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The Newspaper on GLBT Agimng atters SUMMER 2007

GRIOT CIRCLE TALKS TO SAGE SAGE LOBBIES NEW YORK GLBT ELDERS AROUND THE COUNTRY >> Directors of SAGE and GRIOT Circle STATE LEGISLATURE VISITS discuss their organizations’ goals, >> SAGE travels to Albany to advocate >> A growing SAGE-Net organization in this challenges and collaboration . for increased state funding . See page 4. Midwestern city is enhancing opportunities See page 3. for GLBT elders . See page 10. What Does Mean to You?

BY BETH KLING

Mary Pauline Jerry Gregory Marlene is the only day The means we Gay pride is a day to be in I’ve been involved since I’ve been marching since we can express our true pushed back at ; the world’s face. From the the beginning, and I 1933 when my mother feelings, and we’re all it means we’re here and nelliest queen to the remember all the different brought me in my stroller together. Years ago, if they we’re going to stay. And butchest , it’s the day characters who have made to marches on . In saw you at the parade, you every year it gets bigger and when we say, “This is who the parade a festive event. It 2004 I marched for Kerry; could get fired from your bigger. I’ve been marching we are.” At the first march, means that we’re proud, and I’ve been marching forever. job. Now it’s no big deal; since 1977. I march with we were threatened with I believe many straight folks And this is really one of the everybody comes out. In the Butch- Society, bombs and shootings; we must appreciate that we’re only movements that has fact the whole month of and there’s a huge selection went up Fifth Avenue so fast not backing down, and that actually seen progress. June is our month. of groups to march with. they called it “the first run.” makes me proud. We don’t all have to look What was so amazing was the same. seeing it grow as we went.

Gayby Boomers Fight Retirement SAGE Expands Services in Harlem in New Mexico for HIV-Positive GLBTs over 50 BY MIKE NADEAU AND MICHAEL ADAMS

There’s been a lot of speculation about whether a new BY BETH KLING generation of GLBT older people — the Gayby Boomers One in three New Yorkers living with HIV today is over age 55, a result of rising — will shake up the world of aging. As columnist Deb infection rates, as well as greater numbers of people growing older with the disease. Price asks, what will happen when “the first generation of Many years ago, SAGE recognized that HIV was not just a young person’s disease when gay Americans to have spent much of adulthood outside in 1988 the organization started SAGE Positive, a program for HIV-positive men over the closet hits retirement — and runs smack into a retire - age 50. SAGE Positive continues to offer support and information to members of the ment world not used to dealing with gay people prepared older population living with HIV. In recent months, SAGE has begun to expand to speak up for themselves?” services for people living with HIV in Harlem, the neighborhood second only to Chelsea Of course, the current generation of GLBT seniors has in rates of new infection for HIV cases. its share of individuals ready, willing and able to speak “When you consider the aging of the epidemic and the high rates of infection in out for GLBT rights. But the impending retirement of the Harlem, at the intersection is a population that SAGE serves — GLBT elders living in Baby Boomers might be the start of a much larger scale of Harlem,” said Tom Weber, director of community services at SAGE. “A disproportion - activism. One example of the coming surge can be found ate number of GLBT elders living in Harlem are HIV-infected.” in New Mexico, where three couples are the The high rates of HIV infection in the general Harlem population are widely recog - plaintiffs in an ACLU lawsuit demanding that healthcare nized in the community, and agencies operate all over Harlem to provide HIV-related benefits for the domestic partners of retiring government services. But when you add GLBT identity and aging to HIV infection, the capacity to employees continue, just like they do for heterosexual offer needed services and support becomes much more difficult. spouses. “Many GLBT elders in Harlem have a complicated approach to their identity in the The couples, all recently retired or facing retirement, community, so there are challenges in connecting with them to provide services,” said include Ellen Novak and Linda McCreary and Havens Doreen Bermudez, community organizing manager at SAGE. Bermudez pointed out Levitt and Rebecca Dakota, who were interviewed for this that the stigma around HIV similarly keeps people in Harlem silent, isolated, and

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 02 matters SUMMER 2007

SAGE Offers Services for Aging GLBTs

SAGE is the oldest and largest organization in the country dedicated to meeting the needs of GLBT people

as they get older. SAGE provides dozens of activities, groups, and programs to ensure the voices of GLBT older

people are heard and to encourage GLBT seniors to connect with each other and the community.

Through direct services and a wide variety of enriching, life-enhancing programs, SAGE is creating a better

aging experience for GLBT seniors in . Through education and advocacy, SAGE is contributing

to a better future for older GLBT people throughout the United States.

