CARP, Canada's Largest Association for the 45plus Launches PinkCARP, the First Chapter for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Zoomers 45plus
Under the leadership of President Moses Znaimer, CARP, Canada's largest and most powerful association for the 14.5 million Canadians 45plus, is proud to announce the formation of PinkCARP, Canada's first chapter uniting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Zoomers 45plus.
CARP welcomes renowned fashion icon Wayne Clark as its first official member and ambassador. After four decades of red carpet glamour and now almost 60, Wayne spoke about his own experience trying to "write the next chapter of his life" at a press conference in Toronto. “Like many others in the gay community, aging was simply something I didn’t want to talk about. By not talking about it we’ve allowed the issue of aging to become negative. As a voice for PinkCARP my hope is to ignite dialogue in regards to aging in the gay community. Maybe if we start talking about it, it won’t be such a terrible thing."
The idea for PinkCARP originated with Chapter Chair John Thornton, affiliated with CARP via his work as VP Digital Content/Operations for ZoomerMedia Limited. Also producer of the popular travel series PINK PLANET, John observed that the global LGBT community was single-mindedly youth-obsessed. Now in his mid-40s, John decided to take a leadership role in defining the way the LGBT community wants to age – on their terms, with pride. "A good friend of mine once said to me, ‘shoot me when I’m 50’. Nobody wants to get old and nobody wants to think about getting old, but as a community it is time. We have to start thinking and talking about it."
PinkCARP will be a “virtual” chapter with no geographical boundaries, uniting CARP and its LGBT members with a strong and influential National voice.
As the first generation of openly “Out” Zoomers approaches the years traditionally known as “retirement”, CARP is a pioneer in acknowledging this community and raising awareness of the distinctive challenges they encounter as they age – housing, health care, legal rights, and long-term care.
According to Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders, LGBT seniors are:
- twice as likely to be single
- four and a half times more likely to have no children to call upon in time of need
- two and a half times more likely to live alone
Research also indicates that LGBT seniors are five times less likely to access senior services than the general senior population. After decades of progress in the fight to live openly and proud, how horrible would it be for members of this community to find themselves “back in the closet” because of homophobia in nursing homes or discrimination by health-care providers?
All CARP members support a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Canada's 45plus population. For only $34.95 per year, members receive 9 issues of ZOOMER Magazine and an annual membership card for exclusive savings on hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on relevant products and services, PLUS CARP ACTION ONLINE, a bi-monthly e-newsletter that keeps members up-to-date about the important Advocacy work being done on their behalf. A reminder that you don’t have to be 45 or retired to join CARP – and gift memberships are available.
CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada, social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care, and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP's mission. Visit CARP.ca.