Profiles

Fall 2020

Summer 2020

Spring 2020

BA San Francisco State University

MA New College of California

WYSE International Elder Workshops, Italy (2009-2012)

Eldership Academy Workshop, Italy 2017

Sage-ing International Conferences and Workshops

Gary "Buz" Hermes has worked in human services his entire career, including designing and implementing programs for persons with disabilities and seniors.  For the last 35 years he has also served as an advocate on behalf of the LGBT community..  Most recently he has focused on combining his passionate research into conscious aging strategies with his years of experience working with seniors to serve his aging LGBT peers.     

Work and Consulting Experience: 

Currently:

LGBT Aging Consultant

LGBT Seniors Discussion Group Facilitator:  The Spahr Center, Marin County

LGBT Seniors Discussion Group Co-Facilitator:  Sonoma Valley LGBT Seniors

Previously:

LGBT Aging Consultant:  Sonoma County Adult and Aging Services

Sernior Services Coordinator:   Mercy Housing, Marin County; PEP Housing, Sonoma County

Seniors Program Staff Member:  Spectrum Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns, Marin

Program Coordinator: Kairos Support for Caregivers, San Francisco

Program Manager: Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), Marin Housing Authority

Professional Areas of Interest: 

LGBT Aging Issues

Conscious Aging Strategies

Presentations and Publications: 

Presenter on innovative senior programs at conferences of National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, American Society on Aging, California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, National Association of Service Coordinators.

We lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders have another layer of concerns on top of the usual challenges of aging.  Those concerns might include low self-esteem after many years of having to living in a hostile culture, fear of continuing judgment and discrimination by healthcare, homecare and aging service providers, isolation and lonliness due to loss of peers and lack of family support, and lack of financial security due to having worked in a low-paying career.  The "Aging Gayfully!" class addresses those concerns in addition to the usual aging challenges through weekly presentations of a relevant topic or resource followed by a facilitated group discussion.  In addition, students frequently form supportive connections with each other that extend outside of the class.