Support Groups Art & Culture Programs Informational SAGE Communities SAGE Positive Alzheimer’s Caregiver Acting Class Programming SAGE Harlem NORC Programming Support Group Art Studio Health and Wellness (Naturally Occurring HIV Counseling SAGE Positive HIV 50+ Booklovers’ Discussion Presentations Retirement Community) HIV 50+ Men’s Support Support Group Heritage and History Monthly HEAT (Harlem Groups – SAGE at Bereavement Group Book Readings Presentations Elders Advocating for the Center Caregiver Support Group Creative Writing Legal Issues Presentations Themselves) Meetings HIV 50+ Men’s Support Workshop Money & Finance Social Activities Group – Harlem Gay Widowers Support Discounted Theatre Presentations Informational Presentations HIV 50+ Women’s Group Tickets Information & Referral Support Group – Harlem Men’s Morning at the Opera Women’s Programming HIV Services HIV Testing w/GMHC – MS Support Group Movies Women’s Dances Harlem Older Than Springtime – Women’s Music Salon Women’s HIV+ 50+ Upper West Side HIV Prevention & Men’s Support Group Support Group – Harlem Neighbors Education – Harlem Women’s Support Group Social Activities Women’s Monthly Monthly Socialization Brunch Bunch Birthday Party Programming Volunteer Services Discussion Groups Bus Trips Women’s Music Salon Friendly Visitor Trainings Conscious Creative Aging Dating & Relationship Women: Our Spiritual Education & Advocacy & Support Meetings Life Issues: Beyond Workshops Journeys National Conference on Monthly Volunteer Retirement Daily Drop-In Center Women’s Parties Aging in GLBT Orientation Men 40+ Rap Drop-In Monthly Birthday Women’s Support Group Community Men 50+ Rap Party HIV and Aging Advocacy Drop-In Parties Clinical/Counseling SAGE Curriculum: Savings & Investments Gay Pride Activities Services “No Need to Fear, Senior Elders: 75+ Support Holiday Parties Case Management No Need to Hide” For more Tuesday Daytime SAGERCIZE Individual Counseling SAGE Matters Newspaper Discussion information Scrabble & Bridge HIV Related Counseling Website www.sageusa.org Women: Our Spiritual Socials Group Counseling about SAGE’s Journeys Walks Benefits Counseling Services for Caregivers Women’s Monthly Legal Counseling Respite Services programs, call Community Meetings Birthday Party Walk-In Social Services Caregiver Support Group (212) 741-2247 Monthly Drop-In Women’s Dances Clinic Financial Assistance for Community Meetings Women’s Parties Help Finding a Safe & Caregiving Needs or visit our Monthly HEAT (Harlem Friendly Long-Term Subsidized Home Care website at Elders Advocating for Helping Services Care Facility Subsidized Adult Day Themselves) Meetings Benefits Counseling Help Finding Homecare Services www.sageusa.org Upper West Side Friendly Visitors Programming Planning Legal Clinic Meetings Lend-a-Hand

matters The Newspaper on GLBT Aging PUBLISHER: Michael Adams. EDITOR IN CHIEF: Beth Kling. EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Adrian Mayer. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Liz Ferris, Mike Nadeau, Garrison Phillips, Trumbull Rogers, Eduardo Sanchez, Tom Weber. DESIGNER: Ken Pfeifer. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Lawrence N. Chanen, Esq., Co-Chair • Judith E. Turkel, Esq., Co-Chair • Carol Garcia, Treasurer • Jon Nathanson, Secretary • Phillip A. Saperia, Member-at-Large • Peter Catenacci Herbert I. Cohen, M.D. • Brian C. Craig • Mark D’Alessio • Bonnie Edwards, Esq. • Beth Jones • Joan Koenig • Howard D. Leifman, Ph.D. • Kate Morrison • Ralph Michael Randazzo, Esq. • Cindy L. Schwartz • Frank Stark • Michael Adams, Executive Director. Published three times per year by SAGE, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders, 305 7th Avenue, NY, NY 10001. www.sageusa.org. [email protected]. SAGE is supported in part by the United Way, New York City Department for the Aging, New York State Department of Health, and through the generosity of foundations, corporations, and individuals. ©SAGE 2007.

To learn more about SAGE, please call (212) 741-2247 or visit www.sageusa.org SUMMER 2007 matters 03

GRIOT Circle Talks to SAGE Directors of SAGE and GRIOT Circle Discuss Challenges, Goals and Collaboration

GRIOT Circle, a community-based organization in Brooklyn that provides services for GLBT elders of color, has been collaborating with SAGE for a number of years. Several years ago, the two organizations joined with SAGE Queens to form RAAP, the Rainbow Aging Alliance Partnership, and won a multi-year grant from New York State to support programming for GLBT seniors. Recently, Glen Francis, GRIOT Circle deputy director, sat down with Michael Adams, SAGE executive director, to talk about some of the challenges and goals of each organization, as well as the benefits of collaboration. SAGE Matters moderated the conversation. Glen Francis (left) of GRIOT Circle joined Michael Adams of SAGE in a discussion about two SAGE Matters: Let’s start funding. We are looking at organizations that share some common goals and challenges. by talking about some of the different strategies in terms challenges faced by both of increasing funding, [but] Michael Adams: At SAGE GLBT work. But we don’t Glen: I think one of the SAGE and GRIOT Circle. it is always tough. We’ve we have very similar kinds seem to fit comfortably in things with GRIOT is that been here for 10 years, and of challenges, including either the aging funding we have a very clear vision Glen Francis: I could talk still don’t have name recog - funding. In theory we world or the GLBT funding of what GRIOT Circle is about a hundred things nition when we go out into should be able to go to world, so there is a lot of and what GRIOT Circle can that are issues and concerns the community, and so mainstream foundations educational work that has do, so we are very focused for GRIOT Circle, but I therefore, that is part of my that are accustomed to to go on. on that, which is why think our priorities are job, to make sure that foun - funding aging work and get we’ve built collaborations funding, space, and engag - dations know who we are them to support us, and we SAGE Matters: What are with organizations that can ing our membership. We’re and what we’re about, and should be able to go to some goals for each provide the services that we happy, we just need more are able to buy into the GLBT foundations that are organization? cannot. There is no way we space, but that requires mission of the organization. accustomed to funding are going to try to make Glen: Part of my goal is to GRIOT into a SAGE, not increase our capacity to because we can’t, but provide services. And because we shouldn’t. included in that is looking GRIOT is unique in itself, at how our mission relates and so, the collaborations to the kinds of service we do together have built needs in our community. both of our communities. One of the things we do every year is a survey of our Michael: I’m really glad to membership, to find out see that the collaboration where are we, and where SAGE has with GRIOT are they (the members). We Circle and SAGE Queens use this survey to basically and the RAAP program is redesign our programming. getting stronger, and we are doing more things togeth - Michael: With SAGE, er. There is no reason for there is the issue of chang - SAGE to do what GRIOT ing needs. SAGE is 29 years Circle does, or vice versa; old, so it’s built programs but if we work together, we over a long period of time. can do some really exciting How do you have the things. programming continue to grow and evolve so that it SAGE Matters: How did serves the needs of our you each get involved with older constituents as well SAGE and GRIOT Circle? as our younger-older constituents? Michael: I’ve been here about 8 months, and SAGE Matters: SAGE and before being at SAGE I was GRIOT Circle have been at . I was the working separately and in director of education and collaboration to provide serv - public affairs, and before ices to GLBT seniors. Can that a deputy legal director. you speak a bit about the But I have had a real inter - experience of working est in SAGE and the kind of together and still maintain - work it does for a very long ing each organization’s time, since my first Pride identity? parade in New York City over 20 years ago, when I CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 04 matters SUMMER 2007

