Bob's Blog

Jack and I are poster children in coverage of national LGBT elder resource center

2009-10-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Jack Reavly and Bob Claunch at their Los Angeles, CA home

And we love it!

HHS to Create a National Resource Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders

2009-10-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

FROM the director of Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure:

"This is a quantum leap for our new documentary, Gen Silent, about LGBT elders in so much fear
 about getting safe care that they are going back into the closet.
We are turning Gen Silent into a training curriculum for institutions and caregivers that
will be available sometime next summer and this project that we are so passionate about
seems to be happening at the perfect time." 

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced plans to establish the nation`s
first national resource center to assist communities across the country in their
efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) individuals... 

See the full article

See a trailer for Gen Silent

Contact: stu@stumaddux.com

Hate filled comment from AOL article on Bob and Jack

2009-03-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

PHYLMIKE34

01:19 PMMar 08 2009

I hope aol goes completely bankrupt and crashes and burns and whoever was over putting this abomination of an article in the headlines trying to make an abomination of a sin look totaly normal,it is a sickness a sin,an abomination the bible calls it,all queers will burn in hell,I hope they burn in hell for this stuff,I will fight the queers with my last breath,they will not parade their sickness around my family .where has the decentness went from peoples heads.

AOL Comments on Bob and Jack article:

2009-03-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Laststop060
12:13 PMMar 07 2009

To all you bashers, I guarantee if these two men who served our nation were saving your pathetic lives, you'd think twice about calling them names. My own opinion of gay marriage and gay rights has nothing to do with this. How dare you bash others who have different ways of life than you. I guarantee you would never have the nerve to say this to their faces. You are all so brave to bash, go to a gay pride parade and say what you say here, I'd laugh to see you get beaten like a baby seal.

KShoe007
12:17 PMMar 07 2009

Why is this page one news on AOL? There must be more pressing stories that deserve page one status. I have officially changed my home page....... Good bye AOL.

Lyndavan2010
12:18 PMMar 07 2009

People do care what is going on with Gay couples. AOL informs there readers of what is going on in our society. So there is a point in this article. And I think it is sad. Because, yeah, when one of them pass away, the other won't inherit what the decease one had gain.

MMDBEAMER
12:18 PMMar 07 2009

Boo, hoo, hoo............

AOL News feature includes old pics of Bob and Jack

2009-03-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley who told of their struggle to stay together as a gay couple for more than half a century in the award-winning documentary, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure, are featured in Saturday morning's national news section of AOL. The article includes several compelling photos of the couple in their early days and allows readers to comment on the right of LGBT people to marry.

Link to article
http://news.aol.com/article/elderly-gay-couple/373468

Bob and Jack featured in LA Times

2009-03-05T08:23:00.001-08:00

On the day the California Supreme Court hears arguments on Proposition 8, I am proud to have the subjects of our documentary, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure, featured in the Los Angeles Times about the longevity of their relationship.
Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley are doing their part in this decisive battle on gay marriage by being out and open and honest.

Thanks guys for your friendship and your example,

-Stu Maddux, Director

Link to Article

EMAIL FROM FAN

2009-02-25T06:13:00.000-08:00

Hi Bob & Jack

A lovely story and although I haven't seen the movie, I'll certainly add it to the front page and Movie section of my website, GrayGay.com, the place for mature gay men and their admirers.

I'm 50 and my partner Trevor (aged 75) was in a 40+ year relationship with his previous partner. We had a 14-year looooong-distance relationship (UK to Australia) where I was the official bit on the side! but since his previous partner died in 2007, I am now the official bit!

Through Trevor I have met a lesbian couple in their 90s who have lived together for over 60 years - so you'll have to keep going for a few more years to get the record! I helped to find them some local lesbian contacts after we moved from their area to Sydney as all their friends had died or moved away and they had no local support - a common problem.

