It’s not something anyone likes to think about, but it’s a topic that seems to be frequently ignored in the LGBTQ community: Getting Older. With an emphasis on youth, sexual appeal and physicality, it’s frequently and ruefully joked that gay men are over the hill LONG before they’re 40. Add that to the fact that a cohesive, united community of out queer people is only a few decades old, leads to some looming issues for the hundreds of thousands of out Baby Boomers who are currently entering retirement age, and the rest of us who will one day follow suit. How will out and proud LGBTQ people transition to “The Golden Years” Where will we live? How will hospitals, retirement communities and nursing homes deal with queer people? Current laws dealing with estates and even hospital visitation and rights for same sex partners are all a vital part of the fight for marriage equality…if these laws aren’t quickly passed, how will the elder members of the community live safely and happily after retirement?
A new documentary film, “10 More Good Years” examines many of these questions and the unique challenges facing our aging community.
“Ten More Good Years” introduces remarkable LGBT Elders who share inspiring stories of their lives and Queer History. Via their stories governmental and social injustices are soon revealed, shedding light on what it is now, and what it will be to grow old and Gay in America. Outdated tax laws, Medicaid and Medicare regulations, Social Security and inheritance laws, a lack of Cultural Competency within Social Services, and the need for non-discriminatory housing are all issues currently facing the Elder LGBT population. “Ten More Good Years” corroborates these injustices through coast to coast interviews with gerontologists, social service workers, Lawyers from NCLR, Senior Strategists from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, along with a host of other credible figures. “Ten More Good Years” also investigates the process and outcome of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA); an event scheduled every ten years to guide national policies on aging.
Due to the outcome of the 2005 WHCoA the very elders who fought for the right to be out, proud and equal could be forced back into the closet and silenced once again. The Elders interviewed in this film share their concerns for their own future as well as for future generations of LGBT men and women. Along with their concerns, they gently provide guidance to a younger generation who often times seems to have become complacent.
This important film is heading to Seattle for multiple screenings this week, including a Noon presentation at City Hall on Thursday, April 19th followed by a panel discussion with Michael Jacoby, the director of the film; Mac MacGregor Seattle LGBT Commissioner; Louise Chernin GSBA Chair; Brad Hoover DHS Social Worker and former LGBT Commissioner. The event is free and takes place at the Bertha Knight Landes Room in the Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue – 2nd Floor.
Mr. Jacoby will also be in attendance Thursday evening for a reception in his honor at Lobby Bar beginning at 8pm. AND, an encore screening of the film, also free, will be held on Saturday, April 21st starting at 7pm and also at Lobby and with Mr. Jacoby available to answer questions. For more information on these events, check out the Facebook invite.
You have two options in life: getting old or not getting old. Frankly, Mr. Strangeways is planning on embracing it and being that irritating old coot at ElektroPOP! 2032 and pinching the asses of all the cyborg go go boys…hopefully, we’ll have some awesome LGBTQ senior housing and services by then and full equality under the law.
Check it out. You’re not young forever, kids.
