Long summer nights

Out hunting photographs at dusk on a balmy summer evening, I came upon these three men I know, all residents of studio apartments in the building where I live. They’re a bit stooped by age, and all are single, white, childless, poor by American standards, and gay. We greeted each other. They were on their way home from dinner at the hospital cafeteria: shepherd’s pie, $5.25.  Pretty good, they told me, not too much onion. One opted for the turkey breast but regretted his choice. An unspoken rule of social life in my building is that you never ask anyone their plans for the evening. Most have none. 

About 30% of all old Americans live alone, but the percentage of gays and lesbians over sixty-five is double that. It takes a heap of creativity to wake up alone, find something useful to do with the day despite health issues, and head into the long night alone. An advocacy organization for LGBT elders says social isolation is a risk-factor for physical and mental illness among the people they serve. Friendship is a life-saver.