Blane Dessy

On Friday, Nov. 14th, members of Aging with Pride Erie, Older Wiser Leaders (OWLS) of the Persad Center, Pittsburgh, and Rainbow Pioneers from the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland met for the first time to get to know each other, discuss mutual concerns, and plan for the future. Hosted by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, approximately 30 people came together for discussions, lunch, and a wonderful afternoon spent at the Cleveland Art Museum. Everyone agreed that there should be more collaborative planning in the future as people discussed issues facing older LGBT individuals in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.

On September 5th, members of Aging with Pride (AWP) will travel to Pittsburgh to meet and socialize with members of Older Wiser Leaders (OWLS) from the Persad Center.  The day will include a luncheon and a trip on the Gateway Clipper, Pittsburgh's famous river tour boat. AWP members will carpool from Erie to Pittsburgh.  This is the second time that members of AWP have met with the OWLS; the first being a trip to Erie by the OWLS earlier this year.  This is also the second time that AWP members have traveled to Pittsburgh.  The first trip was to visit the Warhol Museum and to have lunch on Pittsburgh's North Shore.

Over the days of August 21st through August 24th, members of Pittsburgh Prime Timers, a chapter of Prime Timers Worldwide, will be traveling to Erie to attend the Erie Tall Ships Festival as well as socialize with Erie’s own Aging with Pride members.  Prime Timers Worldwide is an international social organization for older gay and bisexual men with chapters throughout the United States and Canada.  Planning has been occurring for several months, and it is anticipated that approximately twenty Prime Timers will travel to Erie for the events. In addition to Tall Ship events, Prime Timers and Aging with Pride members will meet for a joint dinner meeting on Thursday, August 21st, at the Wooden Ladle Restaurant and then meet for a picnic on Friday, August 22nd, at Presque Isle State Park.  Other joint activities may be planned as the Tall Ships event draws closer.

Several months ago, Aging with Pride Erie was approached by the OWLS (Older Wiser Leaders) group from the Persad Center in Pittsburgh to discuss joint programming and activities in the future. Those plans are one step closer to fruition as the two groups met on March 2 to discuss social activities in Erie and in Pittsburgh for older LGBTQA+ adults. The OWLS have expressed an interest in traveling to Erie (in warmer weather) to meet and to enjoy activities that Erie offers:  museums, restaurants, boat cruises, Presque Isle State Park, and other attractions. A committee of Aging with Pride members is now at work drafting several suggested activities for the Pittsburgh OWLS. The tentative date for this Aging with Pride/OWLS event in Erie is May 18.   Likewise, the OWLS are looking at opportunities in the Pittsburgh area that would appeal to Aging with Pride members in Erie. This activity would occur later in the summer. There is great enthusiasm on the part of both organizations to collaborate on shared activities and programs. Members of both groups are familiar with Erie and Pittsburgh and are looking forward to building a strong partnership that enriches older LGBTQA+ people.