Retirement Options Grow as Gay Boomers Find More Mainstream Acceptance
Retirement Options Grow as Gay Boomers Find More Mainstream Acceptance
The generation of gays and lesbians that literally created the modern LGBT movement — from the heroes of the 1969 Stonewall riots to their slightly younger friends — is at, or nearing, retirement age.
That used to mean the beginning of an extremely difficult time in an LGBT person’s life. But as gay baby boomers find more acceptance in mainstream society and continue to do what they’ve always done — push to make a better world for the LGBT community — their retirement options are slowly improving. That is, if they decide to retire at all.
“The notion of retirement has never been a part of my vocabulary,” said Bob Witeck, CEO and co-founder of Witeck Communications.
Nearly 61, Witeck has put some thought into what he should do with his strategic public relations and marketing firm as he gets older. Like many friends his age who are also entrepreneurs, he plans to keep working.
Bob Witeck, right, and his partner, Bob Connelly.
“Because I run a business, as I get older I can change the intensity of my engagement in the kinds of work I take on,” Witeck said. “I know I’m lucky that way, and I’m lucky in my personal life as well. My husband is 50, so I have a younger man to help me if I need it,” he said, laughing.