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The Newspaper on LGBT Aging
matters
FALL 2008
View SAGE’s Calendar On-line! 30th Anniversary Gala SAGE’s Fourth National
and SAGE Awards Conference on LGBT Aging
For the most up-to-date information >>Held October 14, 2008. Honorees >>Held October 12-14, 2008 at
on SAGE’s programs and events, include Prof. Charlotte Bunch, New York Marriott at the Brooklyn
visit www.sageusa.org Martina Navratilova, and Village Bridge. Sponsored by AARP.
Care of NY.
A Trip to Wal-Mart Raises Awareness
about LGBT Senior Issues In this Edition . . .
This edition of SAGE Matters features articles
related to SAGE’s Fourth National Conference
on LGBT Aging, sponsored by AARP and
held October 12-14, 2008. The Conference,
titled, “It’s About Time: LGBT Aging in a
Changing World,” addresses the following
themes:
History: See page 9 for a story about one of SAGE’s
founders. SAGE’s beginnings will be featured through-
out the 2008 Conference.
Visibility: See page 1 for a story about SAGE’s work to
raise awareness of LGBT aging issues at Wal-Mart.
Diversity: See page 3 for a story featuring Karyne
Jones, CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Black
SAGE’s Executive Director Michael Adams met with Wal-Mart representatives.
Aged, who is scheduled to speak at a plenary session on
October 14th.
BY MIKE NADEAU
SAGE has explored diverse venues for educating the public about the needs of the Technology: See pages 1 and 11 for articles about
aging LGBT community. One such opportunity arose recently at Wal-Mart’s SAGE’s growing technological resources for LGBT aging
people. Conference attendees will have the chance to
international headquarters in Bentonville, Georgia. SAGE’s Executive Director visit SAGE’s new Cyber Center, and to hear how SAGE
Michael Adams traveled to Bentonville last spring to meet with company is using the internet to serve seniors.
spokespeople as well as approximately 150 local Wal-Mart employees.
Community: See page 5 for a story about MCC’s
The purpose of the meeting was to draw attention to the challenges facing seniors in plan for a faith-based LGBT retirement community.
minority communities. To that end, Michael served on a panel with representatives SAGE will hold a preconference institute to bring
from other minority senior organizations, including the National Asian Pacific Center on together MCC and other groups building and running
Aging, the National Caucus on the Black Aged, the National Hispanic Council on Aging, LGBT senior housing.
and the National Indian Council on Aging. The panel also included Jonathan Kaufman,
founder and president of DisabilityWorks, Inc. Growth: See page 2 for a story about SAGE Affiliates,
“LGBT older people as a population were not much on the radar screen of Wal-Mart who will hold a preconference Institute on “How to
prior to this convening,” said Michael Adams, who explained that SAGE’s inclusion in Build a SAGE Program.”
Continued on page 9
F I R S T C Y B E R C E N T E R F O R L G B T S E N I O R S O P E N S AT S A G E
On July 15, SAGE and City Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Chair of the Committee on
Technology in Government, celebrated the opening of the first-ever fully-equipped
Cyber Center for LGBT Seniors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the SAGE offices.
The SAGE Cyber Center offers classes for beginners two times a week, by Older Adults
Technology Services (OATS). They teach users how to operate the mouse and keyboard,
as well as navigate Windows, the Internet and e-mail. Classes began earlier this year in
intergenerational collaboration between SAGE, OATS, and the LGBT Community
Center’s Youth Enrichment Services (YES) program, in which youth acted as
instructional assistants, providing some hands-on support to the seniors as the
instructor took them through the class. The first class of seniors graduated in April 2008.
To find out more about the Cyber Center, or to register for classes, contact New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer cutting the ribbon at the
Doreen Bermudez at (212) 741-2247, ext. 242. opening of SAGE’s Cyber Center. (photo credit © Donna F. Aceto, 2008)02 matters F A L L 2 0 0 8
SAGE Affiliates from around the Country Gather in Milwaukee
For the first time, SAGE and the majority of SAGENet organizations from around the
country met for a weekend designed just for them. SAGENet organizations are
Where Are the SAGE Programs?
affiliated with SAGE and share SAGE’s commitment of serving LGBT seniors.
SAGE (Main offices in Chelsea, with locations in
Representatives from SAGE, CenterSAGE (Kingston, New York), SAGE Long-Island,
Greenwich Village and Harlem)
SAGE at the Center on Halsted (Chicago), SAGE Milwaukee, SAGE/Queens (New York)
305 Seventh Avenue, Sixth Floor
and SAGE South Florida got together to share their thoughts, successes, and challenges.