AFIK the movie hasn't been shown in London, UK (where I lived until 2007) or in Sydney, Australia (where I live now). To promote the movie locally, I'll suggest to the Sydney Mature Age Gays group that they should screen it at one of their meetings and also recommend it to the Sydney Mardi Gras film festival organisers - the 2009 festival is on now so it would have to be for 2010. I also have contacts with the Gay Film Festival organisers in Melbourne & London and will recommend it to them too.

If you're ever asked for other movies to create a gay senior theme for a movie festival, I can recommend, Seventy (very funny) and everyone should see this ad (more movies, ads).

Regards

Paul
Editor of GrayGay.com
The place for mature gay men, their admirers and the GrayGay Guide to places that welcome them worldwide

aul:
Thank-you so much for email. We would so appreciate you including our film in your movie section. The site is well done and we know of it all the way out here in LA!
Congratulations on your time together with Trevor. Was he the younger man and now he's the older man? The best of both worlds.
It's also nice to know that we don't hold the record for long-term gay relationship! No one ever wants to be the oldest at anything. I'm sure that our director, Stu Maddux, would love to hear more about the lesbian couple that you know.
You are right that Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure has not been seen yet in London or Sydney and we would all be grateful for any help introducing our story to people there. The film has been seen at the Melbourne gay festival which we heard went well.
It would be so nice to revisit all these places again but travel is SO much harder than just staying put these days. Besides, the weather is beautiful here and we love the city.

Sincerely,

Bob and Jack

MORE on Bob and Jack featured in LA Times

2009-02-20T11:15:00.000-08:00

Bob Claunch (left) and Jack Reavley at a screening of the Stu Maddux documentary
Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure at Triangle Square, Winter 2008

Dear Friends....News from Hollywood......We have had one session with a young lady from the L.A. Times concerning Jack and myself. That went so well that she and her photographer will be back Monday. They will get pictures as well as more interviews about this building which houses ,mostly older men. It just so happens that they are mostly gay. It's how the government is seeing that we don't get left out when it comes to housing. So.....stay tuned from Hollywood. More later......Bob and Jack.

Bob and Jack play Wiesbaden, Germany

2009-01-09T16:38:00.000-08:00

Bob Claunch looking out from his quarters in 1950

The film documenting our life-long relationship, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure screens Sunday January 18th at 6pm in Wiesbaden, Germany at the 2009 Homonale Festival.

Jack Reavley was his commanding officer

Jack and I are delighted to be seen back in the country where we met in the service all those years ago. Please let us know what you think of our story! For more info about us visit the website: http://bobandjack.org/

The Caligari Theatre in Wiesbaden

Bob and Jack featured in French Mag: Tetu

2008-12-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley are featured in the December edition of Tetu Magazine. French readers can learn of their life at Triangle Square, Los Angeles' gay and lesbian elder housing complex. Website...

Bob and Jack screen in Sarasota

2008-08-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

Jack Reavley and Bob Claunch in 1952 more pics

This weekend's screening of Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure at the Sarasota GLBT FilmFest is a very interesting one for us. Many other seniors will be there because of the make up of that community.
I'll be interested to hear what their reaction is to the film. While our message that all of us are capable of a long-term relationship is geared towards younger gay men and women, we find that the crowds at the screenings tend to be 40+ gay couples. But these folks are our age- in their eighties.
I'm hopeful that there will be a good crowd because people want to see films that they have a connection with. Goodness knows, Jack and I don't have much connection with younger gay men- not that we'd be opposed to it! ;)

Yes we do!

2008-05-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

We announced our wedding plans this morning in a follow up interview on NPR's The State of Things with Frank Stasio. The director of our documentary, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure, has decided to film this latest chapter of our lives and shot this excerpt. Since we've actually been together 55 years at this point, this has got to be one of the longest engagement in gay history! Thanks for a the well wishes that have come in!

Two men together for 55 years to marry

2008-05-17T12:32:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2008

Media contact: Stu Maddux (323) 397-2951 stumaddux@bobandjack.org

Photographs are available at: www.bobandjack.org

HALF-CENTURY GAY COUPLE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT RULING

.

