A stroll through the Slater−Concourse Gallery in the Aidekman Arts Center might yield some surprises. Most of the wall space is occupied by panels of text and quiet portraits of elderly couples or single subjects. A few curious mementos — letters, family photographs, legal documents — set in gold frames beg viewers to ponder their significance and their stories. Against all of this, at one end of the hallway, a cluster of sequins and a shimmering Santa Claus coat glint under the spotlights.
The Santa costume belongs to Frank LaPiana, a 68−year−old gay man and one of 12 subjects chosen for Greta Cottington's undergraduate Senior Honors Thesis — a project that has spilled over into the gallery space in the form of an exhibit entitled "Who We Love: Older Lesbians and Gay Men on Life, Aging and Love."
"Who We Love" began as a research endeavor for the Provost's Summer Scholars Program in June 2009, after Cottington, an anthropology major, read up on studies showing an increase in STDs among elderly residents living in care facilities. As someone interested in working with the elderly and in sexual health, the reports caught her attention. Cottington, whose mother came out as a lesbian when Cottington was nine years old, has long been interested in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy and wanted to find a way to combine this exploration of aging and sexuality with the gay community in Boston.
"You have queer theory and gerontology [the study of aging], and the two have almost no overlap," Cottington said. "We talk about all forms of diversity within the identity of LGBT but we so rarely talk about different generations."
After some background research on issues of aging within the LGBT community — regarding topics such as marriage rights, care taking, health care and other civil liberties — Cottington began networking within two social groups in the Boston area: The LGBT Aging Project and the Boston Prime Timers, a social group for mature gay men.
Through luncheons and other gatherings, Cottington met a dozen Boston seniors who agreed to be interviewed for her project. Some of the interviews, like the one with LaPiana, the outgoing Secretary for the Prime Timers with a passion for colorful drag costumes, were easy.
Others, such as her interview with Richard Cassidy, 69, were more challenging. Cassidy spent 18 years in therapy, with his doctor trying to cure him of his homosexuality through electroshock therapy. He shared all of this with Cottington, crying at times during his story and surprising her with his honesty and openness.
"My questions seemed so insignificant," Cottington said. "I was forced to learn very quickly how to react to someone's very personal story." Cottington said that after her session with Cassidy, she immediately memorized her questions and began looking to have conversations with her subjects rather than trying to fit them into a formulaic study.
"I felt like every time I looked down at my sheet of paper [with questions on it] that I was insulting the conversation," Cottington added. "You have to honor that person's honesty by really experiencing their story."
In addition to experiencing stories that were at times deeply personal and painful journeys, Cottington also had the opportunity to observe the sweeter side of some seniors' histories. While interviewing Lois Johnson, 79, and Sheri Barden, 82 — a lesbian couple who have been vocal advocates and organizers within the LGBT community in Boston for many years — Cottington was struck by the way in which the two women structured their stories around each other.
"It was a really special experience to get to be around two people who have been together so long and are more in love than ever," Cottington said.
Though the thesis project is largely dependent on oral narratives, Cottington's advisor, Dr. Jennifer Burtner of the Department of Anthropology, suggested that she find a way to visually display her research. The result is the collection of personal keepsakes and portraits that makes up "Who We Love." Of the 12 seniors interviewed, nine are represented on the walls of Slater−Concourse, accompanied by photos taken by five student photographers. The inclusion of student photographers, Cottington explained, was also a way to create more links between the college community and the senior community in Boston.
"We sometimes shut ourselves off to the possibility of having social relationships with people much older than ourselves, and that's such a waste of knowledge and experience," Cottington said.
Laura Hill, a senior who photographed Camille Bourque, 83, for the exhibition, claimed that the portrait session — and the search for an image that proved to be candid and genuine — was both fun and challenging. "It was a really great experience as a photographer to have someone facilitating, with a completely willing subject who just sort of opened [her] door to us," Hill said.
Senior Erin Baldassari also contributed several of the portraits that fill the gallery, including the vibrant images of LaPiana and his costumes. "I thought Greta did a great job of picking people who represented a wide spectrum," Baldassari said. "The people interviewed have survived a lot of persecution and won a lot of battles, so now they're finding ways to enjoy their lives and be who they are."
This Friday, Cottington celebrates the project with an open reception from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the gallery. She expects many of the interviewees and their friends to attend, as well as her mother.
"It was amazing to get to know this community," Cottington said. "What I've learned is what people really need and want and have a right to is a community and companionship."
Cottington, in exploring the connections between the LGBT and elderly communities, discovered not only a fascinating academic topic, but a worthy cause to fight for.
"Discrimination against the elderly and against LGBT people is still very much an issue," said Cottington. "This is an example of optimism and hope, but it's important to keep in mind that the reason why this is so special is that it's not the case for a lot of people."
The exhibit will be on display through March 31.
