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Stay in the Loop
LGBT News for December 2016
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Links and videos of interest to the mature LGBT adult are just a click away.
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The Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging will hold a focus group for LGBT seniors on December 14, 2016, after the Rainbow Lunch Club at Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.
If you are 55 or older and would like to participate, please email us at wlen@eswa.org. Caregivers of any age who take care of an older LGBT adult are especially welcome, as are LGBT caregivers who care for an older adult.
Expanding Support Systems for Socially Isolated LGBT and American Indian Seniors
Click here to read about the importance of these focus groups.
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SAGE Stands Firm on Agenda for LGBT Elders in Wake of General Election
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Dear Friends,
At SAGE we see the results of this week’s election through our commitment to building an equitable world where all LGBT elders are valued and have boundless opportunities. SAGE’s commitment is shaped by our core values, which include diversity, respect and compassion.
Read the rest of the article here
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As I See It: Election's uncertainties and certainties in Worcester
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By Joseph M. Petty
After fifteen months of dangerous rhetoric and acrimony, I am glad to see the end of a truly contentious election cycle. Like many of you, I was surprised by last week’s national election.
We strive to look ahead, but I have heard the anxious concern in your voices. I have heard it from our teachers and I have heard it from their students. I have heard the concern from your faith leaders and from those in the LGBTQ community and their allies. I have heard unease from our sisters and daughters and mothers.
Click here to read the rest of the article
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The Rainbow Supper and Lunch Clubs
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On Tuesday, December 6th, WLEN will hold its third monthly evening meal for LGBT older adults, in addition to the two lunches the Rainbow Lunch Club offers every month.
The Rainbow Supper Club meets the first Tuesday of every month; 6:00-8:00pm. Supper meals are followed by social time.
The Rainbow Lunch Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at noon. In December we gather on the 14th and 28th. The meal is followed by a program on the 14th and by social time on the 28th.
Both the Rainbow Lunch and Supper Clubs are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden Street, Worcester, MA.
The suggested meal donation for people 60+ is $2.50. Guests under 60 pay $5.50.
Inclement Weather Policy:
If the Rainbow Lunch/Supper Club is cancelled because of inclement weather (snow, icy conditions, etc.), the cancellation will be announced as “Elder Services of Worcester Meals on Wheels and Dining Centers are closed” on: WRCN 830AM, WTAG 580AM, WSRS 96.1 and WXLO 104.5 radio stations. You may also call the Nutrition Office at (508) 852-3205 after 8:30am for cancellation information.
Cancellation information is also posted on www.eswa.org by 9:00 am. Please note that evening meals are always cancelled when daytime meals are cancelled.
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Bisexual Characters on TV
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"Many bisexual TV characters lack a moral compass. They exploit their own sexuality as a means to get ahead. They’re also unabashedly shameless in their actions, never having an ounce of remorse...
"There are real consequences to depicting bisexuality as moral fluidity. It perpetuates negative stereotypes about bisexuals. It perpetuates the misconception that all bisexuals are cheaters, liars and are incapable of being monogamous." (Zachary Zane, Washington Post, 11/17/16)
Click here to read the rest of the article.
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Other Election Articles of Interest
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Click article title to read the complete article
The 2016 election has unleashed a wave of strong, difficult emotions, especially among those on the losing side. Many of them have taken to the streets in an outpouring of grief and rage at the result. While Donald Trump supporters may be coasting on a wave of elation, those who opposed him are wrestling with intense fears over what his presidency may bring.
Do These Things Now:
If you are transgender and your identity documents don’t reflect who you are, it is a good idea to update your documents — including any state-issued IDs, passport and Social Security record — before the new administration takes office. We have a whole Know Your Rights section on this topic.
Get your life planning documents in place. Create or update your medical power of attorney or health care proxy and living will. The hospital visitation policy put in place by the Obama administration is consistent with state laws and should remain in place under a Trump administration. No change in federal policy can undermine these documents. It is important to have these legally enforceable written documents stating your wishes about medical care and decision-making, and about who may visit you.
After a hard-fought campaign that has left so many of us tired, bitter, and disappointed, I deeply admire the fortitude, character, and patriotism of both my friend Hillary Clinton for her gracious concession speech and President Barack Obama, who has, as ever, set a mature and professional tone regarding the transition of power our nation must soon execute. Their grace, class, and composure inspires us. As President Obama said, “That's the way politics works sometimes. We try really hard to persuade people that we're right and then people vote. And then if we lose, we learn from our mistakes, we do some reflection, we lick our wounds, we brush ourselves off, we get back in the arena, we go at it. We try even harder the next time.”
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Elder Care Q&A, December 2016
Drug Abuse & The Elderly
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Q: Is drug abuse an issue with older people?
A:
YES
. Little attention has been paid to the issue of substance abuse—both legal and illegal drugs--among the elderly. But recent data demonstrates that drug abuse is increasing among elders, and is a larger proportion of all substance abuse among this population.
One study in 2011 reported that 6.3% of those age 50 to 59 reported they had used illicit drugs in the past month, more than twice the rate recorded in 2002. Baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) have a lifetime rate of illicit drug use higher than those of people older than them. The number of older adults needing treatment for substance abuse is estmated to increase from 1.7 million in 2000 to 4.4 million by 2020.
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December 10th; 6:00 - 8:00pm
at Annie's Book Stop
65 James Street, Worcester MA
508-796-5613
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Worcester Pride Planning Committee is working on 2017 Pride events, all are welcome to join the committee at anytime. Please join us at our Monthly Business Meetings held the First Tuesday of each month 6:30pm-8:00pm at AHEC (Center for Health Impact), 35 Harvard Street, 3rd Floor, Worcester MA.
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LGBTQI Meetup for Central Mass
The purpose of this Meetup group is to help create a vibrant LGBTQI+ community throughout Central Massachusetts. Check this page out for LBGTQI+ friendly evenst in our area!
LGBTQI+ Meetup for Central MA
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At Home for the Holidays Salisbury Mansion
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays through December 31, 2016 - 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
40 Highland Street, Worcester, MA
Admission: $5 non-member adults; free to members and visitors under 18. Stroll the period rooms of historic Salisbury Mansion. Enjoy holiday decorations by local florists and volunteers. Encounter docents who will share the story of the Salisburys and their impact on the Worcester of today. Candlelight tours Fridays in December from 4:30 to 6:30 PM; $10 per person.
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Holiday Concert at
Worcester Art Museum
Sunday, December 11, 2016 2:00 PM-3:00 PM, 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA
Free with Museum admission.
Salisbury Singers will usher in the holidays with their annual Holidays concert at WAM.
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2016 Hanukkah Concert
December 11, 2016 3:00 PM-5:00 PM, Jewish Community Center, 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA
A wonderful holiday concert everyone can enjoy!
Free and open to the public, the Worcester JCC will host a Hanukkah Concert featuring Hankus Netsky and The Hebrew National Salvage Project presenting "Lost and Found Jewish Musical Treasures." The program includes Hassidic melodies, klezmer dance tunes, Yiddish folksong, pieces from the Yiddish theatre, and other Hanukkah classics. The ensemble includes pianist and arranger Hankus Netsky, vocalist and actress Miryem-Khaye Seigel, bassist Kirsten Lamb, and percussionist Grant Smith.
To RSVP, call or email Nancy Greenberg, (508) 756-7109 x232; ngreenberg@worcesterjcc.org
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RENT
December 16th, 17th and 18th
To purchase tickets online ($10)
The Center at Eagle Hill School - Abby Theater, 242 Old Petersham Road, Hardwick, MA
An inspiring musical about friends and artists struggling with addiction, poverty, AIDS, and most of all, love. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme and adapted for high school performers, this groundbreaking rock musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS (School edition)
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WLEN
– Worcester LGBT Elder Network,
is a joint effort of Elder Services of Worcester Area Inc.,
Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging and the Worcester Senior Center.
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