iational Conference
Considers Gay/Lesbian Aging 4

Robert Zeuner

How are older gay and lesbian persons
treated in a straight society? Very well if
SAGE has anything to do with it. SAGE
stands for Senior Action in a Gay Environ-
ment. Operating out of offices in New
York City, SAGE sponsors rap groups,
dances, brunches, pen pals, workshops,

I friendly visitors, and advocacy programs

for members of the older gay and lesbian
communities.

At a National Conference held in New
York City from September l7th-20th, per-
sons interested in expanding SAGE activ-
ities on a national level came together to
as_sess needs outside the New York area.
Gay and lesbians,particu1arly in a rural en-
vironment like Vermont, often do not feel
comfortable with organized gay activities,
conference participants learned. For older
people, the gay world is often a strange
place. Consequently, older gays and les-
bians are often invisible members of the
gay community Often this invisibility is
se1f—imposed since being out when young
meant loss of jobs, homes, friends and
even personal freedom.

AIDS HOTLINES:

Vermont 1-800-882-2437
New Hampshire 1-800-752-2437
New York State 1-800-541-2437
Massachusetts 1-617-522-4090
Maine 1-800-851-2437
National 1-800-342-2437
Canadian 1-613-563-2437

AIDS Community Awareness Project
(ACAP)

PO Box 608

St. Johnsbury VT 05819

(802) 748-1149

AIDS Community Resource
Network (ACoRN)

PO Box 2057 ~

Lebanon NH 03766

(603) 448-2220

Bennington Area AIDS Project
PO Box 1066

Bennington VT 05201

(802) 4424481 or 1-800-845-2437

But the invisibility all too frequently aris-
es from a form of ostracism by the gay
community itself. Gays and lesbians have
often excluded older persons from wel-
come participation in their bars, organiza-
tions, literature, and social activism.
Many older gays and lesbians do not feel
comfortable with what straight programs
for the aging have to offer.

Growing out of the Conference, a group
interested in the needs of gays and les-
bians over 50 will be meeting to consider
opportunities for SAGE—like programs in
Vermont. Those interested should call
Robert Zeuner at 658-5136 for time and
date of the first meeting. Gender and age
are irrelevant.V

Read OITM
Monthly

September 1992

Forconfidenfial

AIDS
Information

 

Q

-800-882-AIDS

J

Health Resource Organizations

Brattleboro AIDS Project
67 Main Street

Brattleboro VT 05302
(802) 254-4444 (Helpline)
(802)254-8263 (Office)

Franklin-Grand Isle AIDS Task Force
8 Ferris Street

St. A1ba.ns VT 05478 - (802)524-7742
1-800-638-7834

Gay/Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous
GLAA, P.O. Box 5653
Burlington, VT 05402

H.E.A.L. Vermont

(Holistic Education and

AIDS Alternatives Liaison)

PO Box 795

Montpelier VT 05602 - (802) 229-4325

Lesbian Cancer Support Group
(802) 660-8386

Northeast Kingdom AIDS Coalition
PO Box 40
Newport VT 05855 - (802) 334-?A37

North Star (Holistic Health Care)
RR2 Box 3255
Morrisville VT 05661 - (802) 888-2858

Vermont AIDS Council
PO Box 275
Montpelier VT 05601 - (802)229-2557

Vermont C.A.R.E.S.

(Committee for AIDS Resources,
Education, and Services)

PO Box 5248

30 Elrnwood Avenue

Burlington VT 05401

(802) 863-2437 (Burlington)
1-800-649-2437 (Rutland and
Washington County support groups)

Vermont Department of Health
1-800-882-2437 (AIDS Hotline) or
(802) 863-7245 (AIDS Program office)

VT PWA Coalition

PO Box 1055

Brattleboro, VT 05502
1-800-69-VTPWA or (802) 757-9277

Vermont Women’s Health Center
336 North Avenue
Burlington VT 05401 - (802) 863-1386