Graying Gay

In the next 25 years, as the proportion of seniors grows from 12 percent to 20 percent of the population, the number of LGBT seniors older than 65 is expected to grow from 2.5 million to 4.7 million and as this happens, gays and lesbians will begin to suffer from a double whammy; that of being elderly plus being gay as well.

As we age, we will all face a number of particular challenges, such as income worries, economic hardship, fear of losing friends and family, moving long time homes, difficulties protecting oneself, autonomy, and health care. But if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), the challenges can be compounded because of widespread homophobia.

[Misti Wilde]

Uh yeah, and my parents wouldn't only be a part of my life so they can see my children, I'd be allowed to spend time alone with my nieces and nephews, I wouldn't constantly be reminded by my family and siblings that they don't agree with my choice to become a heterosexual and they never will, my spouse would recieve christmas gifts automatically from my family and never be left out. I could also be covered under my spouses health insurance plan after we legally marry, who can then legally have the right to decide what to do with my remains upon my death, and legally continue to raise the children that we have parented together for the most part of said childrens lives, if said death were to occur, without being challenged in court.

[Brad in Dallas]

Looks like you need a class in English Misti; or at least read your post before sending!

[Misti Wilde]

Brad in Dallas wrote:

Looks like you need a class in English Misti; or at least read your post before sending!

Lol. It was an article on the privelege of heterosexual marriage I read, but had to leave this site to read the whole article because it wouldn't come up, came back here to comment and didn't realize this article had taken its place while I was gone.

[ElPasoGuy]

Brad in Dallas wrote:

Looks like you need a class in English Misti; or at least read your post before sending!

That's often what happens when you don't bother to read the article but just want to post something or really anything.

With the near close to end of dying from AIDS (we lost almost an entire generation of Gays from that little blip on the screen) we've still got a long way to go.

The entire gay communities focus on getting laid and staying young continues to build almost a hatred of older gays even among our own.

There is no respect for those who saved thousands of lives by their work in the battle against AIDS. They should be honored by everyone who didn't get infected but instead they're disparaged by those who continue to get infected by the thousands. They assume medicine will take care of the problem while responsible gay and straight Americans end up paying the bills for their stupidity. I maintain that the majority of most new infections of HIV is the direct result of refusal to acknowledge personal responsibility.

My rant is better than her rant.

[Misti Wilde]

ElPasoGuy wrote:

<quoted text>
That's often what happens when you don't bother to read the article but just want to post something or really anything.
With the near close to end of dying from AIDS (we lost almost an entire generation of Gays from that little blip on the screen) we've still got a long way to go.
The entire gay communities focus on getting laid and staying young continues to build almost a hatred of older gays even among our own.
There is no respect for those who saved thousands of lives by their work in the battle against AIDS. They should be honored by everyone who didn't get infected but instead they're disparaged by those who continue to get infected by the thousands. They assume medicine will take care of the problem while responsible gay and straight Americans end up paying the bills for their stupidity. I maintain that the majority of most new infections of HIV is the direct result of refusal to acknowledge personal responsibility.
My rant is better than her rant.

UGH! I did bother to read the whole article but I had to leave the site to do it as explained above. I didn't just want to post something without reason. The article I read was very dissappointing and too many things were left unsaid. I haven't read this article yet but you do have a respectable rant that I agree with.

[Misti Wilde]

This overwhelms me with emotion and sympathy. I'm fortunate to have children. My wife is quite a bit older than I, and my family only stays in contact with me to have contact with my children. This is a very worthy cause without a doubt and volunteering to spend time with and LISTEN to our predessors that have been left all alone would be beneficial to them and more than likely enlighteneing for us.

[Ed D35]

OK, let's play nicely in the sandbox kids........I usually take a totally different perspective on this issue. It's not just something that is and will be affecting our community. I read the article, was interesting, had some valid points of interest and what not, but as I and my G/L friends as growing older we kind of have a new perspective on getting older and grayer. I for one I guess am looking forward to graying. I've had gay in my goatee/mustache for more than 10 years and have noticed it here and there starting on the sides etc. I've earned them all. My life has been far from being easy or uncomplicated, having raised 6 boys with my husband, my older has served 3 tors in IRAQ, Afghanistan, Pursian Gulf and more. He was shot and injured twice and I about died when I was notified. I have four others now in the miltary since completeing College and I have one grandson that is the center of my life at the moment. No one ever said it would be easy, and I don't expect it to be. I have had lots of losses the past two years, my daughter in law had a stroke just before she was to give birth to their first girl, she lost the baby as she was down 3-4 hours before she was found. It was horrible, we all took it very hard, but life will always give you a challange that you think you can't get through, but you do. So as we age gracefully through the next few years, I think we will all be just fine, don't worry too much about the little stuff....that's just life and it will happen period.

[Misti Wilde]

Ed D35 wrote:

OK, let's play nicely in the sandbox kids........I usually take a totally different perspective on this issue. It's not just something that is and will be affecting our community. I read the article, was interesting, had some valid points of interest and what not, but as I and my G/L friends as growing older we kind of have a new perspective on getting older and grayer. I for one I guess am looking forward to graying. I've had gay in my goatee/mustache for more than 10 years and have noticed it here and there starting on the sides etc. I've earned them all. My life has been far from being easy or uncomplicated, having raised 6 boys with my husband, my older has served 3 tors in IRAQ, Afghanistan, Pursian Gulf and more. He was shot and injured twice and I about died when I was notified. I have four others now in the miltary since completeing College and I have one grandson that is the center of my life at the moment. No one ever said it would be easy, and I don't expect it to be. I have had lots of losses the past two years, my daughter in law had a stroke just before she was to give birth to their first girl, she lost the baby as she was down 3-4 hours before she was found. It was horrible, we all took it very hard, but life will always give you a challange that you think you can't get through, but you do. So as we age gracefully through the next few years, I think we will all be just fine, don't worry too much about the little stuff....that's just life and it will happen period.

You and I have children. That gives us an entirely different perspective of growing old. Imagine the childless among us, and add that some of them also have no family due to death or disownment. We all risk losing our families when we come out; And many of us do. I hope I posted this in the right spot. Lol. Living and learning.

PS: You're an AMAZING person !