Atlanta Prime Timers brings social connections to older LGBTQ men – Georgia Voice – Gay & LGBT Atlanta News

The Atlanta Prime Timers is a social organization of LGBTQ men over 40. Founded in 1989, the group is the third oldest branch of Prime Timers Worldwide, an organization created to provide social support to older queer men.

“It’s a wonderful organization because as people get older, they tend to become more isolated,” said Jason Calvert, membership director of Atlanta Prime Timers. Georgia Voice“This is even more true for the LGBTQ community, as many people have no ties to their families and some are single. Isolation can lead to a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s, so it’s good to have social opportunities.”

The group has over 150 members, with the youngest member being in his 40s and most members being over 55. About half of the group is single and several couples have been together for 20 to over 50 years.

“A few years ago they lowered the minimum age to join to 21 to allow for more inclusion,” Calvert said. “We joke that we need wheelchair users.”

Atlanta Prime Timers meets for about 30 activities per month, many of which are ongoing events. Some events are weekly, like the group’s long-standing tradition of meeting over a cup of coffee.

“Every Wednesday morning we meet at Panera Bread for coffee and snacks,” said Calvert. “It’s usually a big crowd. The fewest people I’ve seen there are about 8-10, but sometimes there are over 20 people. On Saturdays we do the same thing, but at Brooklyn Bagel & Deli in Ansley Mall with a smaller crowd of three to eight people.”

Other events are held monthly. On the first Saturday of every month, the group hosts a potluck barbecue or game night with 40 to 70 people attending. A new tradition is the monthly movie lunch, where group members watch a movie after eating at the Golden Corral.

“Every second Tuesday of the month, Lips has a PALS bingo charity event,” said Calvert. “The Prime Timers did one three months ago and over 40 Prime Timers came. We raised a lot of money for PALS and it was a lot of fun. The theme was Mrs. Roper, a character from the ’70s TV series ‘The King of Hearts.’ It turned out to be the most popular theme. Almost half the people there were dressed as her, it was great.”

Of course, not every member attends every event, so most meetings have between eight and 80 people in attendance. New events are constantly being added, and members can communicate via email and the Atlanta Prime Timers website to invite others to activities such as movies and karaoke.

Some members are very involved, others attend only a few events, and still others join to receive discounted tickets to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and other theaters.

“We go to museums all the time, to different parks and on tours; we usually do at least two a month,” Calvert said. “A lot of them are repeats. We go one year and then the next year or the year after. I think we’ve been to pretty much every museum in the Atlanta area, and in Cartersville we’ve been to three museums.”

With hundreds of events taking place each year, group members always have something to do. The group has even gone ziplining once and is planning another trip soon. Calvert’s favorite events are the ones he enjoys spending time with friends.

“I like the Christmas parties because more people come,” he said. “On the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, we have a big barbecue. I like the events with big crowds. One of my favorite events is the potluck game night, where everyone brings a snack to share and we play board games.”

At just $30 a year to be a member, some people join just to show their support, and even some members who move away continue to donate. The organization is open to all men who are attracted to men, including trans and bisexual people.

For those considering joining, Calvert offers these words of support:

“What’s the downside of having a group of people to spend time with, especially for older men who tend to sit at home alone,” he said. “You can never have too many friends.”

For more information about Atlanta Prime Timers, visit atlantaprimetimers.com.