Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, December 23rd. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
FILM: Spectrum Shorts: Gender, Identity and Aging
WHEN: Saturday, October 15th @ 1pm
WHERE: Gala Hispanic Theatre | 3333 14th St NW
SYNOPSIS: This short film program traverses the globe to share stories by and about those of us who don't fit neatly into conventional ideas of gender, aging or identity. To assemble a program that highlights nearly every hue of the LGBTQ spectrum, we drew inspiration from the moving Brazilian short Places of Fear and Hatred; and from sexagenarian gay country singer-songwriter Patrick Haggerty, proudly "singing old songs to old people" in the delightful doc These C*cksucking Tears; from the tender slow-burn of two strangers finding common ground in Dawn; from Frances Reed, the enterprising and gender non-conforming subject of malefemale; and from the square dancers of Partners, and the seniors supporting one another in An Afternoon Knows; from an elegant lady out on the town in First Night Out, and the enduring love and partnership of Cecil & Carl. We hope you too will find insight and inspiration here.
Tickets for the screening of Spectrum Shorts can be purchased here.
Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, September 23rd. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
The federal Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides guidance on how, when, and where the aging network (a mix of state, local, and nonprofit agencies) does its job. The ACL is currently considering guidance to the aging network that will, among other things, hold the aging network accountable for both assessing and meeting the needs of diverse elders, including LGBT older adults.
We are supporting this grassroots campaign to encourage the ACL to prioritize the needs of diverse elders in their national guidance and we would like your help. They need to hear from LGBT people and allies from across the country, especially in the so-called "red states" in the South and Midwest. We need to tell ACL that these guidelines are critical, doable, and impactful!
Sign this petition to help ensure that LGBT elders receive the services and supports that they deserve. Our elders paved the way for many of the rights we now have and those for which we continue to fight. They've had our back, now let's return the favor. The deadline is August 22nd!
So if you're an LGBT elder, or you work with them or care for them, please show your support! Click here and sign your name to the action alert. Here is the action alert in Spanish. ¡Tome acción ahora!
If you're part of a larger organization and want to help, sign our organizational letter to the ACL.
The more people who sign-on, the more likely we are to change policy to help our LGBT pioneers. Join us by signing, and spread the word on Facebook and Twitter!
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Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, August 26th. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, July 22nd. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, June 24th. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
On April 26, 2016. The DC Center's Executive Director, David Mariner, testified before Council Member Anita Bonds and Council member staff. David spoke about proposing a budget allocation or increase of $250,000 specifically for LGBT older adults as a part of a formal, competitive grant application process. With a budget increase to the grant, programs can be created to benefit LGBT older adults. We are happy to hear that Council member Bonds was on board with our proposal.
What follows is David's testimony from that morning:
"Esteemed councilmembers and staff
My name is David Mariner and I am the Executive Director of the The DC Center for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community. Today, I am here on behalf of our Center Aging program. Center Aging is made up of a broad spectrum of volunteers. Our mission is to provide support and advocate for the aging LGBT population of the DC area and those who provide services to them. This mission is accomplished through identification of needs and concerns, and provision or facilitation of education and training.
I would like to first acknowledge the Office of Aging for its tremendous work in supporting the elderly in the District of Columbia. In 2013, LGBT individuals and organizations worked together to give input to the Department of Aging develop their Age Friendly City Plan. We were delighted to hear specifically that LGBT older adults were a part of the plan, however, little has been done to assist this community. The DC Center proposes a budget allocation or increase of $250,000 specifically for LGBT older adults as a part of a formal, competitive grant application process. With the allocation or increase, the agency and community can use the opportunity to address the needs of older LGBT persons, such as programs that will create congregate meals and affinity groups specially for this group. These types of programs already exist for other older adult communities such as the Hispanic/Latino community and the Asian/Pacific American community.
Today, there is no reliable city-wide data that exists on the needs of older LGBT adults in the District of Columbia, and because of this, the subject is kept in the shadows. These needs are very real as they are experienced throughout the community. According to Service & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders (SAGE), LGBT older people are twice as likely to live alone, twice as likely to be single, and 3 to 4 times less likely to have children, and many are estranged from their biological families, causing many to experience isolation and loneliness. Additionally, the research shows that the LGBT elders face higher disability rates, struggled with economic insecurity and higher poverty rates. Many deal with mental health concerns that come from having survived a lifetime of discrimination. In other cases, older gay and bisexual men and older transgender individuals living with HIV, face challenges as long term survivors of the epidemic. These are support needs that can be met with a congregate meals and affinity groups programs.
Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York City are already ahead of the District, and have prioritized funding programs and services to elderly LGBT. These programs and services specifically designed for LGBT older adults include congregant meal programs, housing, case management and social network opportunities. The funding is provided through their own cities' Department of Aging. The District of Columbia should follow their lead with a budget allocation or increase for a formal, competitive grant application process. We can assist older adults for programs focused on ensuring that LGBT can age with dignity and with support they need.
Thank you for allowing me to testify before you today. If you have any comment, concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my organization."
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Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, May 27th. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
This spring, Iona's Take Charg Age Well Academy is offering two special sessions for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) older adults.
Murray Scheel, Senior Staff Attorney, Whitman-Walker Health
Understanding Public Benefits: Benefits and eligibility for the LGBTQ Community
Thursday, May 19, 3:30-5:30 PM
Information regarding various retirement topics including social security, and supplemental security income; Medicare; Medicaid; Long Term Care Medicaid; and Veterans Benefits.
Location: Iona Senior Services 4125 Albemarle Street NW Washington, DC 20016
Cost: Suggested Donation, $10.00 per session
To enroll, please email community@iona.org or call 202.895.9420.
On April 8th, Travis McCown, the development intern at The DC Center for the LGBT Community, testified at the DC Council Budget Oversight Hearing about the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Travis had only positive things to report about the office, and The DC Center was happy to have him there to share our positive feedback to council members Bonds and Nadeau. In addition Travis urged council members to increase the budget of the Mayor's Office and to institute a formal competitive grant process. What follows is Travis' testimony from that morning:
Esteemed Councilmembers and Staff,
My name is Travis McCown, and I am an intern and volunteer at The DC Center for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community. I am here today to discuss the budget for the Mayor's Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs, and specifically how the budget can be increased to better serve residents of DC with a larger, formal and competitive grant process.
In Fiscal Year 2016, The DC Center was awarded a portion of a small grant that the Mayor's Office on LGBT Affairs had in its budget to serve homeless LGBT youth in DC. This is an excellent opportunity for our organization and this agency to begin long-lasting and meaningful work for community members experiencing issues as pressing as access to housing. We are grateful that this office was giving grant-making authority and has begun using that authority in a meaningful way.
However, the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs' budget is still incredibly small, and there are many other issues that can be addressed through its grant-making authority and a formal competitive grant process. Today, The DC Center would like to propose that the budget for the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs' budget be increased, specifically with more funds for grant-making opportunities. One such opportunity should be funds for programs that specifically serve older LGBT adults in DC. LGBT older adults experience many health disparities disproportionately as compared with other older adults, such as isolation. One study found that 65% of gay and lesbian seniors surveyed reported living alone -- nearly twice the rate of all seniors. The study also found that 90 percent of gay and lesbian seniors had no children, compared to 20 percent of all seniors.
We are asking for a budget increase of $250,000 to allow for a formal, competitive grant application process specifically addressing the needs of LGBT older adults. The isolation that was cited earlier can be addressed, for example, through an LGBT affinity group and through a congregate meal program provided to LGBT older adults. The Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs is very familiar with the needs of and existing resources for LGBT community members in the District. We believe their office is not only now well-equipped to implement such a grant-making and grant-reporting process, but that they are uniquely qualified to disburse these funds to organizations in DC that will serve LGBT older adults competently and effectively. The needs of LGBT community members, and specifically older adults, are not decreasing, and neither is the number of LGBT community members seeking or requiring services. As such, the budget for the Mayor's Office on LGBT Affairs should only become more robust to reflect this growth. In fact, our organization currently has a Change.org petition with 126 DC residents who support just such an increase in the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs' budget.
We are very happy with the work and support provided to us, and we look forward to working with the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs to address the various unique issues that LGBT older adults face. We hope that in the future it is with ample opportunities and resources made available to this office and the agencies serving the District.
Thank you for your time today. If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my organization.
Travis McCown
Come dance at the 4th Annual Party with a Purpose Old School Dance Party and help benefit the production of safe, affordable and inclusive housing in Washington, DC.
Saturday, May 28th, 2016
3:00pm - 7:00pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church
400 I (eye) St., S.W.
DJ, Dancing, Door Prizes, Catered Fare and Cash Bar.
The Third Annual Celebration of Life Award will be awarded to acknowledge and celebrate the life of an elder who has been a constant presence in the lives of other LGBTQ/SGL older adults and whose work and life has been instrumental in decreasing the social isolation among LGBTQ/SGL elders.
For more information, check out the flyer.
MarysHouse Save the date.pdf
Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, April 22nd. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, March 25th. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter
Center Aging is growing. Join us on the fourth Friday of every month for a new Center Aging Lunch event. The next lunch will be Friday, February 26th. All older adults (however you define that) are welcome to join us from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
Center Aging will continue to host Coffee and Conversation every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the DC Center.
For more information visit Center Aging on Facebook or on Twitter.