Date: Sat, 10 May 97 04:12:36 UT From: "Celeste Mendelsohn" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Further Information: Bernstein Communications, (818) 294-9310 GAY AND LESBIAN ASSOCIATION FOR RETIRING PERSONS LAUNCHED GLARP Fills Niche Ignored by AARP Los Angeles--05 May 97--The Gay And Lesbian Association of Retiring Persons TM (GLARP), an international, non-profit membership organization, has been launched to enhance the aging experience of gays and lesbians. It fills a void in the gay and lesbian communities for retirement-related information and services, as well as providing an ideal environment in which to research, anticipate and provide for its membership's unique needs. Its ultimate plans include establishment of non-profit retirement communities--independent and assisted living--for gays and lesbians in the U.S. and abroad, as well as development of skilled nursing facilities. "Getting older is already challenge enough aging as a gay or lesbian is even harder," says Mary Thorndal, GLARP's executive director. "AARP does a good job for the heterosexual population, but it makes no attempt to address the different needs of gays and lesbians. We're now starting to do so, on a modest scale, and we'll expand as our membership grows." The new non-profit organization has established offices in Los Angeles, started up a Web site , and has negotiated preferred member benefits with service providers in categories including legal services, auto rental, cellular phones and home exercise. There are even discounts on funeral caskets. "Frankly," says Thorndal, "while we plan to focus on the business of living, it won't be at the expense of ignoring everyone's need to prepare responsibly for the end of their lives." Membership is open to anyone there are no age or other restrictions for a $25 annual fee. Three-year, $60 memberships are also available, as are corporate memberships. In addition to discounts on various services, GLARP members will receive the organization's quarterly newsletter, starting in the winter of 1997, which will report retirement-related news of specific interest to the gay and lesbian population, as well as periodic mailings on topics of special interest. Future benefits and services will be dictated by the membership, which will be surveyed regularly. Research will be a very large part of GLARP's first-year operations. Using survey forms at their Web site, through questions on membership applications and in publications, through focus groups and through association with major education institutions (e.g., schools of gerontology), GLARP's leadership plans to pioneer an international collection of information about the retirement-related needs of gays and lesbians, many of whom are "in the closet." Politics/lobbying, however, will not be a significant GLARP activity. "There are already highly effective gay and lesbian political organizations such as LAMBDA and GLAAD," explained Thorndal. "It makes more sense, regardless of resources, for us to work with them, when appropriate." For membership information about GLARP, call (310) 966-1500, write to 10940 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90024, or visit their Web site at . # # # [NOTE TO EDITORS: Press materials or interviews can be requested by calling (818) 294-9310 or by email to berncomm@ix.netcom.com. Press materials can be sent out by fax, email or U.S. mail. Due to non-profit budget limitations, GLARP regrets that materials cannot be sent by messenger or overnight service unless paid for by the recipient.] For more information about GLARP please go to: http://www.gaylesbianretiring.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - For Further Information Contact: Jonathan Bernstein, (800) 248-7616 or Diane Edwardson, (213) 666-1392