Let’s here it for the Stonewall Generation, the true American mavericks, before circuit parties were in vogue, before being gay and HIV+ was a lifestyle?! The gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and with HIV+ gay community wants the same golden years as every other American person does. Hopefully, with AARP endorsing SAGE (Service and Advocacy for GLBT Elders,) both organization will lead a national conference focused on the aging population of gay men, lesbians, transgenders people, and bisexual. MORE importantly the increasing rise of HIV positive men over 50. That’s going to be me in less than 12 years, came you believe? Both the Associated Press and Newsweek have written articles regarding AARP and SAGE, which I hope you will read immediately.



I had the opportunity to start volunteering for SAGE about two years ago, helping out in the ?lend-a-hand? project. Michele, SAGE Program Manager for Friendly Visiting, would contact me if a member needed groceries, or transport from a hospital or doctor office, or even to pick up mail in a 5 story walk-up. Two years ago I was at the tale end of my recovery from a stroke. I knew exactly how they felt, being home alone with a health-care assistant for hours, being homebound, and getting exhausted from an afternoon cab ride to the doctor. This was my chance to get back!

On September 28, I attended the Friendly Visitor Picnic hosted by SAGE, it was a catch to see my Bert who just started as Volunteer Coordinator, and finally meet the infamous Michele (we have only talk on the phone.) I was reminded of the great work the organization does, and how someone day (as my parents who are in there last 70’s, and my 50’s something sisters are no longer there,) I will be a proud client of SAGE. To boot, I made a date with Phyllis, a pistol of a lesbian, and a client I had to pick up from a breast cancer biopsy. Phyllis was so impatient, she basically carried me out of the treatment room, said the anesthesia had worn off hours ago, she already had breast cancer and she don’t want the doctors touch her boobs! ...should be an interesting dinner, to saw the least...lol

XOXO...