NYC Mayor Bloomberg sets aside funding for LGBT senior center

I’m a New Yorker (17 years and counting), and while I’m hoping to move to our house in the New Jersey countryside one of these days, it’s great to see that LGBT seniors are being included in initiatives for NYC seniors. From SAGE News: WNYC News Blog- http://www.wnyc.org
Friday, May 06, 2011 – 05:22 PM
By Kathleen Horan Mayor Michael Bloomberg set aside between $3 million and $5 million in his budget to fund 10 ‘innovative senior centers’–including one for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered New Yorkers. Advocates estimate there are more than 100,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered New Yorkers over 65 living in the five boroughs – and they are twice as likely to be living alone and much more likely to be childless and disconnected from their families. “Many LGBT seniors feel like they have to go back into the closet as they age,” said commissioner of the city’s Department for the Aging, Lilliam Barrios-Paoli. “Every senior center is a place where people feel welcomed. It’s difficult to feel that way when you can’t be who you are. This center will be like every other center except LGBT people will be welcomed and accepted for who they are.”]]>