A Rainbow Appears on the Capitol GLBT Service Providers Lobby in Albany BY TOM WEBER

Every year, in the waning year’s budget. The Empire of meetings with legisla - in the years ahead. funding, and all the days of winter, a rainbow State Pride Agenda (ESPA) tors, Advocacy Day usually The next day, delegations members we spoke to converges on the state convenes the network and includes a reception for of network members set off expressed their support for capitol when the Health & coordinates the activity participants at the end of to meet with legislators our cause! Human Services Network that enables these groups the first day. from their districts to ask Advocacy Day was a busy travels to Albany to pay to receive some of This year, the governor, a for the funding increase. but highly satisfying event. their legislators a call. A their most significant state supporter of the GLBT The RAAP partners split As the RAAP partners coalition of over fifty GLBT funding. community who has up as GRIOT Circle met traveled back to the city service providers from The network decided this appointed several openly with Brooklyn assembly together, we replayed the around New York State, this year to ask for a substantial gay agency heads, hosted members and SAGE two days and talked about network includes the increase from the New York the reception for the Queens met with members what had been accom - Rainbow Aging Alliance State Assembly, which had network. Governor Spitzer in Queens. SAGE met plished. Partnership (RAAP), com - not raised its level of sup - and Lieutenant Governor with legislators from There is more work to be prised of SAGE as the lead port for several years David Patterson (a long- , including done, of course, but the organization, with SAGE despite the growth in time supporter of SAGE) Assembly Members Danny success we had in explain - Queens and GRIOT Circle. service needs and in the were both on-hand — O’Donnell, Jonathan Bing ing our concerns and the Also in the network number of network mem - something that hasn’t hap - and Linda Rosenthal, and warmth and receptivity we are other senior GLBT serv - ber organizations seeking pened in many years — to with aides for Deborah experienced convinced us ice providers, like SAGE funding. With a promise of officially welcome the Glick and Dick Gottfried. that the atmosphere in Upstate (Syracuse), along increased funding con - group. It was a busy day, with state government has really with GLBT community and trolled by Governor Elliot In addition, SAGE and groups of GLBT people improved for our com- health centers and agencies Spitzer, the network hoped our sister GLBT aging scouring the capitol build - munities (meeting with serving youth, victims of that the assembly would groups had an opportunity ing to find their assembly openly GLBT assembly violence and people of step up to the plate and to make direct contact with members’ offices and then members and agency heads color. increase their share too. many important agency crowding into them as best helped matters as well). We SAGE and other members In fact, Governor Spitzer’s representatives, including they could. Fortunately, we felt lucky to be living in a of the network make an support for the network the new leadership from met with overwhelming time of opportunity for annual trip in February on made a substantial contri - the State Office for the support. Deborah Glick GLBT people. what is called Advocacy bution to the entire Aging. We see these early and Danny O’Donnell had We hope a rainbow is Day to lobby for govern - Advocacy Day experience contacts as the beginning already started circulating a rising in Albany, and we ment funding as the legis - this year. A two-day event of a relationship with the letter through the assembly intend to do whatever is lature begins the process of comprised of one day of Spitzer Administration that asking members to sign necessary to make that hammering out the next training and a second day we look forward to building on for increased network hope a reality. ■

McNally’s Some Men Supports SAGE

SAGE Board Member Brian C. Craig and Terrence McNally and Erik Falkensteen with Marin Mazzie and Tom Kirdahy

SAGE joined award-winning playwright Terrence McNally in hosting an evening of cocktails and culture to raise funds for the

organization. The evening featured a showing of McNally’s new play Some Men at the 2econd Stage Theatre. McNally said SAGE played

a major role in the development of the play, which explores the lives of different generations of New York .

Special friends Nathan Lane, Marian Seldes, and Marin Mazzie were on hand to support SAGE at a pre-show dinner, as was Tom Kirdahy,

McNally’s partner and fellow SAGE Award honoree. Kirdahy was awarded SAGE’s Ken Dawson Advocacy Award and McNally

received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. SUMMER 2007 matters 05