(Hollywood, CA) In 1952 an Army sergeant was cornered and courted by his commanding officer. Their romance grew so obvious that rumors became anonymous tips to headquarters. They avoided court-martial by confronting their entire unit. That pivotal moment cemented Bob and Jack together for the rest of their lives. After living through most of the modern LGBT civil rights movement they woke up this morning able to marry each other- and they have decided to take the plunge.

"Our love is still so strong after all these years, yet we were never allowed the ultimate way to express it", says Bob Claunch, now 82, from their home in Los Angeles, CA.

We've always been politically active but neither of us realized how important marriage actually was to us personally until we realized that we actually could become husband...and husband." adds partner turned fiancee Jack Reavley, 83.

No date has been set although the couple would like to have a ceremony this Fall in the community center where they live at Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing in Los Angeles.

The couple's long-term relationship has been the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, Bob and Jack’s 52-Year Adventure, by filmmaker Stu Maddux. "They want to have a new ending added to the film", says Maddux. "We leave off now with both worried about surviving alone without the legal benefits of marriage. Showing their wedding day will be a much happier conclusion."

Will Bob and Jack get married now?

2008-05-15T18:59:00.000-07:00

Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley on their way to lunch Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

California's Gays and Lesbians won the right to marry today in a court decision that had many of my out of state friends emailing and phoning their congratulations. I suddenly had a fundamental right that I had been denied all my life. I absolutely expected to be joyous and free but instead was overwhelmed. What do I do now? I have a four year relationship that was moving toward domestic partnership in the next few months. But now, that's all up in the air.
Why take half measures? What's holding us back now? Come on, let's go to the alter.
I stopped and wondered what it must be like for Bob and Jack, the gay couple in my documentary "Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure." They have been denied the right to marry for more than half a century together.

In my mind they should be first in line at the LA courthouse. They should be on the cover of Time magazine and interviewed on the local news as they tie the knot.
Up to now they've always said that they were all for marriage but it's not for them. Until today, I could have said the same for myself. It was convenient not to contemplate because it wasn't an option.

I wonder, Bob and Jack, are you reconsidering?

Director Stu Maddux to speak about documenting gay life

2008-05-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

Stu Maddux, Director, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure

Hi Bob and Jack!
I don't think I revealed TOO many of your personal secrets last night but here a clip of the show so you can check:

I was on on Pacifica Radio's LGBT show IMRU here in LA with filmmakers Robert Nunez (We're All Angels) and Dante Alencastre (Into The Fire).

Stu Maddux, Robert Nunez, Dante Alencastre

WE, had a great discussion about the panel we are all on this weekend at the ONE Archives. It's about documenting the gay history happening all around us. The hosts were great interviewers.

All three of us will be showing clips from our films at this Sunday's panel. I haven't seen Into the Fire and now I'm very excited to get a peak after hearing Dante talk about how dangerous it was to shoot with transgendered folks in Peru. We're All Angels, Robert's documentary about the Christian Gay Duo, Jason and DeMarco is going to be on Showtime next month and there's so much good stuff I'm curious to see which clips Robert will pick for the panel. From Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure I'll be showing the scene where you had the wild sex party in South America during the Pinochet years. No. just kidding, guys. Probably the scene about how you came out in the military. That as we know, was no joke. I've also got a peak of my new film Trip To Hell And Back. I'll try to finally bring you a copy as you asked when I see you on Wednesday.

The mp.3 gives you and idea of what's up but here's the 411:

ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archive Cultural Series:

Where:909 W. Adams Blvd (USC Campus)

When: This Sunday May 18, 2008 2-5pm – free to the public

Director Stu Maddux speaks on gay history tonight

2008-05-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

Director, Stu Maddux, August 2007

Our illustrious director, Stu Maddux (Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure) ;)
has been asked to join filmmakers Robert Nunez (We're All Angels) and Dante Alencastre (Into The Fire) to discuss documenting gay history on the radio program, IMRU.
It airs tonight (Monday May12th) at 6:30 pdt on Los Angeles public radio station 90.7
That's "Pacifica Radio" KPFK for you locals. They stream live so click on the link above.

