In the late 1960s, Brown turned her attention to politics. She became active in many key causes, including civil rights, the Vietnam war, Gay Liberation and feminism. An early worker in the National Organization for Women, Brown angrily resigned in January 1970 because of its homophobia. She fought back with the “Lavender Menace” and protested the exclusion of lesbians from the women's movement. She also helped establish the Furies Collective, a lesbian feminist newspaper group that saw heterosexuality as the root of all oppression.
 
Brown’s experiences in academia and the civil rights movement inspired her earliest writing. Her first novel, Rubyfruit Jungle (1973) is an unprecedented lesbian coming-of-age story. Brown’s poetry is just as compelling. Her scathing social critiques are collected in A Plain Brown Rapper (1976). Her work as an animal rights activist is a presence in many of her later books.
 
Brown has published nearly a book a year since the 1970s and generated a daunting body of work. Her murder mysteries have topped the bestseller lists, and her ideas and scripts have been made into films and television shows. Slumber Party Massacre spoofed the slasher movie, and her work on I Love Liberty was nominated for an Emmy.
 
Despite her success, Brown still sees herself as vulnerable. On her web site she distinguishes the individual from society as a whole: “You can hurt me. You can hate me, but do it because you know me, not because I’m a member of a group.”

Chair Yoga for Seniors with Lori Wise, every Monday (for 8 weeks starting April 8), 2:00 PM at the Center; Free
Contact defrankvintage@gmail.com for more information.

Niles Canyon Railway Caboose Wildflower Excursion
Fremont departure: Sunday, May 19th 2:30 p.m.
$10.00 per person, $15.00 includes box lunch, Water and snacks provided free.
Deadline to register is Monday, May 13th.
@408.390.9563, defrankvintage@gmail.com

Article in FrontRunner's Newsletter:
I always think of that old saying,” It’s not your grandmother’s insert subject here…” when I think of the Vintage Group at the Billy De Frank center. I fight the urge to tell people “Well, it’s not your grandmothers’ social senior group.” We are lesbian gay bisexual grandmothers and grandfathers and non-grandparents who have found a place to be ourselves, finally. The Vintage Group is a safe, noisy, colorful bunch of folks who, having spent much of their lives fighting to belong, have found a place to belong.

The centerpiece of the group is Wednesday lunch. The lunch is a part of the Senior Lunch Program of Santa Clara County and it’s open to anyone over 60 years old. Wednesday lunch is held at 11:30 a.m. in the center’s ballroom. We ask for a donation of $3.00, but no one is ever turned away for lack of funds.

Immediately after lunch is the speaker’s series, featuring speakers and presentations on gardening, nutrition, almost anything senior gays would like, even squeezing in a film screening or two. The series recently screened the award-winning documentary Gen Silent, a new LGBT documentary that asks six LGBT seniors about their experience hiding their identities to survive and the high cost they paid in doing so.

Of course, we also celebrate all of the high gay holidays like the Academy Awards, which we honored this year with a movie trivia contest. Naturally, a senior group has to have a Gay Senior Bingo event; I think it’s a gay law somewhere. Our bingo happens on the 5th Wednesday on months that have five Wednesdays.  The next senior bingo event will take place Wednesday, May 25th.

Our Vintage Group outings match the variety and quality of the trips offered at traditional senior centers, but without that tugging feeling that you don’t belong. You belong with us. Our outings are always worry-free and as inexpensive as possible.

If you would like to go to the Academy of Sciences (April 4th), or the Fujitsu Planetarium (March 28th), or ride a private caboose on the Niles Canyon Railroad to experience the wildflowers with a bunch of like-minded gay seniors, join us!
For more information on the senior lunch program, taking a trip, or when you can hang out with us, please email Senior Services Coordinator Fred Salas at defrankvintage@gmail.com. If you would like to be added to our weekly senior eblast list, mention it in your email and you’ll begin receiving weekly updates on what’s going on in the Vintage Program at the center. The Vintage Group at the Billy De Frank Center is nourishing for the heart, fun and flirty, but it’s definitely not your granddaughter’s senior gay group.

Congratulations, Charlotte S.
May 2013 Volunteer of the Month

Charlotte on Volunteering at BDF:

I have been volunteering at the Billy DeFrank Center since August of 2012.

I originally came in for yoga, then found bingo, then discovered the volunteer opportunity- and they haven't been able to get rid of me since! I volunteer here because I wanted to continue working with the LGBT community after doing so on my college campus. I felt at home immediately at the BDF Center, and want to contribute to its growth.
My absolute favorite part of volunteering? First dibs on books!!! Oh, I meant the people I work with and the center's visitors. Really though, I enjoy interacting with the guests, and to work with such a talented, hilarious staff is a privilege!

- Visit our BDF Library and Charlotte, one of our expert librarians, will tell you what’s good to read!

Congratulations, Gina T.
April 2013 Volunteer of the Month

Gina has been a very dependable and helpful resource at our Front Desk for 2 years.

She writes, "like the opportunity to give back to the community. I choose to donate my time, which to me, is just as valuable as money. But I realize both are important, so I donate what I can. And, seeing that giving is just as rewarding as receiving, I do it for selfish reasons also. I have made many new acquaintances while volunteering at BDF, some of which may turn into long time friends. And each week brings in new people to talk to. It is just a rewarding experience and a chance to see many members of the LGBTQ community that I otherwise would never meet. My favorite part of volunteering at BDF is the satisfaction in taking a phone call where the caller has a problem, or having a person walk-in with a problem, and being able to help resolve those problems."

Congratulations, Richard W.
March 2013 Volunteer of the Month

I want to give back to the organization that has been a lifeline to me since I moved to San Jose from Los Angeles about 6 years ago. I moved to be close to family, but other than family I knew no one in the area. The Center has been a place for me to socialize and to make new friends.

My favorite part of volunteering at the Center is helping people (who call or walk in) find answers to information they are seeking. Sometimes this can be quite challenging, but it gives me a good feeling when I am able to provide the information they need. I also enjoy telling people who are new to the Center about our programs, and sometimes providing them with a tour of the Center.

Richard has been volunteering at the Center for 5 years. - Richard has been a very stabilizing figure at our Front Desk- volunteering 2 shifts a week, and covering shifts when needed.

Congratulations, Crystal H.
February 2013 Volunteer of the Month
On Volunteering at BDF

Even before I moved to California, the Billy DeFrank Center was a part of my life. On my first trip to San Jose I not only experienced my first Gay Pride Parade, but thanks to the prodding of a good friend who was the Youth Services Coordinator at the time, I rode on the DeFrank float! After I moved here, the Center became a place for me to come and hang out.

I attended the 20-Somethings groups pretty regularly for a while and it gave me an instant group of friends. When I needed help or support, someone at BDF was either able to provide it, or at least point me in a direction. With all that the Billy DeFrank Center has given me over the years, I am proud to be able to give back as I can, and hopefully make the Center a warm and inviting place for others to to enjoy.

My favorite part of volunteering at BDF is all the interesting people I get to meet, help, and interact with. People of all walks of life come through our doors, and sometimes they'll stick around for a bit and chat. Oh, and some of the other volunteers are OK people too ;)

• Crystal has been volunteering off and on since 2002, and regularly since October of 2010.Crystal currently volunteers at the Front Desk, as well as helping as an HIV Testing Counselor. Crystal also facilitates both the Trans Youth Discussion Group in the Youth Center, and the Trans Women Support Group.

 http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/gls/

Upcoming outings and events can be found below.