Membership

The GAY ELDER CIRCLE is always in the process of intelligently enlarging itself. There are four steps involved if you are interested in becoming a member of the Circle. Approach them as four successive initiations. Generally, we suggest that a gay man be 55 or older to become a member. At the same time, we recognize that one’s maturational age and gay consciousness is as important as one’s chronological age in claiming the role of gay elder. The CIRCLE operates on the basis of attraction not promotion.

1. Initial Invitational Activity:

The first step is to attend an orientation meeting for the GAY ELDER CIRCLE or a public event sponsored by the CIRCLE. Get to know us a bit before becoming engaged. Be sure to request having your name added to the CIRCLE’s e-mailing list so that you can be notified of our next new member’s orientation meeting or public event.

2. Gay Elder Weekend Workshop:

The second step is to attend and successfully complete a structured weekend workshop titled Becoming a Gay Elder: Archetype of the Spiritual Father which meets for a weekend in Los Angeles on a Friday evening (7-10 p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.). After this workshop, participants will decide if they want to continue with the process of becoming a CIRCLE member.

3. A Period of Getting To Know You:

The third step involves a short period (e.g., four months) of getting to know you. Each prospective CIRCLE member will participate in CIRCLE activities, meetings and discussions but not in CIRCLE voting. After a minimum waiting period, prospective members will decide if they want to be initiated into the CIRCLE and will request initiation when they feel ready.

4. Gay Elder Initiation Ceremony:

The fourth step, upon the CIRCLE acting positively upon the request for initiation into the CIRCLE, involves an initiation ceremony as a Gay Elder conducted by the CIRCLE.