The press release from the organizer says that they'll be telling "some shocking behind the scene stories"
I don't know if they take calls but we'll be listening so we can give Stu a hard time if he reveals too much. We DO have a few skeletons in, strike that, out of the closet.

BTW- We are doing great, Stu! See you on Wednesday for lunch.

Bob and Jack screen in Calgary, Alberta

2008-04-21T19:12:00.001-07:00

Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure will be included in the 10th annual Fairy Tales Film Festival in Calgary, AB, CA. Details coming soon. The film of our half-century relationship together is now two-years old. The number of festivals screening us is growing smaller now. At one point we were having about a half dozen a month. How quickly time passes when you are our age. It seems that it was just yesterday that we were wondering if any festival at all would screen us. What a wonderful adventure this film has been!

Film about gay couple with 50+ years screens at gay housing

2008-03-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

We were just delighted at the turnout for our screening at Triangle Square, the LGBT Elder housing complex in Hollywood, CA. Maybe its because...we live there! The pictures have just been posted on our website. Thank-you very much for the flowers and the framed picture. It is so special. And a big thanks to Julissa Espinoza MSW, the Program Director here. She is just fantanstic! We are so lucky to be surrounded by such good people.

Bob

Bob and Jack screen at Gay Lesbian Elder Housing

2008-02-21T05:04:00.000-08:00

Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing, Hollywood, CA.

Hi friends:
We've lived here for close to a year now. There are many gay and lesbian seniors in this complex who have lived full and interesting lives. But you know how it is, the person next door could be a famous movie star and we wouldn't know it. We are all living our own lives. And unfortunately there's not a lot of things to do in our neighborhood. There's ample revitalization in Hollywood but not all the amenities just yet. So, it's not like we get into a van and drive to the dance clubs in Weho. The Spotlight Room a block away is as far as most of us get.

Bob Linscott of LGBT Aging Project Boston gets the skinny from Bob Claunch

So that makes next week all the more of an event for all of us. WE are going to be the movie stars, at least for the evening. All of us are gathering in the community room to see the documentary that Jack and I are in: Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure. It's the story of how a gay couple has survived a half century together. The film has been very successful and we've enjoyed being a part of the questions and answers after screenings so very much.

Life partners Jack Reavley and Bob Claunch with Director Stu Maddux during a screening in 2006

But it's been almost a year since we've been able to travel anywhere to do that. Since then, the film has played all over the world and we haven't been able to attend because of our health. But now it's coming to a retirement community near you! I wish that it was open to the public. I wish that they were shining the spotlights lights like premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theatre a few blocks away. But it's just for the residence here. And that's fine. Because it will give us a chance to get to know our neighbors even better. I'm sure there is the subject of a great documentary waiting behind every door.

See Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure in San Diego this week

2008-02-11T11:04:00.001-08:00

Hello my friends!
The folks at SAGE in San Diego are having a Valentine's Day film event with gay ROMANTIC movies. What a great idea! What's even better is that Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure is included in the line-up. I must admit, that's pretty darn validating! Not that Bob and I need validating. We've come this far when the validation was very thin at times. But maybe it will help others see that they can have the same lasting relationship that we have. Or better yet that the same struggles that couples, gay or straight, have today we had just as badly back then. Oh who cares, just go and laugh.
There are two shows absolutely free and open to the public. And we'd love to get your opinion of our life story.
Happy Valentine's Day! -Bob

Pics from Bob and Jack screening

2008-01-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

Hi Bob:
Our fundraising screening in Raleigh, North Carolina has been one of the most rewarding experiences yet with Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure. I've posted the pictures on the website. Thanks to everyone at the Galaxy Cinema, Equality North Carolina, Ray Richardson, Bob Winstead and all my NC boys.
Stu

