Raising Our Voices Together
Photo credit: Queens Center for Gay Seniors
Dear friend,
“We have to be visible. We should not be ashamed of who we are.” - Marsha P. Johnson
”I am what I am, I am my own special creation
So come take a look
Give me the hook or the ovation
It's my world that I want to have a little pride in
My world, and it’s not a place I have to hide in
Life's not worth a damn till you can say, ‘I am what I am’“ - Gloria Gaynor
“In the forefront of our move toward change, there is only poetry to hint at possibility made real. Our poems formulate the implications of ourselves, what we feel within and dare make real” - Audre Lorde
June is Pride and Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Older LGBTQIA+ older adults are 30% more likely to develop dementia with more challenges to accessing services that mitigate it. Understanding the profound role social connection, physical activity and positive mental health play in dementia mitigation, more than ever coming together and nurturing spaces for visibility of this community is imperative. We can all play our part to ensure voices of this community are heard and their access to services to promote health and wellbeing are maintained. Our voices matter.
As a dance artist, I have been fascinated with language especially the areas where spoken language fails us, and the other ways we supplement this miscommunication through movement and art. As legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham stated: “We are mostly accustomed to thinking that things have to be done or explained in words. But for me it’s always been movement.” Like poetry, dance allows us to channel emotions into a form of expression that others can witness, join in, and transmute into collective understanding. As Audre Lorde states, “ Poetry inspires action and change by giving form to our hopes and dreams.” I believe dance, specifically co-created dance, invokes similar action in us.
In this month’s issue, read about NYC older adults coming together “Raising their Voices” and demonstrating how collective creativity builds bridges and helps us find a shared language for a path forward. Join us in celebrating Pride in Queens, NY, in San Francisco and around the world, celebrating with LGBTQIA+ elders who paved the way. And read an essay from Dr. Jace Flatt whose research has illuminated the unique experiences faced by LGBTQIA+ elders, people living with dementia and care partners and the importance for education and more studies to ensure this community receives the services they deserve.
In love and solidarity,
