Tonight from 7 p.m.-9 p.m., the Gay Community Center of Richmond hosts their first discussion group for lesbians over forty. According to GCCR Volunteer Coordinator Cindy Bray, the group will fill a much-needed niche for the community. The meeting will be organizational gauging interest in the group.
“At the Saffire concert, there were women that hadn’t seen each other in thirty years or so,” Bray said.
After the concert, women mentioned to Bray how having a group like this has been missed. With the interest in rebuilding the group, community members have stepped up to help facilitate. For now, Bray is the point of contact until the group fully develops.
According to a GCCR survey conducted last year, women in this age bracket have been looking for social activities and a place to share dialogue. One of the facilitators Bray is working with plans to build a social network.
“Part of [having the group] is just the aspect of having something that’s not bar-related and to have a chance to socialize,” Bray said.
She said the group might discuss issues that are pertinent to women over forty. As they grow older, some lesbians may not have the support they need.
“People are getting older and don’t have a family member that can pick up the slack,” she said. “It’s building your own family.”
The group will meet in the GCCR Gallery. For more information, e-mail Bray at volunteer@gayrichmond.com or call 804.622.4646 ext. 22.
Each year, the Gay Community Center of Richmond, offers non-profit organizations dedicated to positively impacting the lives of the LGBT community an opportunity for funding. This year, they have awarded $40,000 to the following organizations.
From Jay Squires of the 