Gayby Boomers Fight Retirement Discrimination in New Mexico

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 article, as well as Mary Meyer and Hope Miner. All of the Web Site Educates about Marriage Rights couples face financial hardship due to discrimination in Through Stories of Ten GLBT Couples the current retirement system. McCreary, a self-employed realtor in Albuquerque and The website www.10couples.org provides a glimpse into a native of New Mexico, was covered for many years under Novak’s state health plan. Novak, who spent ten gay and lesbian couples whose lives are affected twenty-five years working for the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth, and Families, retired in by their inability to marry legally. The site is set up to 2004. At that point, McCreary was notified that she was no longer eligible for benefits under Novak’s plan, even simulate an average living room with each couple telling though she would have continued to receive coverage if she and McCreary were married. their own story through a video clip, describing how the Dakota faces the same fate when Levitt, a lifetime resident of New Mexico, retires from her position as a denial of state and federal marriage benefits affects healthcare, inheritance taxes, teacher with the Albuquerque School District. Dakota, who conducts statewide tobacco education programs immigration and various other issues. through her consulting firm and is also the part-time director of the Albuquerque Independent Business The site, sponsored by the ACLU, provides a link to send to friends and family Alliance, doesn’t get health coverage through her work. Discrimination in retirement benefits imposes huge to help them see the impact of marriage inequality on everyday and unfair burdens on these couples. For example, the high costs of purchasing just catastrophic health coverage people like themselves. It also contains information on what you can do to would force them to make painful financial and health tradeoffs not required of heterosexual spouses of retired advance the struggle for marriage equality. government employees. Fortunately, they’ve decided to stand up for themselves. “We have a responsibility to fight, both for ourselves and for the gay men and who are a generation above us who feel too afraid to say who they are,” Novak recent - ly told the News. Novak and her plaintiff colleagues have put their strug - gle before the public eye, facing media coverage and reactions from their community. Fortunately, much of the feedback has been quite supportive. Levitt found solidarity among her teacher colleagues, as well as some positive reactions from her students. McCreary tells of a former client who, upon learning about the lawsuit, called to tell her and Novak that, “We are all behind you.” The couples pursuing this important lawsuit are opti - mistic that they will prevail in the end, partly because they have faith in their state. Levitt and Dakota proudly point out that New Mexico is one of the few states that has not adopted the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). And McCreary emphasizes the state’s early enactment of Heather and Carol are featured in a video clip on www.10couples.org. the Equal Rights Amendment and support for a woman’s Heather (above right) tells about being denied the right to make a critical healthcare right to choose. decision for Carol because their healthcare proxy papers were at home. “The fact is if But, from SAGE’s perspective, what New Mexico most I walked in and was a male and said I was Carol’s husband, you guys wouldn’t be has going for it is the strength and courage of a new hassling me like this,” she told the emergency room doctors treating her partner. generation of GLBT older people who are determined to find their place in the world of retirement. ■

The story of Dick and Bob (pictured above) is included on www.10couples.org. They have been together since 1955, yet have no spousal benefits whatsoever. “Legally we are nothing to each other,” says Bob, “even after 50 years.” 06 matters SUMMER 2007 Retirement Planning Is Important for GLBT Couples and Singles BY TRUMBULL ROGERS

There seems to be more Walling, a financial advisor how much retirement will versus renting, which will company does not offer a and more talk these days with Tower Square cost you. have an impact on your retiree health plan, you will about retirement planning. Securities, who provided One reason retirement retirement. have to find supplemental Some people say that GLBT the majority of the infor - planning is especially Couples have some addi - coverage. singles need to be especial - mation for this article, important for singles is that tional things to consider. In addition, you should ly motivated to make a “There are many important they have only one income First, legal protections for explore disability and long- move in this direction, on factors when considering to build a stable retirement same-sex couples who term care (LTC) insurance. the theory that they may retirement if you are an around. If you want to break up are incomplete. When considering disabili - not be as focused on the aging member of the GLBT travel, you might want to When buying life insur - ty insurance, check the rat - future as are couples. It’s community.” consider working a couple ance, look for companies ings of the companies and not quite the grasshopper One involves invest - of years beyond your target that offer gay-friendly poli - go with a firm with a solid attitude, but couples may ments. Walling advises retirement date and put - cies, such as policies that reputation. end up talking about the that you consider reassess - ting the money away for include automatic insur - LTC insurance can be future more, and retire - ing the aggression level of this purpose. able interest for beneficiar - expensive, but there are ment may seem a long way your investments, because Caregiving is something ies in domestic partner - more options available off to some singles. there isn’t as much time for else for singles (and cou - ships and gay marriages. today than ever before. For Whether you are a GLBT your assets to recover. ples) to think about. In Since most mutual fund example, you can save by single or a couple, the first Alternately, in the case that order to be sure there is companies do not aggre - choosing an LTC policy just and perhaps most impor - you are not going to hit someone to care for you if gate contributions for gay for home care or just for tant thing you need to do is your goal, you may want to you fall ill, it is a good idea couples, look for compa - care in a facility. Also, look find a financial advisor to take more risk in the short - to explore your options nies that aggregate house - for companies that offer help you with your retire - ened period. early on. And since recent hold accounts. That way same-sex couples’ dis - ment planning. It should - Another thing to do is to research shows that gay you can save on the counts on LTC policies; n’t be just any financial check your retirement people end up being the entrance fee (load). savings can be significant. advisor, but one with account beneficiaries. Not caregiver for ailing parents As we age, health insur - Again, investigate the whom you feel completely all pensions allow domestic just as often as their hetero - ance becomes increasingly options and make your comfortable. partners to be beneficiaries, sexual siblings, it is impor - important. Most people determinations with your The person you choose so check with your pension tant to have protection for are eligible for Medicare financial advisor. must be able to get inside provider before making any aged family members (e.g., once they turn 65, but Thomas J. Walling has your head and understand retirement plans. You also long-term care insurance to Medicare on its own will offered workshops on how you feel about finan - need to make sure your help with financial costs) probably not cover all your retirement planning at cial matters. In order to estate plan works in con - so that this cost doesn’t eat healthcare expenses. If you SAGE. He can be reached help him/her to do this, cert with your financial away at your own retire - have health insurance at at (518) 878-1294. ■ you need to be completely plan. Your financial advi - ment funds. the place where you work, honest in detailing your sor is best suited to help Finally, there are lifestyle Cobra will continue it for likes and dislikes. you with these matters, as issues to consider, such as 18 months after you retire. According to Thomas J. well as with determining owning your own home But after that, if your