New York, NY 10001
The conference was hosted in Milwaukee, home to the second oldest SAGE program
(212) 741-2247
in the country, and a very welcoming community. SAGE Milwaukee board members
pitched in to offer rides to and from the airport, and the Milwaukee LGBT Center hosted www.sageusa.org
a reception for SAGENet. Local philanthropist Joe Pabst, a long-time supporter of
Milwaukee-based LGBT causes, sponsored the SAGENet Sunday brunch. SAGE Milwaukee CenterSAGE
board member Roger Uscila said simply: “We were really happy to have you here. It was Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
an honor.” P.O. Box 3994
Kingston, NY 12402
(845) 331-5300
SAGE at the Center on Halsted, Chicago, IL
3656 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 472-6469 x 160
SAGE Long Island
34 Park Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706-7309
(631) 665-2300
SAGE Milwaukee
1825 North Farwell Avenue, Ste. 220
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 224-0517
Representatives from SAGE affiliates pose for a photo in Milwaukee. SAGE of California
3138 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103-5839
The SAGE affiliates in attendance ranged in size, geography, and budget, with the (619) 298-9900
majority of SAGE programs having no more than one full-time staff person. Yet, despite
the differences in sizes of programs and services, the groups all concurred on a shared SAGE/Queens, a program of Queens Community House
mission: to improve the overall quality of life for LGBT seniors, to foster a greater 74-09 37th Avenue, #409
understanding of aging in all communities, and to promote positive images of LGBT life Jackson Heights, NY 11372
in later years. (718) 533-6459
This mission is reflected in the SAGE Memorandum of Agreement, created by SAGE in
2006 to better codify the relationships SAGE has with affiliates, and to control the use of SAGE South Florida
the SAGE “brand.” 8333 W. McNab Road, Ste. 239
SAGE’s director of advocacy & training, Karen Taylor, led the attendees through a Tamarac, FL 33321
series of sessions addressing commonalities among the groups. Members shared (954) 720-0833
information on how to build programs and services, and conducted breakout sessions to
develop job descriptions for volunteers. SAGE Upstate
“It was very enlightening, and very engaging,” said Ron Cantena, SAGE South Florida P.O. Box 6271
board member. “I never lost interest in what was being presented.” Vanessa Shelmandine, Syracuse, NY 13217
program coordinator for CenterSAGE at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center took it one (315) 478-1923
step further. “I have enough information after this weekend to put together at least four
presentations for our program,” she said. SAGEs Under Development
As the weekend developed, several ideas came forward that the SAGENet affiliates
thought should be developed further as joint opportunities and even national initiatives. SAGE of Metro St. Louis
One idea centered on working together to promote volunteer involvement, since all of http://sagemetrostl.org/news.aspx
SAGENet programs rely strongly on volunteers for nearly every component of their
activities. SAGE Executive Director Michael Adams noted that there are several SAGE Denver
foundations interested in strengthening civic engagement that would be more inclined
Continued on page 11 SAGE of Western New York
matters The Newspaper on LGBT Aging
PUBLISHER: David Rubeo. EDITOR IN CHIEF: Beth Kling. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Liz Ferris, Mike Nadeau, Garrison
Phillips, Trumbull Rogers. DESIGNER: Ken Pfeifer. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Lawrence N. Chanen, Esq., Co-Chair
Judith E. Turkel, Esq., Co-Chair • Caroline G. Garcia, Treasurer • Jon Nathanson, Secretary • Phillip A. Saperia,
Executive Committee Member-at-Large • David W. Canter, Esq. • Peter Catenacci, CFP • Brian C. Craig, MBA • Casey D. Crawford
Mark D’Alessio • Allen M. Harvey, CPA • Beth Jones, RLP ® • Joan Koenig • Melora Love • Stacia Murphy
Ralph M. Randazzo, Esq. • 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.
sagematters@sageusa.org. 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 2008.
To learn more about SAGE, please call (212) 741-2247 or visit www.sageusa.orgF A L L 2 0 0 8 matters 03
SAGE Talks to National Caucus and Center on Black Aged
Karyne Jones, CEO of the communities we will live in working steadfastly toward particularly for older Americans. exist as long as there are
National Caucus and Center in, recreational activities, fairness and equity for all All of our aging organiza- human beings who perceive
on Black Aged (NCBA), access to health, just about seniors. tions should form a strong themselves as superior to
and Michael Adams, Exec- every aspect of living a coalition to make this a pri- other people who may be
utive Director of SAGE, quality life. As a result, pol- MA: I know that NCBA ority with the new Admin- different from themselves.
talk about “diversity in icy and legislative advocacy has been a leader in helping istration. As people age and As an African-American
aging” and how SAGE and are even more important in make affordable housing retire or become unable to female, I have always un-
NCBA can work together ensuring that the future — available for black seniors. work, many who were derstood the need to be
to advance a shared agenda our golden years — is inclu- This is one area where the barely able to pay rent or aware of this fact in any
for older people from sive of all kinds of people LGBT community is just keep their homes while environment, but to never
minority communities. and cultures. starting to scratch the working will be unable to do let it deter me from moving
NCBA, founded in 1970, is so without some assistance. forward.
dedicated to improving With the ongoing tragedy Whether black or LGBT
the quality of life for of the housing market, or both, it continues to be
elderly African-Americans there is no greater time to our mission to change the
and low-income minorities. focus on developing a hous- attitudes of society and cre-
ing development policy for ate communities that are
Michael Adams: In June senior affordable housing. politically active and work-
I hit my two-year mark as And as in previous years, ing to ensure that the
SAGE’s executive director, just like we need an atmos- laws and principles of
at the same time that the phere that encourages de- non-discrimination are
agency is celebrating its veloping communities that followed. That requires
30th Anniversary. So I’ve are safe and comfortable for keeping people who share
been thinking about the people of color, so should our interests informed,
ways in which things attention be given to LGBT developing advocates and
evolve over time at organi- seniors. experts in every aging
zations like SAGE, and also Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE (left), field, forming stronger
what doesn’t change. and Karyne Jones, CEO, National Caucus and MA: Discrimination is coalitions with main-
For SAGE, some of what’s Center on Black Aged still a big problem stream organizations, and
changed is scale — even
though we still don’t have MA: You and I have been
the budget required to fully on some conference panels
address the needs of LGBT together over the past year, “Poor seniors of any race or sexual
seniors, we’ve grown quite and during those discus-
a bit from our early days sions I’ve been struck by the orientation remain the most vulnerable to
working out of a supporter’s “cross-over issues” — the
apartment. Part of what things that are very impor- being excluded from public policies and
remains the same is SAGE’s tant to both LGBT older
role in reminding the LGBT people and black seniors. funding decisions in housing, health and
community, which is too One of the issues that
“young” to have a long comes up over and over employment,” says Karyne Jones.
tradition of honoring our again is healthcare. Afford-
elders, of the importance of able housing is another
supporting and respecting theme that seems to be a
our pioneer generations. mainstay. And of course surface. At SAGE, we fre- confronting LGBT older establishing political
What do you see as some of there is the perennial issue quently hear from LGBT people. Far too often alliances with elected offi-
the changes versus the con- of funding for senior service seniors that one of their top SAGE’s constituents face cials and policy makers and
stants during your tenure programs. What kinds of concerns is having an ap- hostility or forced invisibil- holding them accountable
at NCBA? overlap do you see in terms propriate and supportive ity when they try to take to our communities.
of the interests of our place to live as they grow advantage of services at sen-
Karyne Jones: The one respective constituencies? older. What are some of the ior centers or need home MA: Unfortunately, for
thing that never changes is And do you think there are lessons that SAGE and the care or nursing home care. the past seven-plus years
that people don’t think of ways that organizations like LGBT community could That’s part of the reason the Bush Administration
themselves as “elder.” So SAGE and NCBA can work learn from NCBA based on SAGE exists — to offer an has shown unremitting
just getting people to self- together to advance a your experience in the affirming environment hostility to legislative and
identify or even be realistic shared agenda? senior housing arena? where LGBT s e n i o r s a r e policy efforts designed to
about the inevitable is a guaranteed respectful improve the lot of LGBT
constant. In every com- KJ: Discrimination, big- KJ: Our housing program treatment and appropriate people, making progress on
munity, the biggest task is otry, and racism are still began in the late sixties and services. LGBT senior issues just
getting people to under- quite prevalent in our early seventies when there But we know that we about impossible at the fed-
stand that aging is not just country and remain the was a real and genuine can’t create a complete eral level. Discrimination
old people; aging is all of us subjects people do not want focus on providing afford- parallel universe of services against same-sex couples
who will be blessed with a to openly admit to or con- able, safe and supportive for LGBT seniors. There when it comes to Social
long life. Though every- front. Ultimately, our cross- communities, especially for will never be enough re- Security survivor and spousal
thing must change, that over issues are economic. people of color. Not since sources for that. And if benefits and Medicaid
concept of aging remains Poor seniors of any race or then have we seen that there were it would result in “spend-down” protections
constant. sexual orientation remain kind of commitment, a segregation of our con- are just a couple of federal
What I am observing the most vulnerable to which is why our develop- stituents that would be issues that need to be
since becoming a profes- being excluded from public ments are all reaching 25 – problematic for many rea- addressed. We’re hopeful
sional in aging in the last policies and funding 30 years of age. In the 80’s, sons. How has NCBA tried about forward movement
five years is a generation of decisions in housing, we witnessed a completely to deal with issues of with the next Administration
people who are beginning health and employment. different policy towards discrimination in the — it’s hard to imagine it
to define how we age. The Our organizations cannot housing for low-income “mainstream” aging world? getting much worse on
expectations of our senior be exclusive of each other people. And as a result, SAGE’s issues! What kinds
years are changing — when in striving to remedy the ills there was a tremendous KJ: Prejudice and dis- of opportunities and challenges
we retire, what kind of of an intolerant culture and increase in homelessness, crimination will always Continued on page 604 matters F A L L 2 0 0 8
30th Anniversary Gala and SAGE Awards
SAGE to Honor Charlotte Bunch, Village Care of NY, and Martina Navratilova
SAGE is celebrating our 30th Anniversary This year’s event is co-chaired by Henry van Previous SAGE Award recipients have
on October 14, 2008, at the Metropolitan Ameringen & Dorothy Sander and will be hosted included: Edward Albee, Governor David
Pavilion in New York City. We will honor byTony-AwardwinnerDenisO’Hare(TakeMeOut). Paterson, Dr. Mathilde Krim, Quentin Crisp,
acclaimed human rights activist Charlotte The SAGE Awards are presented annually Paul Cadmus, John Kander and Fred Ebb,
Bunch with the first Joyce Warshow Lifetime to individuals who have made significant Margarita Lopez, Arthur Laurents, New York
Achievement Award. Tennis great Martina contributions to LGBT culture and history. Community Trust, City Council Speaker
Navratilova will also receive a SAGE Corporations and organizations have also Christine Quinn, Dr. Renee Richards,
Award, and Village Care of New York and CEO been honored for championing public and JP Morgan Chase, Phillip Reed and Julie Wilson.
Arthur Webb will be awarded for Village private policies that have enriched the For information about purchasing tickets,
Care’s innovative partnership with SAGE to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender tables or sponsorship, please call the SAGE
better serve all the seniors of New York City. community. Development department at (212) 741-2247.
Professor Charlotte Bunch
Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award
Martina Navratilova: Helping Aging
Charlotte Bunch is a graduate of Duke University with a B.A. in History People Lead Active, Healthy Lives
and Political Science. A Board of Governor’s Distinguished Service
Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies, Bunch founded the Center for
Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers in 1989. She remains the
executive director and in 1996 was inducted into the National Women’s
Hall of Fame.
Professor Bunch was selected by President Bill Clinton in 1999 as a
recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights. She has
served on numerous boards and is currently a member of the Advisory
Committee for the Human Rights Watch, and on the Boards of the Global
Fund for Women and the International Council on Human Rights Policy.
She has been a consultant to many United Nations bodies and
recently served on the Advisory Committee for the Secretary General’s
“I think we have a tendency to look for quick fixes and easy solutions
2006 Report to the General Assembly on Violence against Women.
to leading healthy, active lifestyles and my goal is to let my generation
know that though staying fit takes work, it’s just as important now —
Village Care of New York if not more — than ever before,” said Martina Navratilova, who was
SAGE Award named AARP’s Health and Fitness Ambassador last December.
Ms. Navratilova engages with AARP members through the organi-
Village Care of New York is a community-based, not-for-profit service
zation’s Fitness Website, www.AARPfitness.com, which provides tools
organization serving the city’s older adults, persons living with HIV/AIDS and information to make it easier to live a healthy life at age 50+.
and individuals in need of medical and rehabilitation services. Village Members can access tips, exercise routines, Q&As and video messages
Care provides leadership to improve the health and quality of life as well specifically geared to addressing health concerns and questions of the
50+ and boomer demographic. Below are Martina’s favorite wellness tips.
as the quality of care and well-being of the diverse New York com-
munities it serves. It performs this work in an environment of hope and
acceptance respecting people of all cultures, genders, sexual Martina’s Tips
orientations, races, ages and creeds. 1. Make over your kitchen. If your fridge and pantry are filled with
Through support and self-directed care, Village Care enables the cookies, chips, and other diet disasters, hide them, or
people it serves to maintain their independence and control their own better yet, get rid of them. Then hit places like specialty stores,
co-ops, gourmet delis, farmers’ markets, and community-
care. Village Care’s numerous programs build on experience gained from
supported agriculture programs to stock up on organically grown
many years of assisting people facing the physical, emotional and fruits, vegetables, and grains.
spiritual challenges associated with illness, aging, disability and death.
2. Pile more “raw foods” on your plate. Raw foods fill you up so
Martina Navratilova you lose weight more easily. They can reduce total cholesterol, as
well as LDL cholesterol (the kind that gums up arteries) and help
SAGE Award
normalize blood pressure. They also improve your digestion.
