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RIP Gil Scott-Heron – an innovative voice goes silent at 62
This was sad news for me, and one of those things I read that immediately takes me back to a point in time. 1978. Bloomington, Indiana. I was living there, a very messy life, rooming with a woman in a $95 dollar-a-month apartment. We were about 20 yards from the railroad tracks, and trains would barrel by every fifteen minutes or so, shaking the apartment. Even at that rent we had trouble paying, and every month was a struggle.
There in the soundtrack to our lives, among whatever else we were listening to, was Gil Scott-Heron. His album ‘Secrets‘ had come out that year, and we listened to it over and over and over. There was one song on it, ‘Show Bizness,’ that I still recite to myself (for Scott-Heron was an early innovator of the marriage of spoken word and music that came to be called rap and hip-hop; many of his songs were more recited than sung).
Do you really want to be in show bizness
It’s the highly constant come and go bizness
Got you hangin’ out in places you got no bizness
People sell their souls just to be in show bizness
Show bizness, it’s alright with me Gil Scott-Heron was brilliant, a trailblazer, a pioneer, and a very distinct part of the soundtrack to my life. Hats off and hearts out.]]> -
Affordable Care Act already saving millions for Seniors in donut hole
Pardon the tangent, but my late father always described his prostate (when he was explaining his frequent trips to the bathroom) as a donut, so every time I read about Medicare’s donut hole I think of my dad’s prostate.
The Affordable Care Act, while still being implemented in stages, has already saved $166 million for seniors in the donut hole (something I still don’t fully understand, but anyone in the donut hole knows it!).
From HealthCare.gov:
The Affordable Care Act is cutting the cost of prescription drugs for millions of people with Medicare. Starting this year, people with Medicare receive a 50% percent discount on covered brand name drugs bought when they are in the donut hole.
To receive the discount, no special action is required. Seniors simply purchase drugs at the pharmacy and receive the discount automatically.
So far, 271,000 people have used the discounts to save an average of $613 for a total of $166 million. These savings will continue to grow. Most people who reach the donut hole do so later in the year, so we know more and more seniors will be helped as the year progresses. But seniors with high costs are already receiving critical relief from prescription drug costs.
Most of these discounts are helping seniors with serious medical conditions – nearly 20% of the benefits provided to date – more than $32 million – are for cancer drugs and another nearly 10% – about $16 million – are for drugs provide to multiple sclerosis patients.
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LGBT families likely to travel in summer despite rising costs
Our families travel just like any other, and the Family Equality Council predicts LGBT families will continue their vacations despite the rising costs of fuel and accommodations. LGBT families with children find it important to vacation where they can have a sense of inclusion.
For my own part, my family is my partner Frank and we’re headed on a Caribbean cruise June 4. Look for photos and blog posts!
From the Windy City Media Group:
Boston, MA – (May 26, 2011) — The Family Equality Council, America’s foremost advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families, today predicted LGBT families will continue to travel in robust numbers during the summer season despite the rising cost of airfare and gas prices as well as current economic conditions. The traditional summer travel season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend. Brent Wright, Director of Programming for Family Equality Council, said LGBT families see their summer travel experiences as more than just discretionary vacations. “Our families tell us that they place a high value on the opportunity to take their children to destinations they consider life-affirming and culturally enriching as well as fun,” said Wright. “This is the one time of year where some LGBT families feel free to celebrate their diversity and make connections with other parts of their community.” Wright said there are more than 1 million LGBT parents raising 2 million children in the U.S. today. Millions more same-sex couples and individuals without children will choose to travel with parents, grandparents, siblings and extended families. Continue reading
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LIVING LEGACIES: Words of appreciation across the generations
One of my regular readers, Shannon, watched the trailer for the movie ‘Gen Silent‘ and was struck by a comment of one of the people in the film that younger people don’t know who these LGBT elders are. She suggested making a series of videos with appreciations from young people, and I said have at it! This is her video. I’m hoping there will be more, and I intend to do one of my own. Considering that it was the gay men in my life, not my father, who taught me to be a man, the least I can do is say thank you, you are remembered in the present, past and future. These will be posted here at lgbtsr.com. If you’d like to contribute contact me at lgbtsr@gmail.com. – Mark McNease]]>