Judith E. Turkel Is New Co-Chair of SAGE Board

SAGE recently announced the exciting board of Lambda Legal Defense & community leader, her many years of news that prominent lesbian attorney Education Fund from 1987 to 1989. She board service, and her deep commitment Judith E. Turkel has been elected co-chair was one of the founding members and first to this community’s seniors make her of the SAGE Board of Directors. vice president of New York City’s GLBT Bar invaluable — she’s like a dream come Turkel brings a wealth of critically Association — LeGal. Turkel joined the true,” Adams added. important experience to her new position. SAGE board in 2005. Turkel’s new leadership role reflects She is a partner in the widely “I am thrilled to be taking on SAGE’s continued commitment to serve respected law firm Turkel this important new leadership older women in the GLBT community Forman & de la Vega LLP; her role for the nation’s oldest and effectively. SAGE is in the process of practice has a special emphasis largest organization serving changing its by-laws to require that one of on the needs of GLBT people and advocating for GLBT its two board co-chairs be a woman, and in and others in unrecognized seniors,” Turkel recently told the years ahead hopes to continue or non-traditional families. SAGE Matters. “The challenges strengthening its programming of special Turkel’s areas of focus include faced by older members of interest to women. real estate, family law, wills our community are of great Says Turkel: “It’s important to me that and estates as well as advance concern to me, and SAGE is any organization I help lead be deeply directives like health care proxies and the place where those challenges get committed to the women of our com- powers of attorney. addressed,” she added. munity. I know that commitment is there Turkel has been a leader in the GLBT Turkel assumes her leadership role at a at SAGE, and that’s part of what inspires community for many years, and has held critical time in SAGE’s history, with the me to do this work.” leadership positions on the boards of some ranks of GLBT older people swelling as Turkel joins fellow SAGE Board of the community’s most prominent insti - Baby Boomers start to enter their senior Co-Chair Lawrence N. Chanen, a senior tutions. She served as the president of the years. “I couldn’t imagine a better candi - vice president in the legal department board of the LGBT Community Center date than Judith Turkel to help lead our at JP Morgan Chase. Chanen is from 1995 to 2000, vice president of the board into a new era,” said SAGE Executive starting his second year at the SAGE board of the Paul Rapoport Foundation Director Michael Adams. board’s helm. ■ from 1993 to 1996, and co-chair of the “Judith’s extraordinary experience as a SUMMER 2007 matters 07 SAGE Volunteers Recognized for Years of Service

BY LIZ FERRIS Long-time volunteers and was a member of the Jerre Kalbas and Phyllis SAGE Women’s Task Force Seigel were recognized in for two years. Today Phyllis February for their work works on the SAGE with SAGE by the Retired Women’s Dance Com- and Senior Volunteer mittee. Program (RSVP). They were “I work the front door, each named a “Sweetheart hand out tickets, flirt, of a Volunteer” at a cruise and make people Valentine's Day breakfast laugh. Through SAGE I sponsored by RSVP and learned just how much I Con Edison. love meeting and greet - I recently spoke with Jerre ing,” which explains all the and Phyllis, both of whom years of hosting SAGE’s first came to SAGE many Volunteer Orientation with years ago and are still very Dick Leonard. She also likes involved with the SAGE to help with ad hoc events family. SAGE seems to when she gets the call. have been as important to Phyllis is one of the most Jerre Kalbas (left) is a SAGE pioneer. She participated in some of the organization’s earliest both of their lives as they optimistic people I’ve ever planning meetings and remains an active volunteer with the SAGE Socials Committee and have been to the life of the met. She has terrific friends, the SAGE Women’s Dance Committee. Phyllis Siegel has been a vital member of the SAGE organization. whom she describes as family since she started volunteering over 15 years ago. For several years, she hosted I reminded Phyllis, 72, “people of honesty and SAGE’s Volunteer Orientation and served on the board of directors. Both women that I had once profiled her integrity,” and is still very in the SAGE newsletter but close to her long-time have been honored as SAGE Volunteers of the Year. couldn’t remember the friend and one-time part - year. “I wasn’t nearly as ner, Connie Kopelov. “I interesting back then,” she love my life,” she says. “I feared it was catching, she days when they took place and wiring. told me, but I can attest can’t wait to get up in the happened to meet SAGE every month and were Jerre had a successful hip she's a pretty engaging per - morning.” founder Chris Almvig, who attended equally by men replacement sixteen years son today. Jerre Kalbas reminds me invited her to a meeting. and women, young and ago and has arthritis in her The once very reserved that it was 1983 when I first Jerre went on to become an old. She also runs raffles knees, but despite that, she Phyllis used opportunities profiled her in the SAGE active member of the new four times a year for the continues many of the offered at SAGE to break newsletter, after which peo - organization. “I thought it SAGE women’s dances. activities she always out of her shyness. “I was ple sometimes recognized was a great thing, great “The Dance Committee is enjoyed. She swims for painfully shy before I dis - her as she walked around for me at that time in my the greatest and I’m having exercise. She continues to covered SAGE,” she tells the Village. She’s 89 now, life, and I was kept very a lot of fun doing it.” design and make silver me. “So I decided to join a but on the phone I still busy. We did a lot of good Jerre and Adrian Mayer, jewelry. committee. Gradually I hear the youthful sixty-five even at the beginning,” she long-time SAGE newspaper Jerre doesn’t feel she learned to speak up and she was back then. Over tells me. editor and board member, needs SAGE services but found that people listened. thirty years ago Jerre had After all these years, Jerre were the first co-hosts of keeps in touch with the SAGE brought me out, out breast cancer, long before is still on the SAGE Socials SAGE’s Drop-in Center. SAGE social worker. “It’s of myself,” she tells me. Betty Ford shocked the Committee. For years a She regularly worked the mostly been a social thing Over the years of her nation and took the disease regular fixture in the SAGE flea markets. Later, for me,” she says. “But involvement with SAGE, out of the closet. kitchen, she now conducts when SAGE moved into a some day I might need it Phyllis has been on numer - During this low point in the raffles. The socials are new office, Jerre, a virtual and it’ll be there for me.” ■ ous committees. She was her life, feeling shunned by held only four times a year jack of all trades, pitched in on the board for four years women who ignorantly now, and Jerre misses the with plastering, painting

GRIOT Circle Talks to SAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 saw the SAGE contingent and was very moved by it. So I’ve had a place in my heart for SAGE and this organization’s work ever since then. Put that together with having done GLBT work for almost a decade before coming here, it just seemed like a really wonderful place to be able to come and work, so it has been a very exciting opportunity for me.