Martina Navratilova is the best female tennis player of the modern era,
and arguably the greatest in the history of the sport. She has amassed an 3. Juice up. I have noticed that I am much more energetic in the
unmatched number of professional records over the course of a career morning if I start the day with a fresh juice. One of my favorite
juices is carrot-apple juice made from six large carrots and two
that spanned an amazing four decades. In 2000, she was inducted into
apples. Juicing is also a refreshing way to introduce raw foods into
the Tennis Hall of Fame, and in September 2006, six weeks shy of her your body.
50th birthday, she won the mixed doubles title at the US Open, her 59th
Grand Slam title. 4. Break out of your exercise rut. This might include playing sports
you enjoy, working in the yard, or doing easy-on-the-joint aqua
Ms. Navratilova has also proved to be an accomplished humanitarian
activities such as swimming or water aerobics.
and public figure with her involvement in numerous charitable organi-
zations around the world. She is also well-known as a champion for the For more tips and additional fitness tools and educational
health and wellness of people of all generations. In 2007, she was named resources, visit www.AARPfitness.com. ■
the Health and Fitness Ambassador to AARP’s 39 million members.F A L L 2 0 0 8 matters 05
Metropolitan Community Church to Build LGBT Retirement Communities
BY BETH KLING congregations that fully
embraces lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender
LGBT Retirement Communities
Requests for LGBT senior housing are among the most urgent
people. The church encour- Several LGBT senior housing communities are currently in
inquiries made by individuals seeking services from SAGE. ages people of all faiths to
existence or under development across the country. SAGE
Several years ago, SAGE investigated the possibility of creating feel at home in their
Matters reported on Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing’s Triangle
LGBT Elder Housing, eventually concluding that we were not worship services, a practice
Square, in our Winter 2008 edition.
which will carry over into
yet equipped to take on such an ambitious new project. its retirement facility.
• Triangle Square, located in Los Angeles, offers 104
That didn’t stop others from pursuing the dream. Rainbow People of all sexual
independent living rental units, all priced for moderate to
Vision ™, a market-rate retirement community, has been in orientations will be
welcome as well. lower income residents. The complex includes a full-size
operation for two years and is building new properties. The swimming pool, a media room, a gym, and other amenities.
“This is part of a long-
low-income Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing at Triangle Square ™ term strategic initiative for SAGE is working with Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing to
us,” said Rev. Love, who create social services for the residents and for the larger GLBT
has been open since 2007.
explained that the Contin- elder community in Los Angeles. For more information,
SAGE’s Fourth National Conference on LGBT Aging brings visit www.gleh.org.
uing Care Retirement Com-
these groups and others together for a Preconference Intensive munity (CCRC) planned for
entitled, “Structuring Your Community’s Conversation Sarasota is just the begin- • Openhouse, planned for construction on the former
ning of a commitment University of California’s Berkeley Extension campus in San
on Choosing a Model of Intentional & Inclusive
MCC has made to serving Francisco, will offer up to 88 independent living units
Communities.” As expected in the LGBT community, many LGBT older people for gays and lesbians 55 and older. The rental facility will
of these models challenge mainstream assumptions about who throughout the country. be 100 perce nt affordable. Vis i t t heir web site,
The project began after www.openhouse-sf.org, to get the latest news about the plan.
we are in exciting, creative ways. And as in the story of MCC’s
MCC was made aware of
new senior housing initiative, these groups are breaking ground the intense need for LGBT- • Barbary Lane, based in Oakland, is a renovated 1927 Art
in using mainstream sources to turn their dreams into reality. affirmative retirement facil- Deco hotel with on-site spa, fitness rooms, and library, along
ities by AARP, which sought with spacious rooms (see www.barbarylanesenior.com). It is
“We are trying to do the last 60 years to its participation in a market rate-facility offering a range of independent living
something that, as far as we construct senior housing developing an internal
and continuing care options for LGBT seniors.
know, has never been done projects. As Rev. Love training document.
before,” said Rev. Dr. Cindi explained, these facilities “After reading all the
• Rainbow Vision in Santa Fe, New Mexico, offers
Love, executive director of have explicitly excluded research that they accumu-
independent living and assisted living options at a market
the Universal Fellowship of gay or lesbian cohabiting lated, it really made us
rate, and includes amenities such as concierge services, first-
Metropolitan Community couples. MCC intends aware that LGBT seniors in
some cases almost had to go class dining, spas, and cabaret lounge. Rainbow Vision
Churches (MCC). Rev. to provide faith-based
back in the closet, if not communities are also being developed in Palm Springs,
Love was referring to the independent living and
literally, when they needed California, the San Francisco Bay area, and Vancouver
organization’s plan to build continuing care options for
a faith-based retirement LGBT aging couples and continuing care or a retire- (visit www.rainbowvisionprop.com).
community for LGBT singles, people with HIV, ment facility with assisted
people using government- and other vulnerable living,” explained Love. • Stonewall Communities, Inc. is developing Stonewall at
issued tax-exempt bonds. populations, starting with a MCC began its initiative Audubon Circle in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston.
This funding method has facility in Sarasota, Florida. by conducting major The facility will offer 53 elegant units, along with amenities
been employed by several MCC is a global market research over a designed to “offer a vigorous urban lifestyle in the heart of a
mainstream churches over fellowship of Christian continued on page 6 supportive community” (see www.stonewallcommunities.com).
SAGE and the $1 Million Calamus Challenge Grant
HOW YOU CAN PLAY A PART
The LGBT community is now at a unique moment in time. . . . Baby Boomers are retiring
in record numbers. . . . In New York City alone, the number of LGBT seniors will increase
by more than 60 percent in the next twenty years.
To address the needs and demands of our exploding LGBT Boomer population, SAGE has
envisioned a Strategic Plan which will be seeded through an historic partnership with the
Calamus Foundation Challenge Grant.
The $1 Million Calamus Challenge Grant will:
1) provide new social service programs to LGBT seniors in NYC;
2) give technical assistance to new SAGEs across the country to replicate
our programs;
3) create a network of LGBT aging advocates for increased government funding
and public policy support.