BOB AND JACK get week-long screening to benefit human rights

2008-01-03T06:45:00.000-08:00

Bob Claunch, Director Stu Maddux, Jack Reavley on the balcony
of the couple's Hollywood apartment at Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing Dec. 23, 2007

Jack and I are very excited that our documentary will be raising money for civil rights issues all next week. God knows we are ready for it after 55 years together as "friends", "long-time companions" "partners"- if you only knew all code words we've lived through. We witnessed with our own eyes the lunch counter sit-ins in the fifties, the feminist movement in the seventies: It's amazing that we are now actually getting to work ourselves on issues that affect both Jack and I so directly.
All the awards for this film have been amazing, but this screening in particular is so rewarding to think about because its a fund raiser. I hope anyone reading this will spread the word.
Our documentary, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure, will screen from January 11th-17th at the Galaxy Cinema in Raleigh, North Carolina. (DETAILS) We are gladly donating the film print (screening fees, etc.) and the theater has offered to give the proceeds to Equality North Carolina. The Galaxy Cinema is so gracious to bring in the film's director, Stu Maddux, for questions and answers on the 11th-13th. I know that people we find the experience something that they talk about days later; and, I hope that you will write to use here with your thoughts and maybe share your experiences as well. -Bob

Bob and Jack, at 83, Maintain Gay Card

2007-12-31T06:18:00.001-08:00

Jack Reavley, Bob Claunch at Director Stu Maddux at a screening in Los Angeles, CA

A CLUE AT HOW THE GAY COUPLE STAYS IN TOUCH:

Hi Bob and Jack:

Thanks so much for the subscription to the Advocate and OUT Magazine. We are enjoying them both and I've already read through the January issues. I've always admired all the gay savvy periodicals on your coffee table. Now I feel like I will have a fighting chance to keep MY gay card in 2008 as much as you both do. I do wish that they would have made you guys one of their OUT100 this year. You would have been perfect for it.

Stu Maddux, Director
Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure

Bob and Jack win in Long Island

2007-12-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure has just won the Jury Award for Best Short Documentary at the Long Island Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

"Thanks-you" to the panel that decided on us above so many great films on the festival's program. It truly makes Jack and I feel that our lifetime together is special to more that just us.
As a movie fan, a JURY award is so wonderful to have in addition to the audience choice awards that have come our way.
The award certificate came as a message in a bottle through the mail. Very clever!
I stupidly got rid of the bottle part before taking a picture. No matter. I think this picture I've borrowed from another screening probably shows how I looked when I opened it. -Bob

A recent screening at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center

From Bandanas To Blogs

2007-12-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

Bob, I thought your readers would find this as fascinating as I do. It's written by our biggest supporter in the Boston area.
Best regards,
Stu Maddux, Director Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure

From bandanas to blogs
by Bob Linscott
EDGE Contributor
Thursday Nov 29, 2007

We have come a long way from the days when the only way to meet another gay person put us at great risk or relied upon secret codes like colored bandanas, earrings or hidden societies like Mattachine. LGBT folks coming out today are one mouse click away from meeting hundreds of other people like themselves. Now, most dating sites ask if you want to date a man or woman and you can even customize your potential date by specifying age, height, weight, hair color, or education.

To appreciate the relative ease of connecting today I would like to look back at the ways gay and bi-curious men found each other over the past three generations. In many cases we did so at great risk of bodily harm or social exclusion.

In order to explore this question, I turned to the men who attend Ethos’s weekly luncheon for LGBT seniors, and my colleagues in the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus and the JP Men’s Group (for a middle perspective). The input from LGBT youth comes from my years as an educator and GSA Advisor. A subsequent Generation Us column will explore the same issues with women.