Glen: I think GRIOT is kind of providence for me. I remember as a young boy, always being comfortable around elders. I always looked to the elders for inspiration; I never had friends my age. All the experience I’ve had throughout the years has basically culminated into this position. Regina [Shavers, GRIOT executive director] and I knew each other back in the late 1980s labor union days. We were part of the Dinkins’ Administration and the first Pride at Work organizing in New York, so we have a long-standing relationship of collaboration. When this organization was reaching out for a program director, Regina looked to me to become that, and so it was just organic from that point on. ■ 08 matters SUMMER 2007

Let’s Re-think Aging: Boomers Move into Spotlight at ASA Conference

BY MICHAEL ADAMS, SAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Recently SAGE Clinical of its sheer size. It wel - country (including a visit older GLBT constituents, know us yet. That’s how Director Catherine comed more than 4,000 to the impressive new finding new ways to share we’re going to build a Thurston and I traveled to participants and featured space of SAGE’s latest affili - SAGE’s vast body of experi - world that’s more welcom - Chicago to attend the Joint over 900 sessions. The ate — SAGE at the Center ence is crucial. ing to older people without Conference of the sessions were divided into on Halstead). We’re fortunate to have regard to their sexual orien - American Society on Aging tracks on everything from Nonetheless, SAGE con - the American Society on tation or . (ASA) and the National “housing and aging” tinues to play a unique role Aging as an ally in SAGE’s At SAGE we’re already Council on Aging (NCOA). to Alzheimer’s Disease to at these gatherings because work. For years the ASA working on new strategies Aptly titled “Let’s Re-Think healthcare to “retirement we are the oldest and by has shown a strong interest to break down more walls Aging,” the conference had issues and financial far the largest organization in GLBT issues. SAGE was in the year ahead, includ - its eyes set on the future. planning.” dedicated to serving the one of the founding mem - ing at the next ASA confer - After all, the Boomers are And yes, there was a track needs of GLBT older bers of the ASA’s Lesbian ence. We’ll bring main - coming! of workshops on “Gay and people. If anything, the and Gay Aging Issues stream senior agencies into Offering workshops with Lesbian Aging Issues.” This miniscule number of peo - Network (LGAIN), which the discussion of GLBT names like “Money, is one of the reasons why it ple representing GLBT helps make sure that GLBT issues, and we’ll take the Boomers & the New was so important for programs underscored that issues are not forgotten in discussion to them when - Retirement,” much confer - Catherine and me to be SAGE is more important national policy and pro - ever possible. That’s why I ence energy was focused on there — to remind the than ever. gram discussions about am excited to be one of the the evolving demands on “mainstream” aging world As recognition grows of aging. I’m pleased to be an featured speakers at this organizations, like SAGE, that GLBT older people are the need to make a space active member of LGAIN’s summer’s AARP Diversity that are dedicated to serv - an important part of their for GLBT older people Leadership Council, and in Aging Conference. ing and advocating for constituency, and that our throughout the country, so we continue to identify Some day, there may not older people. It wasn’t pos - numbers are growing! grows the demand for new ways for SAGE and be a need for a special “gay sible to be in Chicago that Fortunately, SAGE is no training and technical ASA to work together for and lesbian” track at con - weekend (or at least any - longer as lonely a voice as it assistance from SAGE. Our the benefit of GLBT older ferences like this. But we where near our conference once was at conferences pioneer programs serving people. have a lot of work to do hotel) without being con - like this. In fact there was a GLBT seniors in New But there is still so much before we get to that great stantly reminded that small but spirited contin - York City have always work to be done. At the day. Until then, SAGE will organizations focusing on gent of GLBT activists, pol - forged new directions and Chicago conference, most continue to ensure recogni - seniors occupy one of the icy advocates, social work - created new models for of those attending the gay tion and support for GLBT most dynamic and fastest- ers and other professionals other communities to and lesbian workshops older people. ■ changing sectors of our on hand in Chicago. We adapt and replicate. As were, guess what …. GLBT society. got to spend some great other communities across people. While we like to The ASA/NCOA conference time with our cadre of the country gear up to talk to our friends, we need was amazing partly because colleagues from around the serve and support their to talk to those who don’t

remember sage in your will 

For more information, In March, SAGE played host to Dr. Douglas call Alan Francisco-Tipgos at (212) 741-0381 Kimmel, one of the organization’s founding members. Kimmel was in town to present his new book, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Aging: Research and Clinical Perspectives, which he co-edited with Tara Rose and Steven David. Published by Columbia University Press in 2006, the book includes a chapter on SAGE. See page 11 for a review. SUMMER 2007 matters 09

Senior Artists Find Joy and Community through Their Art

BY BARRY CHERIN

Mort Silk (age 85) and Silk paints in oils and Bay Wolins, a scenic designer, Sonja Bay (age 83) have a paints in watercolors but began instructing and lot in common. They are most of their art work uses inspiring a group of nine not only gay and lesbian basic, bright primary colors artists who met regularly at senior citizens who meet at and shows an optimism SAGE. Silk and Bay remain SAGE once a week to that reflects their personali - from that original group — express their artistic sides. ties. Neither paints at home they meet at SAGE every Their art, too, has qualities but only at SAGE’s space at week to encourage each in common even though the LGBT Community other in their painting. each paints in a different Center. Their persistence (and that medium. About eight years ago, Joe of Robert Gable, long-time

Mort Silk and Sonja Bay meet weekly to create art in SAGE’s space at the LGBT Community Center.

