At our first planning meeting, Ray Hogenson, a founding member, put it succinctly: “We are planting a tree we will never sit under.” The GAY ELDER CIRCLE is designed to assist gay men and others to make the transition from adult to elder, in the process consciously assuming a new role in the community-a life of continuing usefulness to to others within the context of group support, encouragement, and genuine brotherhood. It has been recognized throughout history and across cultures that life usually consists of four stages-youth, adult, elder and ancestor. the CIRCLE understands the West African saying: “If elders are lost, adults will be lost and if adults are lost, youth will be lost.” In the process of growing from one stage to the next, both the community and individuals are transformed. We come from a wide range of backgrounds and are united in our primary purpose of being useful to younger gay men and of service to the gay and larger community.Ī healthy and thriving community honors ancestors, needs elders, depends on adults and invites youth. WE ARE A GROUP OF GAY MEN, more or less fifty-five or older, who have assembled to support each other in becoming gay elders.