Ralph, a man approaching his eighties and one of my regulars at the Café, had a good chuckle when I told him about my research for this story. He said "I can answer that easily. The way we met in the old days was the three B’s: Balconies, Bushes and Baths; those are all gone now." Ralph stumbled into the gay scene in the ’50s by accident; he loved watching movies, especially John Wayne westerns. He was surprised by the number of people that would congregate in the dark balconies of the theaters. Then, when someone sat right next to him in an empty row he caught on. After that, Ralph became an avid moviegoer since that was the easiest way for him to meet other men.

Camille, in his 80s, spoke about the baths in New York City. He has a fondness for that era in the mid-’60s because "it provided a sanctuary where we could truly be ourselves. It was more than a place for sex, it was our entire social outlet. We could talk openly there but we couldn’t associate with one another in the real world. It was also a pure time, before AIDS entered the gay scene and changed everything."

Some men, especially those who grew up in rural areas, also spoke about "the bushes." Tom, a colleague in the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, described growing up queer in Ohio in the early sixties as "not fun and very lonely." He heard rumors about the city park and that became the only means he could connect with other gay men. He said it was very dangerous and he was assaulted there once.

Clearly not all men met through sexual encounters back then. Some, like Jim, 74, sought out a socio-political gathering of gay men known as the Mattachine Society. He felt that finding the courage to attend that meeting was the only way to meet other men like himself.

The next generation of men I spoke with, the men who came out in the ’70s and ’80s, had new means available: personal ads and the bars. Although gay bars have been in existence for ages, people felt safer to venture out and frequent them, given the end of police raids thanks to Stonewall and the emerging gay rights movement.

Almost all of the men I spoke with who came out in this era mentioned their first contact with the gay community was through bars like Sporters, Chaps and Buddies. Dean, another fellow chorus member, who came out in the late ’80s, said that the first people he met were through newspaper personals in the Globe and the Phoenix because there wasn’t a Worldwide Web back then. For some this seemed like a safer route than the bars, provided that you could figure out terminology like "SWJM Greek Active ISO GAM French Passive."

There is one thing that clearly defines the experience of the younger gay community, those who came out in the ’90s and present decade: the Internet. Some of the daring ones came out in high school or college but almost all of them made their first contact with another gay person online, on websites with chat rooms and personals like America Online. Later, more specialized sites catered to strictly gay and gay curious clientele such as Planet Out, Gay.com and Manhunt. Ed, a recent college graduate, says that "with the advent of Facebook (which launched in February 2004) students who are willing to self- identify their orientation on their personal profiles can easily find all the other students who are gay, bi, lesbian or transsexual."

With the increased visibility and acceptance of gay issues in mainstream culture students are coming out at younger and younger ages and technology is trying to catch up to them. Harlan, one of my former students, now a high school senior, came out when he was 13. There was absolutely nowhere for him to go in middle school so he had to wait until high school and he transferred to a school with a Gay Straight Alliance. Many of the gay websites do not cater to youth, but fortunately new websites strictly for LGBT youth started appearing on the scene. Websites such as Mogenic (claiming to be "The biggest gay and lesbian youth community on earth") and The Gay Youth Corner (GYC.com) are very popular for youth 13 to 24.

The ease of connecting with hundreds of other gay men one’s own age would have been unfathomable to some of the seniors I initially spoke with. Many of these men risked their lives and reputations to seek out the company of gay men.

So, have we lost anything with the swift and easy access to the Internet? One figure, clearly mentioned fondly by the first two groups, was the "older gay mentor." Many men who came out in the ’50s through the ’80s describe the archetype of the "wise older gay friend" who taught them about gay life. None of the young men I spoke to mentioned such a mentor or role model. Has their access to the Internet, gay newspapers and the support systems within high schools and colleges for LGBT youth taken over that role?

Because of the rapid change in the way we have met over the decades, one question looms in our future. What’s next? Will future generations have gay bars or gay choruses and other venues to meet face to face? If increased social acceptance means assimilation, how will that impact the way the next generation seeks the company of other gay men and women?

copyright 2007 Bay Windows