617) 522-1292. Sponsored by Ethos & The Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

LGBT Community Meal Programs