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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 2005

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Old Lesbians Organizing for Change forms Ohio group

by Sally Tatnall

Columbus-The first-ever Ohio chapter of Old Lesbians Organizing for Change met in Columbus on May 7.

Fourteen women had a wonderful time attending, and there is a lot of energy to continue. The women talked about getting older and why it is important to call oneself old: it confronts the overwhelming societal impression that getting old is a very bad thing and should be avoided at all costs.

OLOC challenges ageism, the ideology, power and influence, that elevates all persons of one age over those of another age. Aging is simply ongoing development, a continuing process. The women gathered talked about various ways to confront ageism as well as to articulate values.

The OLOC national web site notes that it is ageist to:

• consider "young" a compliment and “old” a derogatory synonym for ugly, decrepit, out-of-date. ("You don't look your age.")

speak or do things for an old lesbian instead of letting her speak or do things for herself, and to assume she needs help.

view an old lesbian either as a burden or

a role model, rather than as an equal with whom a reciprocal relationship is desirable.

• patronize a courageous old lesbian by trivializing her anger as “feistiness.” (Would you call Superman "feisty"?)

categorize an outspoken old lesbian as "complaining,” “difficult” or “crotchety.”

assume automatically that an old lesbian is asexual.

•be unsupportive of an old lesbian looking for a partner, or disrespectful of an old lesbian's choice to be single.

⚫ not to confront ageist remarks because

Films

Continued from page C-1

The first two, by out Spaniard Pedro Almodovar, are cinematic gems that openly embrace transgenderism in all its beauty and with all its blemishes. The two films are quintessentially

Almodovar where the maverick director blends multiple storylines in moving and magical ways. As always the performances in his films are perfect. These are films one can watch over and over and continue to discover new things embedded within.

The Crying Game became a cult hit, as did Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The first from England and the second from Australia are both dramatic, realistic portrayals of the chaos and confusion that comes from being transgendered, particularly in the realm of relationships with lovers and family.

The Crying Game is a wonderful thriller set in Ireland with a wry performance by Jaye Davidson. Priscilla features fabulous costumes and a duo of career drag queens and their post-transition friend who go on a treacherous and turbulent road trip.

Television has been less daring, but two pieces stand out. Queer scribe Armistead Maupin's adaptations of his Tales of the City books tackle head on the issue of transgenderism with poignancy and humor.

they are "not really meant that way.”

Old Lesbians Organizing for Change is a national organization of regional groups for lesbians 60 and over with a national leadership centered in the OLOC steering committee.

OLOC challenges ageism, the ideology, power and influence that elevates people of one age over those of another.

OLOC is committed to empowering old lesbians in the common struggle to:

• confront ageism within our own and the larger community

sion

explore who we are and name our oppres-

• analyze our experience of ageism by sharing our individual stories

develop and disseminate educational

material

• facilitate formation of new groups and stimulate existing groups to confront ageism make our presence a visible force in the women's movement and in the lesbian community.

The next meeting will be June 25 for a picnic and swim in Central Ohio. For more information call Sally Tatnall at 216932-0977.

Sally Tatnall is organizing the nascent Ohio chapter of OLOC.

The entire series is worth watching, particularly for its stellar cast.

Normal, an HBO film with Jessica Lange and Tom Wilkinson, is not such a great film, but it does take the public through the harrowing ride of being transgendered in our society.

Finally, two other films are worth mentioning. The Thai import Iron Ladies tells of an all-gay volleyball team, including one

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

transgendered player, who win championships against all odds. The film tackles the tricky attitudes towards gay masculinity and femininity in Thailand.

Closer to home, the mini-documentary about a Dayton troupe of drag queens called The Rubi Girls is a hilarious and touching tale of men who dress as women and perform to raise money for AIDS and teach the world or two a thing about queer stereotypes.

As Pride celebrations commence this season, these films certainly celebrate transgendered people.