GLBT Aging Summit Forges a
New Level of Dialogue

More than 70 GLBT people, allies, academics, service providers, and elected officials gathered at Spirit of the Lakes UCC Church in Minneapolis this past weekend for the 2008 GLBT Aging Policy Summit, organized by OutFront Minnesota and GLBT Generations, and funded in part by Philanthrofund and First Unitarian Society Foundation of Minneapolis.

Participants engaged in discussions about what they saw as public policy priorities for the aging GLBT population including legal rights for same-sex couples and respectful nursing home and assisted home health care; and heard from Minneapolis City Council Member Gary Schiff, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, State Senator Scott Dibble and State Representative Karen Clark.

Keynote speaker Amber Hollibaugh, aging issues senior strategist at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, gave an inspiring and energizing presentation covering national issues, partnerships, organizing, and policy work.

University of Minnesota Professor Jean Quam was honored with an award for her years of outstanding work in the field of GLBT aging. Excerpts from the film “Word Is Out” kicked off lively discussion with panelists (former state senator) Allan Spear, John Yoakam, and Eileen Thomas.

Christopher Bargeron, MSW, and Cathy Croghan presented information from recent research studies.

Watch for upcoming information about the issues and priorities identified by GLBT community members and others in attendance.