'You've got a friend
in me...'
AARP has proven itself a valuable LGBT ally
by Matt Comer matt@goqnotes.com
Anti-gay religious organizations and
activists have derided the AARP, former
ly known as the American Association
of Retired Persons, for their support
of the LGBT community. Despite their
childish antics and whining, AARP has
forged on with cooperative partnerships
with LGBT organizations and seniors.
Here are just a few of the steps
AARP has taken to reach out to LGBT
seniors:
• In the past decade, AARP has routinely
worked with several LGBT organizations,
include Services and Advocacy for LGBT
Elders (SAGE), the now defunct Pride Senior
Network, The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force and the Human Rights Campaign.
• AARP has funded several LGBT initiatives,
including work by SAGE, through its Andrus
Foundation.
•AARP was a sponsor of SAGE's 2008 confer
ence and said at the time; "AARP is paying
attention to LGBT needs to minimize dis
crimination and to ensure equality as people
age in America."
• The organization's publication, AARP The
Magazine, regularly features LGBT-related
stories and features on LGBT leaders and
movements.
• In 2009, AARP conferred an Andrus Award
to David Aronstein, a Massachusetts
resident and founding member of Stonewall
Communities, a non-profit charged with
supporting educational, housing, social and
support programming and services for LGBT
seniors.
• In 2009, AARP celebrated with the LGBT
community the 40th anniversary of the
historic Stonewall Riots. You can view the
special and in-depth coverage, including
articles, a history timeline and radio and TV
features, at aarp.org/stonewall.
► ► ►
Resources for
LGBT elders
Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE)
A national advocacy, public policy, education
and support organization for LGBT seniors.
sageusa.org
LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN)
A constituent group of the American Society
on Aging, LAIN is an educational and aware
ness building coaltiion of professionals and
seniors. According to their website, LAIN
"seeks to foster professional development,
multidisciplinary research and wide-rang
ing dialogue on LGBT issues in the field of
aging through publications, conferences, and
cosponsored events."
asaging.org/networks/LAIN/
Also of interest is the American Society on
Aging's LGBT Aging Resources Clearinghouse
at asaging.org/larc/.::
Navratilova says she
has breast cancer
Openly lesbian tennis star, AARP spokesperson speaks out
by Matt Comer :: matt@goqnotes.com
a Duke University professor of medicine and
breast and ovarian program leader for the
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Institute, told
Bloomberg News.
"While nobody wants to get a diagnosis
of DCIS — and it's treated very seriously as
cells that have potential to become cancerous
—this is a really good prognosis," Seewaldt
said. "Most of the time, women who have
DCIS do really well and are typically cured."
Navratilova was born in Prague but joined
American tennis in 1975. She became a U.S.
citizen and came out in 1981.
It is commonly thought lesbians are at a
higher risk of developing breast cancer and
some research points to increased risks of
anal cancer in men who have sex with men. In
a late March release, however, the American
Cancer Society said more research is needed.
"Unfortunately, cancer research in the
LGBT population is rarely conducted or
published," the organization said. "Perhaps
due to the lack of focus on cancer in the LGBT
community, awareness of the risks of cancer
within this population is surprisingly low."::
Born at the very tail end of the Baby
Boomer generation, Martina Navratilova has
become one of the LGBT community's most
outspoken advocates for health and equality.
On April 7, the international tennis star
spoke to several news outlets and said she
''vas diagnosed with a non-invasive form of
breast cancer. She said her prognosis was
9°od, after learning of the diagnosis after a
■■eutine mammogram in February.
Navratilova, 53, who now works as a
spokesperson for AARP, said the news
shocked her.
“It knocked me off my ass, really," she told
^sople magazine. "I feel so in control of my
li^e and my body, and then this comes, and it's
completely out of my hands."
The cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ
(BCIS), is the most common form of largely
non-lethal breast cancer. Nearly 70,000 or
more women are diagnosed with the cancer v
sach year.
"The good thing for [Navratilova] is that
she doesn't have what's called an invasive
breast cancer, meaning that the cancer
invades into the tissue," Victoria Seewaldt,
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TRUUMm 14
April 30-May 1, 2010
The Tradesmen’s
at The Woodshed Lounge
celebrating 24 years of service in leather
3935 Queen City Drive
Charlotte, NC
704.394.1712
www.woodshedlounge.com
Apr. 17-30.2010 qnotes 11