From the Editor: LGBT elders encompass a timeless spirit

Our society and culture tells us to seek everlasting youth. We are bombarded by advertisements insisting laugh lines and wrinkles need to be concealed. Infomercials tell us we can reverse the superficial signs of the aging process, and only by doing so can we stay attractive, confident and beautiful.

At a mere 47-years-old, actress Diane Lane endorses anti-aging cosmetics for Neutrogena:

“When it comes to looking younger, you’ll try anything. And by now, you’ve tried everything. Stop. It’s time for a rescue. Neutrogena’s three-product kit combines Neutrogena’s most powerful anti-aging technologies to transform skin in just 14 days.”

Aging – which, despite all efforts, is impossible to stop – is something to be feared, we’re told.

But as we spoke to LGBT seniors for this issue, we heard a different and much more applicable message: The body ages, but the spirit is timeless. The only true power an individual has over aging is one’s interpretation of it – whether or not we let it hold us back. And the four seniors in our cover story gave us an inspirational look at what aging means in an LGBT community often said to be obsessed with six-pack abs and body waxing.

Seniors Pat Barrington, Dennis Dougherty, Bobby Gates and Corky Blankenship were unabashed about their journeys and experiences.

We learned that with age comes wisdom, a softening of the spirit, and yes, beauty. Our seniors challenge our stereotypical notions, helping us see graying hair and laugh lines as badges of experience and inspiration.

These seniors transformed the idea of aging – from a feared notion to one of abandoning pretense, retiring our vanities and becoming more and more our true selves over time.

Long before our cover story came to life, we knew there had to be a place in it for Corky Blankenship. Blankenship is famous for his Pride season pool parties, and has become a familiar, one-man dancing institution at Tracks – always lit up by a jovial grin and the best moves on the techno-pumped dance floor.

At 67 years old, Corky’s personality makes him a true legend embracing the spirit of the LGBT community.

When I told Blankenship we wanted to put him on the cover, his excitement leapt out of the telephone.

“That is a dream! I would love that!” he said. We knew this issue would be special.

As I was busy scheduling the photo shoot with the other three, I was struck by their eagerness to represent who they are. I had thought they might approach appearing on the cover with hesitance.

Barrington said that at her age, she has nothing to hide. She revealed a characteristic audacity: “Have I ever met you before?” she asked me, “Because I usually only remember the names of people I’ve had an affair with.”

She is feisty, confident and a busy social butterfly.

Seniors are often thought of as conservative, restrained and easily offended by evolving cultural sensitivities. That was nothing of the case for those we met – mirthful and gregarious, they surprised us with their appreciation for raunchy humor.

At the photo shoot, Barrington was anything but shy – playfully trying to convince our Assistant Art Director Sara Decker to take her clothes off to “inspire” a better photo shoot, while Gates told Barrington to adjust her “tits” so they could all fit in the shot.

Decker said it was the most entertaining photo shoot she’s done in her seven years at OFC. “Dirty birdies,” she later told us with a laugh, “they were great!”

And Blankenship, arriving in skater-style Airwalks and a fabulous baby blue fedora, was eager for his first appearance on the cover of the LGBT publication he’s followed for now 36 years.

We credit LGBT seniors for the progress we’ve enjoyed, allowing us to be more out and open than any previous generations in our country’s history. Being out wasn’t always easy; in our cover story you’ll read accounts of marrying the opposite sex to fit in, or being relegated to a social underground.

As state legislators press for relationship recognition in the form of civil unions in Colorado, we can’t forget the implemental movers and shakers that for decades fought to make this step a possibility.

They haven’t stopped being activists: As seniors they’re founders social organizations like Prime Timers, Golden Girls and senior coffee groups and happy hours.

Out Front Colorado heartily thanks our seniors for sharing stories and laughs during the production of this issue. We’ve much to learn from your accounts, and even more to learn from your carefree spirits, contagious personalities – and yes, even your dance moves.