So many queer elders enjoyed themselves at QMUNITY‘s Spring Fling on April 23, 2006 that we needed expand onto the balcony. The Creekside Community Centre venue over looked beautiful False Creek. We were nourished by a generous buffet lunch by Friendship Catering. QUIRK-E member Marsha Ablowitz entertained us with her humorous memoirs Those Were the Lesbians and Sex and Self Defense at UBC.
We also savoured jazz on the sax played by Nikita Carter and an intro to her book Both Sides of the Great Divide which describes her awakening at 60 years of age. A series of shattering experiences led to her being “broken open” to the awareness that she is a trans woman, and that she must make the changes in her life that reflect that truth.
QUIRK-E’s table featured our newly reprinted books as well as the welcoming faces of Marsha, Adriaan and Pat. Other queer senior serving organizations’ tables connected folks with resources from H.I.M., Saige Community Food Share Society, Burnaby NH’s Quest Cafe, Dignity Seniors and Vancouver Parks and Recreation Queer Inclusion Team. Let’s make good use of all these volunteers and service providers to combat social isolation and build the communities that help us age with pride and joy.
