Not Another Second
Event: Intergenerational Desert Bus Trip to Los Angeles Area
Saturday, 24 June 2023 from 8:45 AM to 5:45 PM, members of the various Gay Groups in Palms Springs, and its surrounding cities, had an Inter-Generational Event and immersive experience, as part of Gay PRIDE month.
Organizer
PALS Board Members Richard Bass and Lorraine Carlson. PALS is an acronym for Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors. Its goal is to help people plan ahead before health or death issues occur, be it later life care, legal documents, power of attorney, or death issues.
Participants
The Excursion bus held people representing many of the major organizations of the Desert, as well as students from the College of the Desert. The event was to spark meaningful conversations between different generations of LGBTQ people while on the bus, and during the emotionally charged "Not Another Second" Exhibition.
The VENUE
The Watermark at Westwood Village, CA. The luxurious Watermark, a senior living community offering independent living, and a memory care facility (starting with membership fees of $25,000, with monthly service fees starting at $8,100). On its premises are a University style learning center, private garden, and art gallery/museum, open to the public by appointment. Our booking was scheduled as an exclusive private full-access-public-spaces event. This Excursion included a Chef catered 3-course lunch of salmon and/or lamb in the private dining room.
The Screening
The selection of videos entitled "Not Another Second" are the 12 stories of LGBTQ seniors who detail the years they lost to societal constraints; years where they are not able to be their authentic selves or openly express their love. These Elders and peers endured decades of fear, secrecy, and discrimination because just self-identifying as LGBTQ was a criminal offense in all 50 states. This 45-minute program can be found on line through Google, for those of you interested.
KEY DETAILS
8:45 AM: Chartered Bus departed Palm Springs, Ca.
Once underway, each of the 45 participants introduced themselves by name and age. The age range composite of the passengers was from 20 to 87 years of age. The individuals also identified themselves with their preferred pronouns which for 42 members of the group was She / Her or He / Him. Others were Gender Neutral, Hey You, or Asshole.
Once I was seated, I saw the seats to the side of me, and in front of me were then taken up by students from College of the Desert. Not just any students but the officers from the Gay Union on Campus and activists in political elections throughout the desert itself. They spoke about their lives as young queer people, their decisions in regard to education, school activism, and their worry about career choices in the future. I spoke about my seven decades of life; That I was a member of the religious-educational group called the Prosperos; Spoke about the Prosperos members who were involved with the Daughters of Bilitis, the Ladder, and One Inc. Also the work and friendship with Mary Ritley H.W., M.
11:45 AM: Bus arrives at The Watermark. We are broken into groups A-D for time slots to enter the presentation of - "Not Another Second".
I was surprised by their ability to plan ahead. And each of them had a five-year plan. I was impressed with Wil’s planner; he was an artist and had purchased a blank page book and had created on each page his own planner with drawn seasonal pictures, designs and sayings unique to him and his personal notes. I also notice how he had left spaces for changes in his planner/journal to reevaluate his situation. I was quite impressed with these young people with an eye to their future, but knowing the future relies on their understanding of the past, and working on that to create their future.
5: 47 PM Arrive back in Palm Springs. A little tired. I called for an Uber and once home, reflected on the day with joy. I was feeling a bit shocked about the people needing and wanting help, for clarity to have the courage to step into what they want and to claim it, rather than living the tragedy of societal or organizational ignorance and constraints. These young people were encouraging for me to see that they could live their lives with authenticity, moving into a future of their own creation with eyes wide open to new possibilities and willing to defend that right.
MY TAKEAWAY
Through this diverse group of queer people, it shows me that, in a larger sense, we can all connect with each other for Change. To find a way through community activities that can create the trajectory for progress to happen.
I was in group C, so I decided to have lunch before my group went to the presentation. My plan then was to spend time in Watermarks garden, library, and their “university” style learning space, where they have the new wave AI-Powered Headsets, and are working in conjunction with UCLA’s Longevity and cognitive training and class programs. As it turned out, some of the Black Brothers of the Desert engaged me in conversation about new plans they were formulating for the coming year. This was followed by a participant from one of the other groups in attendance, who wanted to speak to me about writing because he had been directed to my website by a mutual writer friend. He did not dream I would be in attendance and thus available for conversation.
12:30 PM: I experienced the "Not Another Second" interactive presentation. This was after a delicious 3-course buffet lunch. After the presentation, I ventured into the patio garden, where I participated in getting to know some of the other participants and in our shared stories. My plan to explore the Library, and learning annex, was cut short due to plans to leave early so we could get back before 1800 hours.
2:45 PM: Back on the bus for our ride back to Palm Springs. I found I was again seated in proximity to Wil and Isabella, two of the College Students. They talked about the importance of being challenged in our thinking and our work. Their gratitude to their teachers and counselors that challenged them to do better or go beyond their comfort zone. and having the courage to be authentic self.
I could speak to my experience that life is not always what it seems, and if they are being political, they should attempt to go deeper than what is presented as surface ideas, no matter if it is aligned with their belief or not. Look at all sides, and if a ruckus is being made to get your attention, look in the other direction to the man behind the curtain, to what they might not want you to see, like in the Wizard of Oz. We talked about how within each decade there are new or different angles to problems and challenges that you will face, and how to remain conscious of the future through your planning.
Know that It will need emotion (meaning to emote or to move). This means an Emotionally-charged interactive process within the Self, That fosters inner actions with others to change the conversation. A shift to conscious awareness of what is really going on in the conversations we have and to muster the courage to do what must be done. For that kind of change to occur, what is needed is clarified conscious courage to take action. Nothing changes without the courage to act. And that time is NOW.
The Title of this event said it all - “Not Another Second.” It repeats for me on its own “Not Another Second.”