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New Ewan McGregor movie 'Beginners' highlights coming out of elderly gay dad
I was a big fan of ‘I Love You, Phillip Morris,’ with McGregor and Jim Carey. McGregor’s new movie looks to be marvelous, but with an obvious heartbreaker at its center: his father, Christopher Plummer, comes out late in life . . . just in time to have a terminal illness. I don’t know if I’ll see this one, it looks like it could be as much a downer as an upper, but it’s on my list.]]>
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LGBT archivist in Northampton, MA, seeks space for collection
Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis before it. One archivist in Northampton, Massachusetts, has acquired a vast collection in his home and is looking for a space to house it. From MassLive.com: NORTHAMPTON – A newly formed foundation is hoping to bring information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender worlds all the way out of the closet into a dedicated facility that will serve as a resource for the entire East Coast. The Sexual Minorities Educational Foundation Inc. already boasts one of the most extensive archives on gay life, history and art in the country, but since 1979 it has been confined to the Northampton home of Bet Power, the president of the foundation’s board of directors. With the recent establishment of the 12-member board and a pending application for nonprofit status, the foundation is hoping to take the long-awaited next step and set up shop in a new location where the archives can be readily accessible to the public. “It’s always been my intention to have it open to the public,” said Power, who has hosted a steady parade of students and scholars at his home for decades. “I wanted to organize and give it a structure.” Continue reading]]>
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After 50 years, Amnesty International sees much work to do on LGBT rights
As it passes its 50th anniversary, Amnesty International enjoys the success of being a household name. One area it has played an important role in (and, as you read the article, there are criticisms of that role) is in bringing LGBT rights into the consciousness of people fighting for human rights around the world.
From SoSoGay.com:
Amnesty International’s influence provides a lifeline for people who have been deprived of their liberty and dignity. As an organisation that fights against injustices of human rights, it is unsurprising that gay rights are also firmly on the charity’s agenda. Amnesty International’s LGBT network addresses injustice for people who are marginalised, or worse, due to their sexual orientation. It puts pressure on governments and leads campaigns in order to empower individuals and groups. Clare Bracey, LGBT Campaign Manager for Amnesty International tells So So Gay that ‘over 60 countries around the world criminalise homosexuality, and in eight of these countries the maximum penalty is death. The criminalisation of people based on their sexual orientation contravenes international and regional human rights treaties.’ Some of Amnesty International’s recent achievements include helping legalise same-sex marriage in Argentina, campaigning for Lithuania to have its first Baltic Pride, and helping Turkey keep open Black Pink, an LGBT organisation that had been threatened with closure.
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Housing a major concern for 1.5 million LGBT seniors
There has been encouraging news of late regarding housing specifically targeted for LGBT seniors, with a growing awareness of the need for it. One of my personal concerns is that we must keep in mind that a lot of us won’t be able to afford higher-end assisted living or complexes designed for LGBT people of means.
That said, a new survey reflects housing as a major concern for LGBT seniors and those on our way to being seniors.
From Senior Housing News:
As the Baby Boomer generation approaches retirement age, starting in 2011, the population of American seniors is expected to double from 37.9 million to 72.1 million. A study released by San Diego’s The Center, an organization devoted to housing and related needs of the LGBT community, says there are an estimated 1.5 million LGBT seniors currently, and that number will continue to grow. The study lists senior housing as one of the top concerns for the LGBT community as it approaches retirement age.
Members of San Diego’s LGBT Community Center have met during the last two years to discuss issues affecting LGBT seniors, including senior housing. “The guiding mission of the group was to help to facilitate the development of a long-term community vision for affordable housing and other living facilities,” the study says.
[SNIP]
In light of the survey’s findings, the Community Center’s report lists a series of recommendations in regards to senior LGBT housing, including identifying “a low-income, senior housing developer who may be willing to work in partnership with the LGBT community to develop subsidized, affordable, low-income senior housing for LGBT seniors; existing low-income, senior housing options for LGBT seniors, including existing landlords or property owners who may be willing to work inpartnership with the LGBT community to expand their affordable offerings to low-income LGBT seniors; and existing market-rate senior housing communities who may be interested in the further development of market rate housing or retirement communities for LGBT seniors.”
