by Terri Worman

Fernando Mena

One of the highlights of the annual ASA-NCOA Joint Conference is the chance to reconnect with old acquaintances and meet new people -- and that is especially the case at the LGAIN events during the gathering. The 2006 conference was no exception. But what was really exciting is that we got to meet a bright and very enthusiastic young man who gives this writer much hope for aging in the LGBT community well into the future.

Fernando Mena is a sophomore human services and social work student at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I asked Fernando why that major: "I chose that major because there were just too many things I did not think were right -- there were so many people in need of the basics, like food and health coverage. Also because, growing up, my family and loved ones experienced violations of their human rights -- because of the Chilean military coup in 1973. So I thought all these things could only be changed if I was in the system -- being active."

While working out his own coming-out story in the year before the conference, Fernando had read countless books on being gay and the ways different generations had dealt with the process. He told me that "most of the books indicated that the most underserved part of the gay world was the aging group -- and that motivated me to go to the ASA conference and learn more about that portion of the gay community." It was heartening to hear that the healthcare company he worked for paid for his registration and expenses "because they know it is beneficial for them, too."

Learning More and More

When asked what his impressions were of the conference, I could feel his excitement even through his e-mail: "It was lovely to experience that! The stories I heard about being older and dealing with sexuality-related issues -- discrimination, etc. -- the people I met, and the things I learned were just awesome. And it really encouraged me to keep learning more and more."

To that end, I asked Fernando if he had taken any classes directly related to LGBT issues at Kirkwood, and he noted that "the only class I've taken which is related to LGBT issues was ‘Intro to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Psychology’… That class has been really successful at Kirkwood because it doesn't only attract gay students, but there's a lot of straight ones, too! The studies were of great variety…and some aging issues but not too much.

"I think it sucks that we didn't really talk about aging issues," he added. "I feel like elders are left out because people think they're not an important cell of the community. In most people's eyes, older adults don't mean change."

I asked Fernando if he went back and talked to friends, other students and faculty about his experience at the Joint Conference? "I've used a lot of the material I got there for all of my classes," he replied. "And yes, I've told everybody about that conference, and what I learned there. In fact, I already told people about the one in Chicago in March -- I'm so excited!"

Fernando said he also was looking forward to his undergraduate field experience and hoped he might be allowed to do an out-of-state project at Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) in New York City, a group he learned about while at the 2006 Joint Conference.

Excitement, passion and compassion. Not a bad combination of traits for a young gay man coming into his own as an undergraduate at a university in Middle America. I am just as much in awe of Fernando and his future as he was in awe of all of us when he concluded, "It was amazing to see older, gay and successful folks who were there at the conference. I couldn't believe how advanced their work was -- I felt so tiny and powerless, but, oh well!"

Somehow I don't think Fernando Mena will be either tiny or powerless for very long. Welcome to the community, Fernando. We so look forward to working with you -- and we hope to see many more students discovering the field of LGBT aging and joining LGAIN.

Terri Worman is the manager of state operations for AARP Illinois.

Copyright © 2007 American Society on Aging; all rights reserved. This article may not be duplicated or distributed in any form without written permission from the publisher: American Society on Aging, 833 Market St., Suite 511, San Francisco, CA 94103-1824; e-mail: permissions@asaging.org.