|
|||||||||||||
Read more:
Housing / Homelessness / Long Term Care,
Aging Providers,
LGBT Organizations,
LGBT Older Adults
We're steadily creating a resource center that will provide resources across a variety of LGBT aging topics. Tell us what you'd like to see and sign up for updates.
Register Now
|
The Lodge Documentary: A Q&A with filmmaker Pam Walton
![]() December 2020 | Pam Walton
![]()
![]() ![]() Today approximately 100 residents from all over the United States live at The Lodge. The average age is 75; the oldest person is 97. It offers a continuum of care from independent living to failing health.
![]() Tell us more about your interest in filming The Lodge documentary? The facts about LGBTQ residents in conventional/heterosexist restirement communities are grim. One third of LGBTQ seniors over 50 expect to hide their sexual indentity if they move to a retirement community; LGBTQ couples are often not allowed to room with each other; their recreational interests may be ignored; the loneliness and isolation of aging are often compounded by discrimination. In 2013, to help remedy this situation, Fountaingrove Lodge (FGL) in Santa Rosa, CA, was intentionally created for LGBTQ seniors and their straight allies. It’s the first-of-its-kind continuing care retirement community (CCRC ), licensed by the state, that openly reaches out to and welcomes LGBTQ seniors. Today approximately 100 residents from all over the United States live at The Lodge. The average age is 75; the oldest person is 97. It offers a continuum of care from independent living to failing health. During the filming, was there anything that you were surprised to learn? The most profound thing we’ve learned about FGL is about the people who live here. Unexpectedly, this retirement community of about 100 residents feels like a family. What can other retirement communities learn about the importance of diversity and creating welcoming spaces for all through this documentary? Considering the statistics above about LGBTQ discrimination in conventional retirement communities, FGL can stand as an example of a place where people are not only aging together as gay and straight, but also aging in a place that supports its LGBTQ residents. FGL’s example has already had an impact. Other retirement homes have begun to welcome their LGBTQ residents. We are capturing the ambience and energy of Fountaingrove Lodge (FGL) along with the stories of some of its 100 residents. Our film starts with the first person to walk through the door. 92 year old Bill Bryan tells us about moving in on the first day in November 2013 and being afraid the gay flag that flies out front would attract anti-gay slurs from people driving by. Matile Rothschild and Joanie Zimmerman tell us about the actual building of FGL. Matile has been working on LGBTQ+ housing in San Francisco for 30 years. Bill Baird and John Kennedy , a gay couple, and Sharon and Jerry Robison, a straight couple, talk about how they met 40+ years ago. Andrew Dimas talks about his husband who recently died. What message do you hope viewers will take with them and remember from this documentary? FGL can stand as an example of a place where people are not only aging together as gay and straight, but also aging in a place that supports all its LGBTQ residents.
Most of us will face decisions about retirement. “The Lodge” offers a view of retirement in a more and more diverse culture. How can our readers learn more about The Lodge and your other works? The Lodge will be released in early 2021, go to Pam Walton Productions — www.pamwaltonproductions.com © 2011-2021 Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders. All rights reserved. For permission to reprint these articles, or post them online, please e-mail us. |
Find resources in your area
![]() Links to sites that help you find aging sources accross the country
![]()
Resources in Your Area
Advanced Search
Related Resource
![]() Providing Quality Care to LGBT Clients with Dementia ![]() A practical guide out of the U.K. for health care providers working with dementia patients to become aware of clients' sexual orientation or transgender identity and how to address the specific needs of these clients. ![]() See more: Alzheimer's / Dementia, Caregiving, Culturally Competent Care and Training, Health, Aging Providers, LGBT Organizations, LGBT Older Adults |
|||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |