Are you a gay or bisexual Asian Pacific Islander (API) man at least 35 years old? Are you new to the San Francisco Bay Area or are you just visiting? Have you ever been to a "GAPA 35 Plus" gathering? First-time attendees are especially welcome! If you are a gay/bi API man, at least 35 years of age, "GAPA 35 Plus" is for you! "GAPA 35 Plus" is all about you! "GAPA 35 Plus" is your voice.
GAPA 35 Plus is social and conversational group ONLY for gay/bi API guys who are at least 35 years of age. It is a safe space for this group of guys to chat, socialize and learn from each other's experiences. It meets for dinner (usually potluck) once a month (every 2nd Sunday except in the month of May when the meeting is held on the first Sunday of the month in deference to Mother's Day). Dinner is followed by a facilitated discussion of various topics such as relationships, dating, family, being gay/Asian/older, mature men's health issues, retirement planning, coming out later in life, sexual issues, etc. Our conversations are informal. We encourage attendees to participate at their own pace, in whatever way makes them comfortable. Attendance is free and confidentiality is observed. There are usually from 10 to 20 participants.
We meet mostly in San Francisco and the East Bay at the homes of participants. The home setting contributes to a relaxed and casual environment. Even for non-RSVP meetings, attendance confirmation is appreciated. You do not have to be a member of GAPA to attend, but you have to be a gay or bisexual API man, and at least 35 years of age. You can volunteer to be a meeting facilitator or be a host by letting your home be a meeting venue. Let us know what month(s) (1st Sunday in May/2nd Sunday all other months) you are available to facilitate or host in 2009 and 2010. Also, you can recommend to us a future conversation topic of your choice. Contact dion@gapa.org .
RAP DISCUSSION GENERAL GUIDELINES: (1) What is discussed in the rap discussion room stays in the room;(2) Everyone's opinion or experience will be respected; (3) Speaking or voicing an opinion in the meeting is voluntary and every attendees has a right to choose to be silent; (4) Nothing in the discussion is meant to replace professional advice that is specific to an individual; (5) Rap discussions are for sharing of experiences, information or opinion, and are not therapy sessions; (6) Some discussions may at times include material suitable only for mature audiences.
We thank all the current and previous co-coordinators, hosts, co-facilitators and participants through the years who have made GAPA 35 Plus what it is today!
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/gapa35
2010 Schedule
13 June "Gay Friendly Businesses & Professionals" Hayward CA, 6PM
11 July "Your Greatest & Most Memorable Life Experience(s)" Hayward CA, 6PM
(Complete Address & Directions Upon RSVP to vincentbad@yahoo.com)
8 August 2010, 6:00PM
San Francisco CA (Bernal Heights)
Rap Topic: Generation Gap In Relationships
RSVP dion@gapa.org
Everyone has experienced some forms of generation gap whether it
is in a romantic relationship, with friends, with family or with
colleagues. In fact, GAPA members say it exists in our own organization.
How does this generational division show itself? Can it be bridged?
Is it something created by the individuals or is it a natural development
as we age? In this session, we will attempt to analyze the idea of
generation gap and perhaps think of ways to encourage better
understanding with those who are older and/or younger.
12 September 2010, 4:00PM
Richmond, CA (East Bay)
Rap tropic: Retirement Planning - Part 3
RSVP dion@gapa.org
This topic has proven to be so popular & encompassing that we have
been requested to continue discussing, reviewing & expanding on
preparations for our golden years & to make sure they will be “golden”.
Those of us who are retired still need to plan because the economic,
health & social conditions change with the years. Retirees can also
offer advice and/or give examples of what they experienced &
implemented along with the results.
On the other hand, those still in the work force may be able to keep
us abreast of the latest developments in retirement planning. Thus,
this discussion is a two-way street on which both groups can exchange
information & suggestions regarding this important aspect of life.
10 October 2010, 6:00PM
San Francisco (Sunset District)
Rap topic: Asian Humor in the Arts
RSVP dion@gapa.org
Humor differs with different cultures. We often experience this when
watching films, plays, books, & real-life intercultural exchanges and
what seems funny to one person/group is incomprehensible or even
sad to another person/group. A specific example is the “Asterix”
comic strip in Europe which falls completely flat in the USA.
We also have to compare humor within the various Asian societies;
there are many inter/intracultural misunderstandings here too.
14 November, 6:00PM
San Francisco (Dogpatch District)
Rap topic: Caretaking: Receiving & Giving
RSVP dion@gapa.org
As we live longer, the demand for caretakers is growing and we may
end up taking care of our parents, relatives and friends or we may need
a caregiver ourselves. Since some of us are already taking care of
love ones, we can disseminate what we experienced & learned. Those
of us who haven’t encountered this situation can ask questions. Because
there is the possibility we will need assistance someday; thus, we will
discuss the process of selecting & employing a caregiver.
19 December 2010, 6:00PM
San Francisco (Sunset District)
Rap topic: In & Out of the Closet
RSVP dion@gapa.org
(This doubles as the GAPA 35-Plus Holiday Gathering!)
Gay society uses the term “in & out of the closet” to describe if someone
is hiding his homosexuality or living openly as a gay/bisexual man.
However, in real life many of us are only partly “out”; that is, we open
ourselves to some acquaintances but not others. How does one handle
this dichotomy? In switching from one to the other, what problems are
encountered? What does one feel personally in one mode & the other?
Whom do we come out to & stay inside from? We will try to see this
situation from various viewpoints & perhaps offer some solutions to
this inner & outer conflict.