A painting by senior artist and SAGE member Robert Gable. SAGE sponsored an exhibit of Gable’s work entitled “Bodies Barbara Gittings, Long-Time Beautiful — A Retrospective” at the LGBT Community Center. SAGE member whose canvas and paint supplies. GLBT Activist, Passes Away paintings were recently Life is short and if this is exhibited at the LGBT what you enjoy doing, do it.” SAGE mourns the passing of Barbara Gittings, a pioneer in the 20th century Community Center) is Bay, who was born in inspiring SAGE to launch a Holland, was an art histori - struggle for gay and lesbian rights. Gittings was active in the early new artists group in the an at Yale and then the movement of the 1950s and , and founded the New York chapter of months ahead. Guggenheim. Her work, Silk, who worked for the sometimes using collages, the in 1958. She challenged some of the early board of education for 30 shows the childlike inno - movement’s assimilationist policies when she participated in one of the first years as a teacher and later, cent side of a very sophisti - a principal, used photogra - cated woman. pickets of the White House in 1965 to fight anti-gay discrimination in phy as a hobby and got “I started with this group federal employment. artistic fulfillment from after I retired,” says Bay. “I Gittings later joined with activist in his campaign to have printing his photographs thought it would be inter - removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of in various ways. esting to express myself in mental disorders. In 1971, the two sat on a panel at the annual APA He then moved to a dif - color. Painting doesn’t convention to debate the topic and invited a gay psychiatrist wearing a ferent artistic medium by involve courage; it just disguise to read a statement. In 1973, their campaign succeeded when painting from his own por - means making time to do the APA Board of Trustees removed homosexuality from its list of mental trait photography, eventu - one’s art. People think they disorders. ally branching out into have to be artistic to do this Gittings also worked tirelessly to make GLBT literature more accessible non-representative art. but it’s not necessary. It is a for readers and researchers. Although she was not a professional librarian, Some of his current works relaxing thing to do for fun she became a crucial part of the Gay Task Force of the American Library include a lesbian breast- and fulfillment.” Association, which emerged in the early 1970s. In 1986, the year she feeding her child and a Both Silk and Bay have stepped down as coordinator of the Gay Task Force, she announced the lively rendering of musical had their work exhibited at success of her efforts to make the Gay Book Award an official award notes on a scale very much the LGBT Community recognized by the ALA. in the tradition of Disney’s Center and, while neither In 1997, Gittings received a SAGE Award in honor of her many years of “Fantasia.” ever expects to make it to leadership on behalf of the GLBT community. To would-be artists who MOMA, they are inspiring Gittings died of breast cancer on February 18, 2007, at age 74. She is don’t have the courage to examples of seniors who survived by her partner of 46 years, Kay Tobin Lahusen. ■ take that first stroke, Silk have found joy and advises, “If you want to community through their paint, you just need a art. ■ 10 matters SUMMER 2007

GLBT ELDERS AROUND THE COUNTRY GLBT Seniors in Milwaukee Have a Place to Be Old and Gay

BY BETH KLING A moderate sized city of movement for GLBT rights. Murray gathered over 50 worker, and three years also of PFLAG, the Lesbian approximately 1.5 million He also founded an STD members of the Milwaukee later he obtained a grant Alliance, the youth group people, Milwaukee has a clinic in Milwaukee, and GLBT elder community to from a major foundation Project Q, and others, has pretty active GLBT com - helped to start the present what he had dis - to hire a full-time sponsored holiday and munity. The city hosts Milwaukee AIDS Project, covered — that becoming a executive director for SAGE summer events that bring two annual GLBT sports which exists today as the senior doesn’t mean you Milwaukee. Since then, old and young GLBTs tournaments, the Holiday AIDS Resource Center of stop living, that older peo - SAGE Milwaukee’s services, together. Invitational Bowling Wisconsin. ple should take ownership programming, and partici - SAGE Milwaukee is also Tournament and the But when Murray retired for their own aging process, pation have grown expo - working to ensure that Dairyland Classic Softball at age 65, he was facing a and that the elder commu - nentially. GLBT people continue to Tournament. “When Murray formed be at the table among Milwaukee also has an and grew this organization, mainstream aging commu - LGBT community center he opened a million doors nity services in Milwaukee. and three local universities for gay seniors,” said Bill Through Murray’s work with active gay/straight Serpe, who was hired as with the Milwaukee alliances. In recent years, SAGE Milwaukee’s execu - Department for the Aging, aging GLBTs have a voice tive director in 2004. Serpe has secured a seat on in the community and a “Milwaukee is not nearly as the board of directors place to be older and gay big as New York, and it’s a of one of the major thanks to SAGE Milwaukee, lot more difficult to be out components of that an organization that is on the street here than in a agency. As Serpe explained, growing tremendously. big city. This gives elders in Milwaukee has a vibrant The story of SAGE our community a chance mainstream senior com - Milwaukee’s founding, by a to be out and themselves munity with five major man named Eldon Murray with people who are like senior centers around the in 1994, is a testament to them.” county, and GLBT seniors the power of individuals to In 2004, SAGE Milwaukee can make greater use of make a difference in the life held approximately 50 these services. of a community by work - events that drew about 500 Eldon Murray passed ing to improve their own people; in 2005, the num - away at age 77 on March 5, lives. And it’s a demonstra - Eldon Murray, founder of SAGE Milwaukee. bers of events and partici - and a memorial was held in tion of how SAGE’s work in pants literally doubled. his honor at the New York City can have a future in a city with noth - nity in Milwaukee needed Serpe said 2006 saw a 20 Washington Park Senior positive influence on the ing to offer older GLBTs like to form an organization of percent increase above Center in Milwaukee on lives of GLBTs around the himself. So he began to its own. In January 1994, 2005 numbers. March 31. He will always country. search for other resources Murray founded SAGE But larger numbers are be remembered for his Eldon Murray was an for gay seniors around Milwaukee. not the only indication tremendous contributions activist in the community the country, and in the Throughout the 1990s, of SAGE Milwaukee’s to Milwaukee’s GLBT long before he founded process he discovered SAGE Murray headed SAGE growing influence. The community and for the SAGE Milwaukee. Murray in New York. After contact - Milwaukee with the help of organization is helping significant difference he had helped to form the Gay ing SAGE, he flew to about 25 other volunteers. to integrate GLBT elders made in the lives of GLBT People’s Union in New York City to see first - Six years ago, Murray into Milwaukee’s gay seniors through SAGE Milwaukee in the 1970s hand the kinds of services secured funding from the community by serving on Milwaukee. ■ and was later recognized as and programming SAGE Milwaukee Department for the Rainbow Community one of the most influential provided. the Aging to hire a part- Committee of Milwaukee. leaders in the national After he flew home, time professional social The committee, comprised