The Calamus Challenge Grant will be awarded to SAGE over the next 4 years, and will
require matching funds from SAGE donors during this period. Won’t you please make a
donation to SAGE now, and play your part in ensuring that SAGE will always be a home
and a community for those who need it!06 matters F A L L 2 0 0 8
“Ask the Expert”: A New Online Service at sageusa.org
Visit sageusa.org to access Hypertension, bone disease. the AIDS organizations in
a new service provided by The medical professional your area to see what kinds
SAGE. “Ask the Expert” you choose needs to be a of lists they have. Some sen-
gives you the opportunity specialist in HIV and ior centers are very sophis-
to submit questions on is- knowledgeable regarding ticated about HIV and may
sues that affect LGBT aging treatment strategies for HIV have their own referral lists.
people, including legal drug resistance and new You could also call your city
rights, life planning, social- HIV drugs for patients with Department of Aging and
izing within the LGBT resistance. If you are inter- ask your question.
aging community, finding ested in researching via No matter how you find
LGBT-friendly housing, liv- computer, several web sites this physician, the most
ing longer with HIV, and offer helpful guidance: important point to remem-
others. Our participating Kenneth Stewart Harold Kooden ber is that this is a person
experts will answer your GayHealth: with whom you are going
questions online. your physician — not just gayhealth.com his practice to do research to have a working relation-
an appointment now and on HIV, then he must have ship. In my experience, it is
We p ut the f ol lowi ng then. It is essential for all Gay Men’s Health Crisis: access to a network of essential to have a physi-
q ue s t io n t o t w o o f o u r patients to feel comfortable gmhc.org physicians, patients and cian with whom you can
experts : with their medical researchers who could pos- have a dialogue, regardless
I am a male senior living providers. Concealing prob- GRIOT (Gay Reunion in sibly help you with your of his/her qualifications. I
with HIV and my current lems and more seriously Our Time) Circle is a question. see the physician/patient
physician has closed his office concealing one’s entire grassroots organization for Have you talked this over relationship as a mutual
to devote his time to HIV identity does not allow for older LGBT citizens. It is with your friends? This is partnership where it is
research. I would like to find a healing and growth physi- associated with Gay Men’s another way to access an al- essential that you are an
doctor who specifically deals cally or psychologically. Health Crisis (GMHC): ready existing network. active participant.
with gay patients, preferably a Physicians will only be able griotcircle.org You could also call the Please do not discount
doctor who is gay. It is very to offer superficial help if LGBT Community Center what you can bring to this
important to me that this patients don’t present ACRIA offers extensive at (212) 620-7310 to see if relationship and teach your
doctor not only is knowledge- themselves honestly. research and materials on they have referral lists; if physician. I say this as you
able about HIV/AIDS in older I consulted with Dr. HIV and aging: you are outside of New may not find someone who
adults, but also understands Lawrence Hitzeman, MD, acria.org York, you could call them as is both HIV and LGBT
LGBT aging issues. What an HIV provider at the they have a guide to LGBT senior savvy, but the
resources exist that can help Village Care of New York New York Association of centers in the USA. Ask them relationship with you may
me find a qualified physician? Health Center in Manhat- HIV Over Fifty: for the one closest to you. complete his or her education.
tan. He noted that all HIV nyahof.org You could call SAGE at
Kenneth Stewart, Director providers working with (212) 741-2247 for information To read more questions
of Case Management for HIV-positive older adults Dr Harold Kooden, (or if you are outside of New and answers, and to
Village Care, NY, gave the need to have awareness of Clinical Psychologist, added: York, you could call SAGE submit your own questions,
following response: other aging concerns: heart First of all, have you asked to see if there is a local visit “Ask the Expert” at
It is clear that you value disease, kidney disease, your physician for a recom- SAGE near you). And I http://ask.sageusa.org. ■
having a relationship with brain function, Diabetes, mendation? If he is closing would also suggest calling
SAGE Talks to NCBA Continued from page 3 MCC to Build Retirement Communities Continued from page 5
do you see given the reality of a new President in the
White House in 2009?
two-year period. The research, which clearly established that LGBT seniors are con-
KJ: Too numerous to mention! So many issues have been cerned about finding LGBT-affirmative housing where they can get their health needs
neglected for the last decade. Our agenda, however, will met, was required for the church to secure tax-exempt bond funding to build the
certainly focus on issues of mutual interest such as afford- Sarasota facility.
able housing, employment opportunities, healthcare, and This funding method makes MCC’s proposed facility different from other existing or
the list goes on. We are cognizant that the next Adminis- currently planned LGBT-affirmative retirement facilities (see sidebar, page 5), which are
tration will have major challenges to address as a result of financed by combinations of private money, nonprofit support, and government subsidies.
our economic woes. But we feel confident that if we work The tax-exempt bond funding will enable MCC (which is working in collaboration
together for senior issues, most of our concerns will with the private developer Affirmative/Hillspoint, LLC), to provide a far greater array of
warrant and receive the attention they desperately need. services and amenities than would be possible if the project were funded solely with
money raised by the organization. The proposed project will include independent
MA: We’re thrilled that you will be a part of our plenary living options and continuing care options, although the extent of this care is still being
session, “Diversity and Aging: Adding LGBT into the Mix,” determined.
at SAGE’s 4th National LGBT Aging Conference this fall. I The facility will also offer a number of amenities, including flexible dining options,
know our conference participants will learn a lot from pools, and workout facilities, and will be situated close to local stores, golf courses, and
your presentation. Is there anything in particular you beaches in Sarasota. The proposed plan also includes a public theatre space where local
hope to take away from the Conference? arts groups can perform, drawing the neighborhood into the facility and further
integrating LGBT older people into the community.
KJ: I hope to establish a relationship with many of the Since qualifying for tax-exempt bond funding requires adherence to strict criteria (none
participants to learn how we can collaborate on the many of it written with the needs of LGBT aging people in mind), MCC will move carefully to
things I have discussed. We at NCBA still have a lot to ensure the continuing economic viability of the Sarasota community. The success of
learn about the LGBT community, as they do of us. We this venture will provide the foundation for MCC to create future communities around
know we have far more commonalities than differences. the country, where they identify a similar need. Some of the facilities may include
More so, I hope that the LGBT community works with affordable or low-income housing.
NCBA to ensure that our memberships practice what we “If we can demonstrate that we can build sustainable projects that fit the criteria of
preach and that black LGBT people are an active part of tax-exempt bond status and that appeal to the marketplace,” explained Rev. Love, “then
your mission as we hope they will be active in ours. ■ we will get support for more projects in the future.” ■F A L L 2 0 0 8 matters 07
SAGE Offers Services for LGBT Older People SAGE provides dozens of activities, groups, and programs
to encourage LGBT seniors to connect with each other and
with the community.
