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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 2001)
k U U iiü iv ittin e w s ousing for the elderly of any com munity is always an important need. The sexual minorities com munity is no exception, and with the “out generation” rapidly join ing the senior population, where and how they will live has become a serious issue. Older citizens today have many residential options, but how many of them have realistic potential for sexual minorities wanting to retain their open lifestyle in a supportive environ ment? What do they want? UTiat do they need? What are they willing to accept? These questions are being asked by a group of sexual minorities in the Portland area who have begun meeting monthly to brainstorm on what they hope will translate into access to good housing where the only closets are for clothes. Mary Beth Brindley started researching this need a year ago. Faced with her own aging process, she began looking into existing options for sexual minorities in the area. At Brindley’s urging, the Lesbian Communi ty Project sponsored a forum on the issue. It was, she says, “poorly attended,” but a few partici pants did commit to addressing the matter. A total of 15 people met Oct. 30 to discuss needs and options and to address what can be done in the short and long term to make life livable for elderly sexual minorities. Some of the participants already are involved in retirement programs, both private and state- or county-sponsored. For others, it is an area of concern they want to address. Two real estate professionals and one insurance broker shared their input on how retirement com munities might be developed. Two Portland State University students would like to gear a project to the needs surrounding this issue. All are concerned, and with good reason. We Injured? ...Call me T he O ld S chool The meeting participants favored mixed- gender communities rather than all-male or all female settings. Just Out talked to a few people outside the group about these issues, and they Meetings discuss housing options for gay and lesbian seniors seemed to have support. Vi Leagjeld, who has been out by P atricia L . M ac A odha for 30 years, was delighted with the idea of a gay retirement communi- have heard and sometimes observed | ty. She shares an apartment with horror stories: the frightened old peo her canine friend, Angel, ple who are miserably closeted, g “If I ever got to the point whether living with family members, § where I wasn’t able to take care in nursing or foster care facilities, or in of myself,” she said, “I would def their own homes with 24-hour atten initely want to be with my own dants who might not be supportive. people.” We have been told about neglect Frank Myers, an accountant, and abuse, about rejection by homo- has discussed the matter with a phobic residents and caregivers, and circle of friends. They agreed extremes of battering and rape perpe they want to live their older years trated against our frail elderly. Fright together but haven’t decided ened and isolated, their final years are where— a house, a retirement not restful and happy but terrifying home? They don’t know. and lonely. A six-member committee is Sexual minority communities in a drafting a mission statement in number of urban and rural areas time for the next meeting Dec. 4, when discussions and strategizing already have begun developing V i Leagjeld supports the concept of a gay retirement community retirement centers and homes to on this issue will continue. Any confront this special need. The matter is being A concern was voiced about marketing pro one interested in joining the process is invited. addressed in California, Florida, North Caroli cedures that accidentally might “out” prospec For Brindley, it’s not just a dream; it’s a must. na, New York and Maine, among other states. tive clients. A residential center in Florida, con “I want to live the rest of my life in G od’s coun In Washington, sexual minority housing already sisting of modular homes and lots costing try,” she says. J H exists in Seattle, Bremerton, Port Townsend and $55,(XX) each, was marketed by word of mouth. the Olympic Peninsula. Some of these models are A major concern was the need for good A second brainstorming session will be held from being discussed by the Portland group. housing to be available for sexual minority 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 in the first floor Collins Lounge They came to a mild consensus that privately seniors of all backgrounds, classes and races; one at the YWCA, l l l l S . W . 10th Ate. 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