The entire American population is aging; thanks to the Baby Boomers
(a group of which I am a bona fide member) the
65-and-older population of the U.S. is expected to nearly double by 2050.
That includes LGBT seniors
– both people who have lived most of their lives in the closet due to the homophobia
of society and, unprecedented in history, an entire generation who will have
grown up and grown old in the context of an ever-more-visible and successful
movement for the visibility and equality of LGBT Americans. (If you haven’t
seen Lily Tomlin in the new film Grandma
yet… you should.)
Organizations dedicated to supporting LGBT
seniors have existed for nearly four decades, and this century has seen an
increased growth in them around the country. The people who form the heart and
soul of these groups are the seniors themselves. Like their non-LGBT contemporaries, they are
redefining what it means to be an older American – with a particular twist.
And, happily for authors, they read.
That’s why Chuck and I are especially proud
that this year, as the nation observes Veterans Day, we will be presenting our “Gay in the Great
War” program to two different groups for LGBT seniors: Silver Connections at The Loft in White Plains,
NY on Saturday, November 14, and Rainbow Seniors of Berkshire County on Tuesday, November 17, in Williamstown, MA.
The Silver Connections event
will take place on Saturday, November 14, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, at the Loft, the
Westchester LGBT community center, located at 252 Bryant Avenue, White Plains,
NY. The lunch menu features salads, sandwiches, soft drinks, tea and
coffee. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. To reserve in advance, call
Scott Havelka, The Loft’s Director of Programs and Services, at (914) 948-2932
x12.
Silver
Connections is a senior outreach program providing social, recreational,
educational, and cultural activities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) seniors 55 years and older.
The
Rainbow Seniors potluck luncheon begins at noon on Tuesday, November 17 at the First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA. The performance starts at followed by
the 12:45 PM and concludes at 2:00 PM, with a Q&A with the author. Luncheon
attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. Admission to this event is free.
All LGBT seniors and their friends and allies are invited to attend. For more
information about Rainbow Seniors, contact Ed
Sedarbaum at (413) 441-6006 or email him by clicking here.
