Grandpa is gay

We come from a wide range of backgrounds and are united in our primary purpose of being useful to younger gay men and of service to the gay and larger community.

A healthy and thriving community honors ancestors, needs elders, depends on adults and invites youth. the CIRCLE understands the West African saying:

“If elders are lost, adults will be lost; and if adults are lost, youth will be lost.”

It has been recognized throughout history and across cultures that life usually consists of four stages—youth, adult, elder and ancestor.

I just don't want you to sell yourself short."

The grandpa then goes on to say that he is sorry Travis was "afraid" to approach him and talk openly about his sexuality.

"I thought I told you several times in the past that you can talk freely with me about anything that concerns you. At our first planning meeting, Ray Hogenson, a founding member, put it succinctly:

“We are planting a tree we will never sit under.”

The CIRCLE makes a distinction between “elder” and “older.” An elder is someone who consciously claims that role through visibility in the community, is aware of being a part of the continuity of life, honors those who went before him, is of assistance to those who are coming after him, and actively tends to the spiritual needs of a community in the broadest sense of the word.

And I told them the whole tragedy of my life, and they understood what happened to me. The CIRCLE shows respect for both elders and olders.

Roshi Joan Halifax, noted elder, shaman and Buddhist teacher, reflected the GAY ELDER CIRCLE’s understanding when she stated:

“The wisdom that we need to solve our problems lies encoded in the depths of our unconscious minds—but it must be evoked by elders who reveal our potential.

An older (senior citizen, old person, golden oldy and so forth) is often a person who celebrates a birthday each year and waits for death with little sense of a larger role for himself in the community. I want to go to sleep, have somebody close to me, not for any other reason, but to be sure that someone cares.

Blank’s grandson Brandon Gross is currently finishing a film that tells the story of his grandparents' marriage. 

“As Holocaust survivors who tragically lost family members, their lives have been filled with darkness.

But I want to. The bigger question may be whether a village can be created that can truly accept and receive them. Being heterosexual is much easier as you don't face possible criticism and prejudice."

He then adds that Travis' boyfriend, Enrique, seems like a very nice man, and he'd welcome him over with open arms anytime.

"Love you," he signs off the sweet message.

Since the tweet was posted just days ago, it has managed to rack up 8.5K retweets and over 200K likes.

Travis even posted a photo of him and his boyfriend in a follow-up tweet.

Needless to say, the original message made a lot of people very emotional.

One person said: "I'm going to cry so much right now.

Those who wish to work as mentors and elders have to keep one eye on the youth—and another on conditions in the village.”

—Michael Meade, Elder and Storyteller

WE ARE A GROUP OF GAY MEN, more or less fifty-five or older, who have assembled to support each other in becoming gay elders.

they're radical homophobic."

Another said: "Now I’m crying, my experience was the exact opposite."

A third joked: "Who is cutting onions in here?"

The grandpa also received plenty of praise for being so accepting of his grandson:

And some people shared their own coming out stories:

Overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support his post received, Travis later wrote in a separate tweet: "the replies under this are so sweet.

wish my parents could tell me the same things, but no. The GAY ELDER CIRCLE is designed to assist gay men and others to make the transition from adult to elder, in the process consciously assuming a new role in the community—a life of continuing usefulness to to others within the context of group support, encouragement, and genuine brotherhood.

im glad everyone is being nice to each other [sic]".