Gay Seniors Program Wins $475,000 Grant

And some good news for your hump-day.

From the Chicago Tribune:

A program that caters to the unique needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender senior citizens received nearly half a million dollars in federal funding Tuesday, opening the door for a wide range of initiatives organizers hope will assist thousands of older Chicagoans.

The program, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders, or SAGE, is part of the Center on Halsted, a gay and lesbian community center in Lakeview, and was profiled by the Tribune last June.

Its director, Serena Worthington, said the $475,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services marks only the third time that federal money has gone to a program focusing on GLBT seniors.

More here!

Great to hear that even during trying economic times, there are some monies available for programs aimed at helping people.  Think of how much good could have been done with the tens of millions spent on fighting to deny people equality.

Lambda Pride Seeks to Serve Aging GLBT’s

While the United States as a whole is beginning to see ageism play out around the country due in part to the economic squeeze and the aging of the population in general, the gay and lesbian segment of the population is experiencing even higher trends of ageism. Gay and lesbian senior citizens are experiencing ageism at horrifying levels. This is manifesting itself in depression, isolation and anxiety according to United States Health and Human Services office. “What data we have is very poor,” says Ann Lukes with World Health Organization.

In response to this need, Lambda Pride Senior Advocacy Services is being formed by Dr. Craig Williams and Dr. Reece Manley both of Dallas, Texas. Dr. Williams is a physician in practice in the Dallas area while Dr. Manley is a professional pastoral counselor and progressive Christian writer. “We are turning to the gay and lesbian community for both seed donations and for talented people willing to volunteer their time and effort.”

LambdaPride.org has been formed and is seeking non-profit status. “We are on target to have all the filing is place by March 2010, assuming we have some help from the community at large,” says Dr. Williams. “We have obtained a website and are seeking people to sign up for the newsletter. We are also asking for assistance in as many ‘queer dollar bills’ as people care to give.”

To make a seed donation or to offer to volunteer to advocate glbt seniors through any number of efforts, the public is encouraged to visit http://www.lambdapride.org.

Contact:
Craig Williams
LambdaPride.org
Dallas,TX
1-800-ZEN-0812
support@kjprnews.com
http://www.lambdapride.org

Gay Seniors: More Options for Retirement Communities

As the number of baby boomers turning 65 climbs, so does the number of aging lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) people. Currently, there are an estimated three million LGBT elders, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a figure that will more than double in the next 25 years. But if they don’t want to spend their older years in what are typically heterosexual retirement communities, where will they live as they age if they can’t, or don’t want to, stay in their current home?

“Many in the LGBT community feel that their golden years is no time to be crawling back into the proverbial closet, which many feel is what would happen if they lived in any other type of community,” according to a GilbertGuide.com article. “And living in a place where specific needs and life experiences will be understood is important to all seniors regardless of sexual orientation.”

The MetLife Mature Market Institute’s 2006 “Out and Aging” report on gay and lesbian boomers found that 27% reported “great concern about discrimination as they age.” Less than half expressed strong confidence that health care professionals will treat them “with dignity and respect.” Fears of insensitive and discriminatory treatment by health care professionals are particularly strong among lesbians: 12% said they have “absolutely no confidence that they will be treated respectfully.”

The LGBT community faces difficult issues as they age. The support system isn’t always there. They are less likely to have adult children to care for them, and they may have been ostracized by family members, leaving them to contend with their own care. Without the benefit of domestic partner laws, gay couples face more red tape in securing benefits for their partners.

More at: Silver Planet!

Help for Gay Caregivers Who Look After Elderly

When Michelle Obama pitched the president’s health care reform efforts to a room of women at the White House last week, one group of New Yorkers present clung to every word.

And when Mrs. Obama mentioned that “families come in many different configurations,” Karen Taylor, the director of advocacy and training at Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders, nodded in approval.

SAGE, a New York-based nonprofit group that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender caregivers, this week is beginning a “Caring and Preparing” initiative to provide such caregivers an array of resources: assistance with insurance benefits and entitlements, counseling, legal assistance, and various outreach and support programs.

More at: NY Times Blogs!

L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Receives Grant LGBT Seniors

Joe Wolffe mourned the end of his 32-year relationship for more than year. But one day, he decided to dust himself off, get up and embark upon a new social life.

As it often happens, friends in one social group lead Wolffe to meet new people in other groups. And that is how he made his way to the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.

“It’s given me a life, which I did not have,” Wolffe, 79, said. “It’s like family. For an old person like me, you can’t ask for better.”

The Center offers social activities, educational workshops, intergenerational programs and a variety of other services for seniors.

More at: Edge Boston!

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