Support Groups Discounted Theater Tickets Informational Programming HIV Services SAGE Curriculum:
SAGE HIV Positive 50+ Support Drama Class Computer Classes Social Activities “No Need to Fear,
Bereavement Group Harlem Book Club Health and Wellness Uptown SAGE Neighbors No Need to Hide”
Caregiver Support Group Harlem Cultural Programming Heritage and History Monthly Socialization SAGE Matters Newspaper
Friendship Circle at Casa Frela Gallery Money & Finance Programming SAGE National Conference on
Gay Widowers Support Group Morning at the Opera – Safety & the Law LGBT Aging
Men’s Coming Out Appreciation & Discussion Group Community Partner Website www.sageusa.org
MS Support Group Movement & Dance Workshops Women’s Programming Collaborations World AIDS Day activities
New Beginnings – Harlem Gay SAGE Film Series Harlem Women’s Mixer AIDS Community Research
& Bisexual Men’s HIV Positive SAGE Singers Harlem Women’s Support Group Initiative of America (ACRIA) Services for Caregivers
45+ Support Group Senior Art Show Women’s Dances Caring Community Center Respite Services
New Connections – Women’s Women’s Discussion Groups Carter Burden Senior Center Caregiver Support Group
40’s & 50’s Support Group Social & Wellness Programming Women’s History Month Events Congregation Beth Simchat Financial Assistance for
Older Than Springtime – Men’s Brunch Bunch Women’s Monthly Birthday Torah (CBST) Caregiving Needs
Support Group Bus Trips Party Gay Men of African Descent Friendly Visiting
Wednesday Afternoon Women’s Cyber Center Drop-in Women: Our Spiritual Journeys (GMAD) Assistance with Home Care
Support Group Dating & Relationship Women’s Parties Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) Assistance with Adult Day
Workshops Women’s Support Groups Greenwich House Services
Discussion Groups Daily Drop-In Center GRIOT Circle Information and Referral
Conscious Creative Aging Drop-In Monthly Birthday Party Clinical/Counseling Services Harlem United
Life Issues: Beyond Retirement Drop-In Parties Case Management Kennedy Senior Center SAGE Positive Programming
Men’s 40+ Rap Flu Shots Individual Counseling Leonard Covello Senior Center Gay Men’s HIV+ Social
Men’s 50+ Rap Gay Pride Activities HIV Related Counseling Older Adults Technology w/Village Care
Our Birthdays, Our Stories – Harlem Fabulous Fridays Group Counseling Services (OATS) HIV Case Management &
Women’s Monthly Birthday Holiday Parties Benefits Counseling ReServe Counseling
Discussion Group LGBT Senior Health Fair Legal Counseling SAGE Long Island HIV 50+ Men’s Support
Senior Elders: 75+ Support SAGE Socials Walk-In Social Services Clinic SAGE/Queens Groups – SAGE at the Center
Tuesday Daytime Discussion SAGE Walks Help Finding a Safe & Friendly Silver Connections, the Loft HIV 40+ Men’s Support
Women: Our Spiritual Journeys SAGERCIZE Class Long-Term Care Facility in Westchester Group – Harlem
Scrabble & Bridge Help Finding Homecare Union Settlement Senior Centers w/Harlem United
Community Meetings Women’s Monthly Birthday Information and Referral Village Care of New York HIV Prevention & Education –
Focus Groups Party Harlem
Monthly Drop-In Community Women’s Dances SAGE Communities Education & Advocacy HIV Testing w/Community
Meetings Women’s Parties Community Street Fairs & HIV & Aging Advocacy Partners – Harlem
SAGE HEAT Monthly Program Tabling National Black HIV Awareness Day
Planning Meetings Helping Services Information & Referral New York City Senior Advocacy Day Volunteer Services
Benefits Counseling Informational Presentations New York State Equality & Friendly Visitor Trainings
Art & Cultural Programs Friendly Visitors Harlem Book Club Justice Day & Senior Summit & Support Meetings
Art Studio Legal Clinic Harlem Fabulous Fridays Older Adults & HIV Training Monthly Speakers’ Bureau &
Author Book Readings Lend-a-Hand Harlem HEAT Meetings Initiative Advocate Meetings
Booklovers’ Discussion Group Harlem’s 40+ HIV Positive SAGEConnect Monthly Volunteer Orientation
Creative Writing Workshop Support Group
BY LIZ FERRIS Manhattan would be able to Community House, as it
receive similar services and pro- was then called, had a mis-
There are ten SAGE affiliates around the country,
grams in their own borough. sion of bringing together
each operating independently but with a shared mission: With the support of the economically, ethni-
to provide a safe and welcoming space to lesbian, gay, SAGE, a delegation of cally and racially diverse
bisexual and transgender older adults, and to increase Queens LGBT activists residents of the com-
approached then-Borough munity.
the visibility of LGBT senior issues in the community.
President Claire Schulman “We build all of our
There are different models of SAGE programs, and about the idea. The services from expressed
several of these will be highlighted at SAGE’s Fourth Borough President was very community need. Our
National Conference on LGBT Aging. enthusiastic, but suggested policy has been never to Lew Harris, Executive Director,
that the group identify a walk away from an identi- Queens Community House
Queens-based agency to fied need,” says Lew (who
Only one SAGE affiliate is part of a non-LGBT help get the program off the will retire in 2010 after services department
agency. This is the story of SAGE/Queens, a program of ground. The activists then nearly thirty years). includes SAGE/Queens and
Queens Community House. approached Lew Harris, the The first programs were a four other senior centers, a
Executive Director of children’s program and a social adult day care pro-
For over 30 years, Queens past 12 years by SAGE/ Queens Community House, summer day camp, and gram, case management
Community House (QCH) Queens under the umbrella about incorporating such a eventually they started pro- services, meals on wheels,
has been serving the people of QCH. program into his organiza- grams for senior citizens. transportation assistance,
of Queens, New York, indis- In 1996, Queens LGBT tion. In other words, a Today Queens Commu- and the Forest Hills Natu-
putably the most culturally residents approached mainstream social services nity House (renamed to re- rally Occurring Retirement
and linguistically diverse of Arlene Kochman (then organization was being flect its wider reach) has Community (NORC) program.
