CHAPTER ANNIVERSARY
Austin 1990

One year ago in Austin an organization was started to serve the needs and wants of older gay and bisexual men in Central Texas.  Despite predictions that "It will never go in Austin: Austinites are not joiners", the club boasts membership of over 150 dedicated, enthusiastic members and it continues to grow at the rate of approximately 10 men a month.

"We are obviously meeting a need," says Woody Baldwin, who founded the movement three years ago in Boston, started the local chapter and now serves as its president.  From its inception in Boston, the organization has become international with chapters in Vancouver, New York, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Jackson and Atlanta in addition to Boston and Austin.  Baldwin estimates the total membership to be around 1,000.

For some men, there is the need to socialize with people sharing their same concerns.  For others, it may be the need to get help with problems of health, discrimination, finances or family relationships.  For others, the need may be sexual.  "As people age, these needs must be addressed in different ways, and the larger gay community is not dealing with these needs and wants of older gay and bisexual men", stated Baldwin.

Monthly meetings are a buzz of activity.  During the October meeting, for example, members were asked to sign up for the upcoming events they were interested in attending; these included a rap session, potluck dinner, Halloween party, theater party, band concert, card party, movie and a bar night.  (The last Monday night of each month from 8 to 11 has been designated as "Old Timers Night" at Chain Drive sponsored by Prime Timers).  Glenn Maxey, Texas Executive Director of the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas, gave a stimulating talk.  During the monthly meetings thirty minutes are set aside for refreshments and socializing.

Activities vary from month to month and are dictated by the needs and wishes of members.  If a member suggests an activity, a sign up list is prepared and, if enough show an interest, the event becomes a reality.  This month, eight members from Austin are joining twenty members from Boston and Vancouver and traveling to London for a week.

Many older gay and bisexual men do not feel comfortable in gay bars, therefore, they have no way of making friends and they "fall through the cracks" of gay society.  They become an invisible and unproductive segment of that society.  Prime Timers provides a place for these men to go and feel wanted and respected regardless of their age.  Some have lost their long-time life-mates; others did not learn they were gay until late in life: some are still married with children and grandchildren.  They need gay companionship but did not know where to go: Prime Timers has provided that opportunity.  Baldwin told AAA News he constantly hears remarks like, "Prime Timers turned my life around."; "PT is the best thing that happened to us in our 20 years together."; PT has helped me to feel okay about getting older."; "I never needed a social calendar until PT because I had no place to go.  Now I have a full social life and it is wonderful."  Baldwin, a 70-year-old retiree, added that it's comments like these that keep him working twenty to thirty hours a week on the club.

Dues for members are $15 a year and $22 for couples sharing the same address.  This money is used to defray postage, duplicating and other administrative expenses.  A charge of $1 is assessed for attendance at the general meeting and at parties in members' homes.  "We hope no one is excluded from enjoying the benefits of Prime Timers because of limited financial means," commented Woody.

The group respects the desire of some members to remain anonymous.  Listing in the membership roster is optional and the information contained in the roster is governed by the wishes of the individual members.  Woody told us that you may use a nom de plume it so desired.  The roster lists special interests in the hope that members will contact others of similar interests.  For example, if a person thinks he might like to get back to playing bridge, he can check the roster to see who else is interested and might give them a call.  This allows for people to meet on an individual basis as well as in groups.  Each member receives the club's monthly newsletter.

While the organization is primarily social, members often find themselves getting more interested in gay political issues as they re-enter the gay world.  To celebrate their one-year anniversary, Austin Prime Timers is having a gala banquet, complete with entertainment on November 17th.  All older gay and bisexual men in the Austin Metropolitan and San Antonio are welcome to join the festivities.  Prospective members are invited to attend two functions prior to making the decision of joining the organization.