Not Another Second: LGBT+ Seniors Share Their Stories

"Not Another Second" tells the stories of 12 LGBT+ seniors. It details the years they lost to societal constraints, years where they were not able to be their authentic selves or openly express their love. It also tells of the triumphs they experienced over these constraints. This book acknowledges and celebrates the sacrifices, bravery and contributions of these seniors and offers wisdom to future generations in the hopes that not one person will lose another second. LGBT+ seniors born in the 1930s, '40s and '50s are the brave pioneers who stood up and pushed back, refusing to be treated as social outcasts, criminals and sinners or seen as mentally ill. Their living legacy includes hard-won federal rights for LGBT+ members to legally marry, adopt, work and seek housing and health care without discrimination. Now in their sixties, seventies and eighties, the 3 million LGBT+ seniors currently living in the United States want subsequent generations to learn from their living history, to be inspired to stand on their shoulders and to continue to fight for what's right. A collaboration between the trailblazing nonprofit SAGE and Watermark Retirement Communities, this book gives readers a candid glimpse into the private and public lives of Pearl, Nick, Mark, Paul, Paulette, Pat, Lujira, Ellie, Reverend Kennedy, Ronnie, Ray and Richard. They are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Their generation led the Stonewall Uprising, founded Act Up and helped end "don't ask, don't tell." These seniors are presented through a series of more than 100 portraits interspersed with stories of their experiences as members of the LGBT+ community. Each moving portrait, captured by noted German photographer Karsten Thormaehlen, is accompanied by the number of years lost, years when they could not live as their true self beyond their inner circle of trusted friends and family. All proceeds collected from the sale of this book will be donated to Watermark for Kids, a nonprofit organization, in support of LGBT+ young people.