Take Control of Your Health and Life Decisions

MMake a free appointment at SAGE’s legal clinic today. We’ll provide information on all of the legal documents you will need to protect your healthcare and legacy. Call 212-741-2247. SUMMER 2007 matters 11

HIV Services in Harlem REVIEWS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lacking the services they need. “We provide GLBT people in our Harlem program with a safe environment to be who they are, and that’s what we are trying to do for aging GLBTs with HIV.” SAGE has begun developing programs for this population, including separate support groups for women and men. SAGE is collaborating with Harlem United to provide an ongoing support group for gay and bisexual HIV+ men over 50. SAGE is teaming up with FACES, Forging Ahead for Community Empowerment and Support, to develop a support group for HIV/AIDS- infected lesbian and bisexual women over 50. These groups provide emotional support that lead to stronger coping mechanisms for people with HIV. SAGE is also doing some collaborative work with Gay Men of African My One Night Stand with Cancer Descent (GMAD) to help older men initiate more con - Tania Katan scious decision-making and negotiate safer practices in 275 Pages, Alyson Books, 2005 their sex lives. Additionally, SAGE is working to connect GLBT older I laughed so hard I cried while reading this smart, quirky, charming, and hilar - people with HIV to treatment and services in Harlem. In iously funny memoir about, of all things, breast cancer. Tania Katan recounts March, SAGE collaborated with GMHC to provide a day her two-time struggle with the disease — first, at the shockingly young age of 21 of testing for women in Harlem that brought such a great and again at age 30 — in a deftly written narrative that offers a young per - response it was offered again in May to both women and spective on a disease that usually afflicts older women. men. And SAGE is offering programming to reach Katan takes us through tales of the two “toxic” girlfriends who discovered each Spanish-speaking communities, including a lunch-time lump, several insensitive and sometimes inappropriate health care workers, and discussion on HIV and safer sex, presented in Spanish at the countless fears, anxieties, and indignities experienced by anyone who deals the Leonard Covello Senior Center in Harlem. with serious illness. But Katan has the genuine support of her family through In addition to collaborating with other agencies to her illnesses, and a couple of very caring girlfriends along the way. We also get provide programming, SAGE is involved with both the to read about how Katan runs a 10K race topless. It’s this image I like best, Katan Central Harlem HIV Care Network and the East Harlem baring her breastless torso and showing off her scars (she opted for “tattoo HIV Care Network, associations of community-based surgery” rather than reconstructive surgery). Revealing her pain and her groups offering prevention programs and services for strength is something she does to great effect throughout the book. people affected by HIV. In addition to participating in a — Beth Kling group raising community awareness about HIV program - ming, SAGE served on the planning committee for the East Harlem Profile HIV Conference in March. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging: Both Weber and Bermudez agree that the goal of Research and Clinical Perspectives collaborating with other Harlem-area organizations is to Edited by Douglas Kimmel, Tara Rose, and Steven David integrate SAGE’s services for GLBT seniors into the 303 Pages, Columbia University Press, 2006 existing networks of HIV programs in Harlem. “SAGE’s goal is to help a group of people — GLBT older This book was developed following a symposium on GLBT aging at the people — who sometimes get left behind when it comes annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2002. Even to HIV programs. We don’t want to duplicate services; we though some of the information has been superseded and updated by new want to build on what already exists,” said Weber, who legislation (e.g., some new state laws), the book is a gold mine of information on explained that SAGE plays the crucial role of being the GLBT elders, covering such topics as trans and bisexual aging, sexuality in the only organization within the HIV care networks that lives of aging lesbian and bisexual women, gay men and aging, legal concerns concentrates on GLBT elders. for GLBT elders, end-of-life issues, and SAGE, to name some. Since the chapters “People tell us they’re glad we’re involved because no are mostly written by researchers in the various areas listed, the writing can be other organization has this focus. Our goal is to offer that dry and clinical, but no other book has brought together such an inclusive range perspective and to connect older GLBTs with HIV to of topics focused on GLBT elders, making it a unique and comprehensive source services they feel comfortable accessing.” ■ book on the subject. If you have concerns on any of these topics, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging is a good place to start looking. — Trumbull Rogers RainbowVision Club Condo

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