January 14, 2016
by Paige Cooperstein
In a case of poor timing, the LGBT Elder Initiative became a 501c3 nonprofit in June, around the same time the state legislature blew past its first deadline to pass a budget. The impasse continues and the organization has yet to receive more than $11,000 from the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. But it continues to provide outreach activities for LGBT older adults thanks to contributions from the community.
The initiative first started after an LGBT aging summit in October 2010 and took on its current incarnation in April 2011.
To further buoy the LGBTEI, Ed Bomba and other volunteers have organized a 65th birthday party for one of the founding members of the group: Heshie Zinman. “We decided, for milestone birthdays, we’d celebrate them by hosting fundraisers for the Elder Initiative,” Bomba said.
HeshieBowl LXV takes place from 1-6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. It costs $25 to attend. VIP tickets cost $65 and include two drinks, light fare and a tax-deductible donation. Proceeds benefit education and advocacy efforts for LGBT older adults, including underserved communities like transgender people, women and those of color. READ MORE at PGN.