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New York City creates hospital training video on LGBT health issues
I reported yesterday that New York City hospitals are providing training on issues facing LGBT patients. Their training video is out, and it’s superb.]]>
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Gerry Hoose, Stonewall veteran, discusses first NY Pride march and SAGE
This came over in an email from SAGE. Gerry Hoose was one of the people there that night in 1969 at the Stonewall bar. He provides a glimpse into what it was like then for LGBT people, and what we should never forget. He was also a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front – something I remember reading about in my own gay youth in Indiana when I searched for proof I wasn’t alone.]]>
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NYC hospitals to provide training on issues faced by LGBT patients
Reflecting the growing awareness of health issues unique to the LGBT population, New York City hospitals are adopting competence training for their staff.
From Advocate.com:
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the nation’s largest urban healthcare agency serving 1.3 million patients, will adopt cultural competence training for staff members to help improve the health of LGBT people.
The launch of the mandatory employee training program will be announced Wednesday by HHC president Alan D. Aviles, deputy mayor Linda Gibbs and National LGBT Cancer Network executive director Liz Margoiles. Dozens of elected officials, community leaders, patients, and hospital staff members are expected to attend the announcement at Bellevue Hospital to include a screening of the new training video, “To Treat Me, You Have to Know Who I Am.”
The 10-minute video, produced in collaboration with the National LGBT Cancer Network, is part of a curriculum that will reach 38,000 physicians, nurses, technicians, administrators, and support services staff at new employee orientations, annual in-service programs and upcoming employee town hall meetings.
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Hudson Pride Connections Center launches LGBT senior program in Jersey City
From NJ.com: The Hudson Pride Connections Center, an advocacy group and service organization based in Jersey City, has launched a new program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons who are 50 and older. The new program — Services And Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) — will provide social, recreational, educational and support services for a population that is historically underserved in Hudson County, Hudson Pride Executive Director Nancy Caamaño said. Funded by the Hudson County Division of Housing and Community Development, the program will provide local field trips and sponsor volunteering opportunities in an effort to decrease isolation and encourage civic involvement among this population, Caamaño said.
[SNIP] Caamaño explained that the SAGE affiliate, part of SAGE, a national social service and advocacy organization dedicated to LGBT senior citizens, is the first in New Jersey. Founded in 1993, Hudson Pride Connections Center is a community benefit organization that bridges gaps in services and responds to unmet needs of the LGBT community and people who are HIV positive. For more information, visit hudsonpride.org.
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MARK'S CAFE MOI: 'Senior' still a dirty word for many
I attended a workshop yesterday at the Blogworld & New Media Expo on writing for the over-50 market. One thing that was immediately clear was how averse people remain to the word ‘senior,’ and how we keep pushing its definition further and further up until being a senior these days means your aging adult children are about to pull the plug on you. A lot of people take offense at being called ‘senior’ and seem to think it’s literally the kiss of death.
I’m not one of them. IHOP and plenty of other places offer their senior discounts at 55, and damnit, I can’t wait. Give me that 20 percent off! And while you’re at it, call me Senior! Call me old! Call me anything but a ‘boomer,’ a word that now seems to be the favorite of marketers, consumers, and everyone else who likes the broadness of it. Personally I think it sounds like baby-talk for potheads. ‘Boomer.’ One of those awful cultural creations like ‘baby bump’ and ‘eighty-two years young.’ Infantilizing us all, prolonging our adolescence into our 60s – oh, wait, we’re still boomers then. Our 70s? Maybe we’re post-boomers then. Anything, please God, but the dreaded ‘senior,’ when, we imagine, we’ll be spoon fed by nurses before they prop us up in wheelchairs and park us in the hallway for the night.
Senior is an honorific. Like esquire, or doctor. We should treat it that way. We should be proud to be seniors, with our senior discounts and our senior power and, above all, our senior’s life experience. Let’s face it, if you’re thirty, I am your senior and I earned it.
When I started this site it was with the clear intention of embracing age. If you like calling yourself a boomer, go right ahead. But I am not afraid of the word ‘old,’ that once commanded reverence in a culture less youth-obsessed. To me senior means you know more than I do, your wisdom is greater, your experience something to defer to. Not blindly, but with due respect. Senior is not a dirty word. Let’s clean it up and return it to its shining essence.]]>