Media Contacts: Jonathan Bernstein, (800) 248-7616
Diane Edwardson, (213) 666-1392
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE GAY AND LESBIAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRING
PERSONS (GLARP) TM
(Note to editors the answers given below, may be attributed to Mary
Thorndal, executive director, GLARP)
1. How did the idea of creating GLARP come about?
The idea of creating GLARP started from several personal experiences with
friends who needed services and couldn't find them. One was a diabetic who
wanted an assisted living center (one where residents have their own condos or
apartments, communal dining and recreation, and receive as-needed assistance
with personal care and light medical care needs). But, when his condition
required more care, he couldn't find a facility suitable for him as a gay man.
Many gays and lesbians would prefer, particularly when in such a vulnerable
situation, to be with those who are non-judgmental and better understand their
lifestyle. Another had a brush with death, a kidney transplant, and wanted to
will some of his land to a gay retirement center, when he learned that there
didn't seem to be any! Two of GLARP's founders began looking at the
possibility of building gay and lesbian-friendly retirement-related housing,
and then came to realize that there were a lot more needs which could be met
by creating a non-profit organization.
2. What's the difference between GLARP and AARP?
Well, you might call us "AARP with an attitude and an agenda." There are
a number of differences:
GLARP will focus on gays and lesbian, whereas AARP assumes it meets
the needs of this group without any particular effort. Try calling AARP, say
you're gay or lesbian, and ask for referrals to any special resources.
AARP is limited to the USA. GLARP is international, as we believe
the retirement-related problems and issues of gays and lesbians are not
limited to national boundaries.
AARP is actively political; GLARP is not organized with legislative
committees, but will address political issues through existing gay and lesbian
political organizations as appropriate to a given situation.
GLARP will offer some benefits that AARP does not, and, for the
moment, vice versa. We can't, as a small, start-up non-profit, offer the
breadth of services that AARP endorses, but we think we're going to be much
more realistic about the needs of an aging population. For example, we will
have special offers on funeral arrangements, including caskets and cremation.
GLARP plans to focus on the business of living but not at the expense of
ignoring the fact that we all need to prepare for the inevitable.
3. Are you expecting, and are you prepared to handle, a large response to
news of your existence?
We are a start-up organization and hope that everyone, including the
media, understands that while we have good administrative support services
standing by, great demand for our services will slow down our response. We
will endeavor to respond to every inquiry as quickly as possible. Every
membership application will be processed.
4. How are you funded?
Our start-up monies come from private donations. Future revenues are
expected to be just like AARP's: from membership dues; from fees associated
with endorsing carefully screened commercial products, advertising, etc.; and,
we hope, from private and corporate donors who believe in what we're doing, as
well as foundations.
5. What are some of the special problems faced by retiring gays and
lesbians?
Gays and lesbians, more than the heterosexual population, have the
special problem of a lack of family support. That is added to by a sense of
loneliness and lack of social structures as they age and enter the so-called
"retirement years." Many have relied on their work structure to give them a
sense of identity and purpose and, often, don't have a family to enjoy when
they stop working, the way one would with children or grandchildren.
6. Why not work within mainstream organizations to provide for the needs of
gays and lesbians vs starting a whole new organization? Couldn't you be
accused of fostering separatism?
Yes, some might suggest that. Actually, we think gays and lesbians can
respond best to their group's need. Apparently Jews, Mormons and the like
feel the same way. We are a strong affinity group, but we welcome and
encourage anyone to join us who shares our interests, especially friends and
families of gays and lesbians.
7. Will GLARP be a lobbying organization, like AARP?
No. Political concerns may arise, but GLARP will work with existing
political groups as appropriate to each situation. We will not be an
extension of movements such as the right to get married or the right to have
or adopt children. We don't see old age as a right, it's a reality.
8. What's now being done in this country to provide retirement housing for
gays and lesbians?
Virtually nothing. In our extensive research, the only thing we've been
able to find is a woman's retirement community in Arizona and an isolated
development in the Northeast.
9. What types of businesses, to date, are associating themselves with GLARP
via membership and/or providing benefits and services?
Gay and lesbian professionals have an average annual income of
approximately $56,000 and are big-time consumers, since most lack families and
travel a lot. Not too surprisingly, therefore, our initial business
associations include major car rental agencies (Alamo), cellular phone
services, financial planners and wellness-related services. To come, we
anticipate credit card issuers and a variety of travel-related services, as
well as long-term care providers.
10. The retiring gay population, in particular, will include a number of men
who are HIV+ and/or have active AIDS. Are you going to be associating
yourselves, in any way, with some of the AIDS-related organizations?
We will work with all existing gay and lesbian organizations for the
benefit of our members.
11. What about the fact that there is varying opinion, amongst gays and
lesbians, on whether they want to socialize with the opposite sex much, or at
all? How is this affecting GLARP?
While many gays and lesbians do mix socially, practically speaking this
will have an impact on GLARP's future plans to participate and/or aid in the
development of retirement communities. Many will want separate facilities.
We expect this to take
careful research and feasibility studies, but GLARP will do as its membership
dictates.
12. Will GLARP be involved in retirement/aging-related health care issues of
particular concern to the gay and lesbian community, such as medical decisions
at hospitals, visitation rights and the right to decide not to resuscitate?
GLARP will address any issues important to its membership by way of
action, not politics. If there are things we can do in these areas and a high
percentage of the membership wants them done, we will act. We anticipate
legal issues peculiar to gays and lesbians, such as managing benefits for a
partner upon death under current laws.
13. Will GLARP be involved in retirement/aging-related legal issues of
particular concern to the gay and lesbian community, such as dual
discrimination (age and sexual preference), special considerations in wills
and estate planning, planning for nursing or in-home care, and pensions?
Yes, primarily through existing organizations such as LAMBDA. We expect
that our surveys will tell us of problems, which should be directed to others
for handling.
14. Will GLARP be involved in retirement/aging-related financial planning
issues of particular concern to the gay and lesbian community, such as
retirement planning, estate planning, and insurance with partner benefits?
Yes, this will be one of our major focus points. Benefits development
will be ongoing and modified as the needs are identified.
15. Will GLARP provide means for older gays and lesbians to network and
socialize?
Not directly. In their retirement years, we believe our members'
networking and socializing needs will be stronger than the heterosexual
population's because many lack the social support of their relatives. We will
provide networking and socializing opportunities which will occur secondary to
our educational conferences, publications, travel opportunities, our Web site,
<http://www.gaylesbianretiring.org.>, and ultimately, retirement communities.
16. How do you plan to conduct research about needs of your members and
potential members?
A number of ways:
Through membership application questionnaires.
Through survey forms at our Web site,
<http://www.gaylesbianretiring.org.>
Through publications and special mailings.
Through focus groups at future GLARP functions.
Through association with major educational institutions perhaps
their schools of gerontology which may also want to know more
about our membership's needs.
Through any of these means when it becomes apparent that a
particular issue so warrants.
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