any area in the United SAGE Executive Director), asked to start a center for over 400 full- and part-time QCH also runs Genera-
States (138 languages are with an idea to build a LGBT seniors. staff and 20 sites around the tion Q, a program serving
spoken in Queens, accord- SAGE affiliate. The residents The choice to work with borough, serving over LGBTQ youth, based in
ing to an official source). felt that by replicating the Queens Community House 20,000 people annually. Astoria. The agency
Included in this mix is a Manhattan-based model, made a lot of sense. An original budget of regularly runs cultural
sizeable gay and lesbian LGBT seniors who found it Opened in 1975 with three $200,000 has grown to over competency trainings, and
population, served for the difficult to commute to staff members, Forest Hills $13 million. The senior continued on page 11F A L L 2 0 0 8 matters 09
C E L E B R AT I N G 3 0 Y E A R S
Natt Nevins and the Beginnings of SAGE
BY GARRISON PHILLIPS result, a mutual friend con- organizations, but they
One focus of the pre-conference nected Nat with Chris declined. Then she turned
institute of SAGE’s Fourth Almvig so that the two to the National Gay and
National Conference presents could discuss the need for Lesbian Task Force for help,
the best practices in building an intergenerational group asking if SAGE could
a SAGE program. To this to help lesbian and gay “piggy-back” on a Task
end, SAGE Matters looks seniors. Chris was attending Force mailing. All SAGE
back to SAGE’s early days Graduate School at the New had to provide was self-ad-
from one of the wonderful, School and was a major dressed, stamped envelopes
inspired, and dedicated volunteer with the Gay for the returning correspon-
founders of the organization. Switchboard at the time. dence. This mailing marked
Her name is Natt Nevins, Chris and Natt spoke for the beginning of a continu-
and Garrison Phillips had hours on the telephone on ing association of mutual
the pleasure of interviewing a number of occasions and help and admiration
her for this article. when Chris set up a first between the Task Force and
meeting, Natt asked her SAGE.
Natt Nevins has a fascinat- longtime friend, Jerre Fortunately, the mailing
Left: Natt Nevins, in the early 1980s, with
ing background, including Kalbas, to go with her. Also was a success. The funds it
Ken Dawson, SAGE’s second executive director.
serving as an entertainer for in attendance were Dr. garnered, plus a grant of
Right: Natt today, with her beloved pets.
the troops during the Korean Emery Hetrick, Jim Dorf, $34,000 from the Greater
War (see sidebar for more and Babette Beckerd. New York Fund, allowed a Natt Nevins was a member of the vocal group, “Tops in
information). In the days The group continued to search committee to begin Blue,” which entertained troops across the United States,
before SAGE came into meet, often in the Upper looking for an executive in Europe, and in Korea during that conflict. The U.S. Air
being in the 1970s, she was West Side apartment of director. In 1980, Jim Force awarded her two “Rogers,” silver statuettes
working as director of the Chris and her partner Carol Flannagan was hired, and modeled on the Oscar, for excellence in performance.
Burrwood Home for the until the organization he served for a year. He was She displays these awards in her Greenwich Village apartment.
Blind (Aged) in Cold Spring moved to St. Luke’s Church followed in this position by
Harbor, Long Island. In this in their first year. By then, the legendary Ken Dawson, Natt had volunteered for the Air Force after finishing two
capacity, Natt was already SAGE also had a name and and SAGE was on its way to years at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. She said
serving LGBT seniors, find- a board president, Dr. becoming the incredible, she was bored and needed to escape from her family.
ing a place at Burrwood for Emery Hetrick. But the resourceful, successful, sen- (She later earned a bachelor’s degree from Empire State
a blind, gay, senior man organization had no ior services organization of College in New York City.)
who had been abandoned money, no mailing list, and the LGBT Community that
by his family. very few resources. it is today. And this would Three-and-a-half years after signing up for the Air Force,
Natt’s loving help of this Working to change this not have happened without Natt married a gay man to get out of service. She says,
man did not go unnoticed situation, Natt asked for Natt and all the others who with some delight, that she and her husband spent their
by others in the gay care- funding assistance from worked those first few years wedding night taking turns at the wheel as they raced
giving community. As a a couple of gay-friendly to create what is now SAGE. back to Texas to join their respective lovers. ■
SAGE Makes a Trip to Wal-Mart
Continued from page 1
this conference provided an older. Among its other con- employment non-discrimi- a lack of family relation- Aging in the 21st Century.
opportunity not only to tributions to the mature nation policy does not ex- ships.” Given these needs, The conference was organ-
re-emphasize the challenges community, Wal-Mart lists tend to the transgender existing Wal-Mart pro- ized by Gloria Cavanaugh,
shared by all minority “affordable healthcare and community. Wal-Mart has grams, such as personal who is currently a consult-
seniors, but also to bring to access to more than 2,000 also paid less attention to shoppers, may be especially ant with AARP’s Office of
light the unique needs of generic prescriptions for $4 LGBT senior communities beneficial to seniors lacking Diversity and Inclusion,
the LGBT senior community. on Wal-Mart health plans.” than it has to other senior access to traditional support and who previously led the
The panelists led a ques- The company has also minority populations. systems. American Society on Aging
tion/answer forum attended recognized the importance as its president for 30 years.
by Wal-Mart associates from of addressing the diversity SAGE also participated in
their national headquarters. within the senior com- Michael Adams’ participation in the that conference, which in-
They also had the opportu- munity, listing among its cluded many of the organi-
nity to meet with company partners the four ethnicity- conference will hopefully raise awareness zations that later attended
spokespeople, including based organizations attend- the Wal-Mart meeting.
about LGBT senior issues at Walmart.
