Katina Parker of GLAAD wrote to say that Regina Shavers (at left, Union Square Awards), the founder of the only organization in the country geared specifically to older LGBT people of color, had passed away. Parker adds that "during her lifetime [Shavers] worked as a union organizer, helped establish Pride at Work and was former Assistant Director of the NYC Department of Health's HIV Training Institute," and that she was a student of Audre Lorde's. The circle is unbroken. Ms. Shavers leaves many friends, admirers, and mentees, as well as her wife, Rev. Janyce Jackson, who is a pastor of the Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church (Newark, New Jersey). A remarkable person, by any measure, whose vision helped to address a pressing need that will only grow in years to come. Thank you, Regina Shavers.Here's the bio Parker sent:
Regina Shavers founded the GRIOT Circle, "an intergenerational and culturally diverse community-based social service organization responsive to the realities of older lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, two-spirit and transgender people (LGBTST) of all colors."
Regina Shavers had a long history of community involvement and activism.
As co-chair of District Council 37 she advocates for workers‚ rights, and serves on the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Lesbian and Gay Rights Advisory Board. She played an active role in
the Campaign for and Inclusive Family Policy, the citywide coalition that negotiated with Mayor David N. Dinkins to obtain Domestic Partner benefits for New York City employees.
She also helped to found Pride At Work, a constituency group of the AFL-CIO that focuses on the rights and unionization of LGBT workers.
Regina was also the former Assistant Director of the NYC Department of Health‚s HIV Training Institute. Here, she created and implemented curricula for HIV prevention and treatment, including curricula specifically tailored towards older populations. Regina continued with her HIV/AIDS facilitation as a member of the New York Association on HIV Over Fifty (NYAHOF).
In 1995, Regina co-founded GRIOT Circle to combat the lack of community that she had observed amongst LGBT Elders, particularly those of color. She assumed the role of Executive Director of GRIOT in 2000.
Regina Shavers founded the GRIOT Circle as "an intergenerational and culturally diverse community-based social service organization responsive to the realities of older lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, two-spirit and transgender people (LGBTST) of all colors." The goal of GRIOT Circle is to maintain a safe space for elders, provide emotional support and quality programming which affirms age, gender, racial, spiritual and ethnic origins for the over 50 LGBTST community in Brooklyn. GRIOT Circle provides educational and informational forums, referrals to social service providers, health and fitness programs, spiritual wellness, computer training, a friendly visitors program and social outreach. Volunteer members make reassurance telephone calls and visits to homebound, sick or hospitalized persons.
She lead a substancial life giving her time and energy to a great many people.
ReplyDeleteReading this post didn't make me think of my own mortality as it has my eventual olde age. One doesn't hear much about growing old gay (or lesbian).
I forget his name right now, but he is an artist/academic--like you-- a brother, and he has collected stories from black gay men living in the South. I understand a number of these stories are from elderly gay men. These collected stories/interviews are due out sometime as a book.
Bronzebuckaroo, it's E. Patrick Johnson, and the book is Sweet Tea. If you can catch him reading from/performing it, I highly recommend it. Samuel Delany's most recent novel is about an older Black gay poet. It's a rare look into this perspective, sadly too rare; we do need more works that explore not only growing old and LGBT, but also old and black and LGBT.
ReplyDelete"No one has imagined us." (Adrienne Rich)