For LGBTQ seniors, coming out was infinitely more difficult than it is today. As a result, many have lost years of not being their authentic selves fully and not being able to love who they choose openly. A new cultural awareness campaign, Not Another Second, acknowledges and celebrates the sacrifice, bravery and contribution of LGBTQ elders while sharing wisdom with future generations not to lose another second.
A collaboration between the nonprofit SAGE, Watermark Retirement Communities and one of its newest properties,The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, Not Another Second offers audiences a candid glimpse into the private and public lives of 12 LGBTQ elders who represent a wide range of diverse backgrounds, professions and ethnicities. These include a former politician, military veterans, a Stonewall survivor and Black Panther.
These stories are told through a series of compelling portraits that intersect personal experiences of living when being an LGBTQ individual was a crime. The exhibition, shot by noted German photographer Karsten Thormaehlen, known for his award-winning series 'Happy at 100' focusing on centenarians from around the world, also celebrates their personal journeys on deciding to live openly, as well as finding love and companionship. Each portrait is accompanied by the number of years lost living in the closet and not as their true, authentic self.
"In the 80s and 90s, everybody was scared to death to come out. They didn't know who to trust," said Richard Prescott, who is featured in the Not Another Second exhibition alongside his husband. "I think I lost a lot of years not being myself. That's why this campaign is so important. Not only do we get to share our stories but give courage to younger generations who are still scared of being their authentic self."
Curated and installed by nAscent Art, the exhibition features state-of-the-art Augmented Reality (AR) technology through Kaleida Studio. "AR allows patrons to experience the emotionally-driven stories of each LGBTQ senior in a new, interactive way, adding a whole new dimension to the already moving photography," said Jennifer Wallace, co-founder of nAscent Art.
Not Another Second will make its national exhibition debut in the art gallery of Watermark's newest Élan Collection community, The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights at 21 Clark Street in Brooklyn, in January 2021.
Through the AR technology, visitors will be able to experience candid, one-on-one interviews with the 12 LGBTQ elders as they tell their stories of integrity, resilience and humanity while paving a better way for future generations. These stories come from the individuals who were a part of the generation that led the Stonewall uprising, founded political group ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and helped end the US military policy commonly referred to as "don't ask, don't tell."
The portraits will also be displayed on notanothersecond.com and in a printed, hard-cover book, which includes more than 100 photos of the featured LGBTQ seniors and expands on their individual stories. The interactive website will also feature a short documentary and invite young people to submit questions and receive advice from LGBTQ elders through an "Ask A Senior" program. All funds raised by the Not Another Second campaign and book will be donated to help support LGBTQ young people. Read more via EdgeMedia
LGBT+ seniors have demonstrated great resilience of humanity over hardship throughout the years, paving the way for a better and more accepting future for generations to come.
Not Another Second – the first in a national series of cultural campaigns – tells the untold stories of 12 LGBT+ seniors and explores the years they lost due to societal constraints.
The project acknowledges the sacrifices and contributions of these seniors, celebrates their beauty and bravery and empowers them to share their words of wisdom with younger generations.
LGBT+ seniors are brave pioneers who stood up and pushed back, refusing to be treated as social outcasts, criminals and sinners or seen as mentally ill. Their living legacy includes hard-won federal rights for LGBT+ members to legally marry, adopt, work and seek housing and health care without discrimination.
Despite the gains they’ve helped achieve, today’s LGBT+ seniors still face daunting challenges. Many of the following statistics are reflected in the lives of those interviewed for Not Another Second.
Brooklyn Heights
Not Another Second makes its national exhibition debut in the art gallery of Watermark’s newest Élan Collection community, The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights at 21 Clark Street in Brooklyn, in January 2021.
Free public and socially distanced viewings of the Not Another Second exhibition will take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from January 19th through March 2021. Entry to the Brooklyn exhibition is by timed ticket reservations only. To reserve a time to visit, please visit our reservation page. Following its Brooklyn debut, the Not Another Second exhibition will tour the country throughout 2021, with stops in Élan Collection art galleries in Los Angeles; Napa, California; and Tucson, Arizona.
The portraits will be displayed in an emotionally charged exhibition and will feature state-of-the-art augmented reality (AR) technology through Kaleida Studio. With AR technology, visitors will be able to experience candid, one-on-one interviews with the 12 LGBT+ seniors as they tell their stories of integrity, resilience and humanity while paving a better way for future generations. These stories come from the individuals who were a part of the generation that lead the Stonewall uprising, founded political group ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and helped end the US military policy commonly referred to as “don’t ask, don’t tell.”