Stu Maddux

As a filmmaker, there are a dozen parts of the my message that I am conveying to you without saying a word. I am using sound, speed and light to tell you things.  And with color, the slightest difference can change your perspective.

For example, we are used to seeing old photos in black &white or in faded color.  It makes the people in them seem different than us today.

But take a look at the following  photographs. Do you find a stronger connection to these people merely because the color in their faces is as fresh as if it was captured yesterday?

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This week I had the joy of showing Gen Silent in Oakland, CA at Faith and Aging: A Conference for LGBTQI Spiritual Justice. The day began with a moving speech from LGBTQI elder advocate, Amber Hollibaugh. Amber is the Executive Director of Queers for Economic Justice in New York City. Here is part of her inspirational message:

Amber Hollibaugh – The Role of Congregations in Supporting LGBT Seniors from Rev. Roland Stringfellow on Vimeo.

Monday night, Gen Silent screens to the leaders of area aging organizations from around the country as part of a special reception at the N4A Conference in Washington D.C.

Diane Kaljian, Director Sonoma County, CA Adult and Aging Services (Left) after her recent screening of Gen Silent

Of the many opportunities to help people through this film, I am really looking forward to being there for this one.

These are the people who provide aging services at a local level. It is their case-workers and care-givers who are coming into our homes.  No-one affects the lives of many LGBT older people more than these decision makers.

There is a new national study that will also be highlighted that evening. Ready To Serve shows that a majority of area agencies on aging want to address the specific needs of LGBT older people, but are unsure exactly how to go about it.

Gen Silent subjects Sheri Barden and Lois Johnson

That’s why I am so excited to show the courageous elders in our film, Gen Silent. I think nothing gives the depth of understanding about the unique challenges LGBT older people face in such a short time.    You “get it” after spending an hour in their shoes.

Gen Silent has merely shed some national light on a growing number of resources available to AAAs.   I am so proud as a filmmaker to be sharing the evening with The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, SAGE, Ethos and the Riverside County Office on Aging.

I don't always get to choose my energy drinks on the road

But it’s not a flyby.  I’ll be spending the next two days hoping to hear from AAA directors about their thoughts on the film.   We have created a cultural competency curriculum using film clips.  We are even making the film trailer available to those who want to put it in their presentations.  All to get those statistics above to even out more. I hope folks will say hello, I am the one recovering from the red-eye with the energy drink.

Director Stu Maddux at the podium after taking a red-eye to get to the screening of Gen Silent at the University of Iowa.

My thanks to Robert McFalls, N4A, and Serena Worthington at SAGE for bringing us all together for a movie night!