Bruce Gillespie, from ing the conference. A t S A G E ’s F o u r t h
Wal-Mart’s LGBT Employee But the company has National Conference, mem-
Resource Group (ERG). been less inclusive of LGBT bers of the panel will recon-
In many ways, Wal-Mart people, particularly in its Michael Adams’ presence The Wal-Mart conference vene in the plenary session
is a receptive audience for employment policies. Un- at the conference will hope- is not the first time that titled “Diversity and Aging:
this type of discussion, as like major competitors such fully raise awareness of SAGE has joined forces with Adding LGBT into the
the company prides itself as Target, Best Buy, Costco, LGBT senior issues so that other minority organiza- Mix.” And SAGE will con-
on its commitment to the Federated Department the company can begin to tions to raise awareness of tinue to advocate for the
senior community. Wal-Mart’s Stores (Macy’s), Walgreen’s redress this imbalance. He the issues facing seniors in unique needs of aging
“Mature Community Fact and Sears Holding spoke of “the relative social minority communities. In LGBTs, especially in under-
Sheet” spells out their Corporation (Sears/K-Mart), isolation of many LGBT June of 2007, SAGE was served populations, among
achievements, including Wal-Mart continues to deny seniors,” explaining that invited to participate in healthcare organizations,
the hiring of more than its “affordable healthcare” seniors in LGBT communi- a Washington, DC-based multinational corporations,
355,000 “associates” who to domestic partners. ties “often lack a social conference sponsored by and other institutions that
are 50 years of age and Additionally, Wal-Mart’s support network because of AARP on Diversity and affect our lives. ■10 matters F A L L 2 0 0 8
SAGE Milestones: LGBT Seniors Turn 90, and 100
BY TRUMBULL ROGERS AND on mental health, as well as cisco, where he found work
BETH KLING promotional reviews of and a dream apartment on
such related movies as Nob Hill with a view of
Long-time SAGE mem- 1948’s The Snake Pit. Mount Tamalpias and the
bers are reaching mile- Golden Gate Bridge. When
stones in their lives, just as Art Roloff his company moved its
the organization celebrates Art Roloff has enjoyed af- headquarters to New York
its 30th anniversary. ternoon games of Scrabble City, he came too.
in the SAGE drop-in room Since the War, Art’s exten-
Jack Neher for about 20 years, which is sive travels have taken him
John (“Jack”) Neher, who how long he’s been a SAGE to all of the states in the
turned 90 in February, says member. At 90 years old, Union, except Vermont,
a friend who knew long- he’s grateful, and a little and through most of Canada.
time SAGE volunteer surprised, to have outlived
Adrian Mayer, encouraged some of his younger relatives. Gerry Faier
him to join SAGE back in its Art was born in Winona, On August 7, 2008, Gerry
early years. Yet it wasn’t Minnesota, where he lived Faier became 100 years old.
until about 15 years ago for the first 35 years of his An avid reader, a gifted
that he joined his first SAGE life, except for the war years storyteller, and a writer,
activity — a class in Italian.
When the class ended three
years later, he became a Art Roloff says he is never bored. He spends much of
charter member of the his day at the Center, where he loves to play Scrabble in
opera group, which led to the SAGE drop-in room or in the garden.
his being asked to lead a
group on musical theater.
He agreed, but insisted that
it focus on musicals of the
1930s and 1940s.
Besides these SAGE activi-
ties, Jack is a founder of the
Upper West Side SAGE
Neighbors, where he serves
on the planning commit-
tee. In this capacity, he has
Photos by Trumbull Rogers and Beth Kling
started and run several
programs for the group, in-
cluding a highly successful
evening of words and music
by Jerry Herman; a political Jack Neher says being a member of SAGE has brought
meeting where the featured him many new friends and helps keep him active.
guest was City Council
Member Gale Brewer; and a (1941–1945). He was Gerry was in her 70s when
program of highlights from drafted into the Army Air she became involved with
movie musicals. Corps in 1941 and was SAGE. Chris Almvig, one of
Not long ago, Jack bought stationed at March Field SAGE’s founders, had en-
a computer and took a class near Riverside, California. couraged her to join SAGE’s
to learn how to use it. His After the Japanese attacked writing group in the late Gerry Faier was honored by Congregation Beth Simchat
first project was to write a Pearl Harbor, he was trans- 1970s. Gerry took this Torah and SAGE on the day after her 100th birthday last August.
memoir of his early career, ferred to the Naval Air Sta- advice and participated
which he is publishing with tion on North Island near long enough to contribute
a vanity press. San Diego; ultimately his to three books published by their two children alone. her long-time partner. The
Jack’s first job was as a squadron was sent to an the group. Her involve- Gerry had her first lesbian two lived together in
page at NBC, where he met airfield near Cambridge, ment in SAGE didn’t end experience in the 1930s in Queens and were a couple
some of the celebrities who England. there, though. Woodstock, but she didn’t for more than 35 years.
performed on the radio. Art spent much of his off “I became a public enter the Greenwich Village In recent years, Gerry’s
One, the opera singer time in London, where he speaker in no time,” she gay scene until the 1940s. activities have slowed
Eleanor Steber, asked him says there was great theater says, recounting her experi- During her first visit to a down. But she still recalls,
to hold her dog, while Julia “for almost nothing.” In ences lecturing to college gay bar, she felt extremely wryly, the various ways she
Sanderson, best known for fact, he was in London on students all over the state self-conscious as the other was involved with SAGE
singing the Jerome Kern VE Day, and says, “It was about lesbian and gay patrons stared at her profes- from early on.
song “They’ll Never Believe great — the lights came on seniors. She attended sional attire. After walking “I’ll never forget one time
Me” in the hit musical The and I remember standing in conferences in Washington, in, then ordering and I went to SAGE’s office,
Girl from Utah, asked him to the crowd outside the DC, and on the West Coast, drinking a boilermaker, she when it was located in the
find her a more comfort- palace cheering and calling helping to represent SAGE. called her friend. church on Hudson Street,”
able chair. When she was for the king — George — to She also served three terms “I said, ‘Grace, I walked Gerry begins, recounting a
seated, she looked up at come out.” on SAGE’s Board of in, but I can’t walk out.’“ time in SAGE’s very early
him and said, “Stay out of After his discharge, Art Directors. Grace arrived a half hour history. “The executive
show business. It’ll kill returned to his old job in Gerry was born in 1908 to later to escort her home. director said, ‘Gerry, we’re
you.” Winona. Although he East European Jewish immi- Eventually, Gerry became so glad you’re here.’ I said,
After leaving NBC, Jack never saw combat, the war grants, grew up in Borough friends with a lesbian artist ‘Really?’ I was feeling pretty
spent most of his working had broadened his experi- Park, Brooklyn, and was who helped her feel more important. He said, ‘Yes, we
life at the Mental Health ence of the world, and so at married by the time she was comfortable in the commu- need to borrow five dollars
Materials Center (MHMC), age 35, he gave up his job 19. In her early 20s, she left nity. At age 53, she met for stamps.’“ ■
editing and writing pieces and moved to San Fran- her husband and raised Ethel, who would becomeYou can also read
