	GAPA 35-Plus
GAPA, an organization for gay & bisexual Asian/Pacific Islander men

GAPA 35 Plus Dinner Meetings July-December 2007 Calendar

Did you just turn 35 … are you new to the San Francisco Bay Area .. are you just visiting … or just never been to a "GAPA 35 Plus" gathering? First-time attendees are especially welcome! If you are a gay or bisexual Asian Pacific Islander (API) man, at least 35 years of age, "GAPA 35 Plus" is for you! "GAPA 35 Plus" is all about you! "GAPA 35 Plus" is your voice.

GAPA 35 Plus is social and conversational group only for gay/bi API guys who are at least 35 years of age. It is a safe space for this group of guys to chat, socialize and learn from each other's experiences. It meets for dinner (usually potluck) once a month (usually the 2nd Sunday), followed by a facilitated discussion of various topics such as relationships, dating, family, being gay/Asian/older, mature men's health issues, retirement planning, coming out later in life, sexual issues, etc. Our conversations are informal. We encourage attendees to participate at their own pace, in whatever way makes them comfortable. Attendance is free and confidentiality is observed. There are usually from 10 to 20 participants.

We meet mostly in San Francisco and the East Bay at the homes of participants. The home setting contributes to a relaxed and casual environment. Even for non-RSVP meetings, attendance confirmation is appreciated. You do not have to be a member of GAPA to attend, but you have to be a gay or bisexual API man, and at least 35 years of age. You can volunteer to be a meeting facilitator or be a host by letting your home be a meeting venue. Let us know what month(s) (2^nd Sunday) you are available to facilitate or host in the period January-June 2008. Also, you can recommend to us a future conversation topic of your choice. Contact .

RAP DISCUSSION GENERAL GUIDELINES: (1) What is discussed in the rap discussion room stays in the room; (2) Everyone’s opinion or experience will be respected; (3) Every attendee may choose only to listen and not to speak; (4) Nothing in the discussion is meant to replace professional advice that is specific to an individual; (5) Rap discussions are for sharing of experiences, information or opinion, and are not therapy sessions; (6) Some discussions may at times include material suitable only for mature audiences.

We thank all the current and previous co-coordinators, hosts, co-facilitators and participants through the years who have made GAPA 35 Plus what it is today!

GAPA 35 Plus: July-December 2006 Calendar

Topic: "Coping With Depression"

Date and Time: 8 July 2007, 6:00PM
Co-Facilitators: Leo Joslin and Don Crisostomo
Location: 434 39th St, City of Richmond, CA (East Bay)

Open only to gay/bi Asian Pacific Islander (API) men at least 35 years of age (including first-time attendees & Bay Area visitors who are gay/bi API men, 35+). Note: NOT a potluck; buffet dinner will be provided but please bring drinks/dessert. Attendees must RSVP by 4 July to . "Statistics show that 15% of the population is likely to experience at least one period of depression severe enough to require medical intervention. Although all of us have periods of sadness or low points in our lives, we usually are able to continue with the routines of daily life. However, as shown above, severe depression affects this ability to cope with daily life. In this rap session, we will examine the causes, symptoms, effects and treatment of depression along with the role friends and family can assume in dealing with this. One of the facilitators is a licensed psychologist and will offer general advice to both patients and caretakers. Info: .

Topic: "Life’s Greatest, Most Memorable &/or Most Exciting Moments"

Date and Time: 12 August 2007, 6:00PM
Facilitator: TBA
Location: 29950 Larrabee Street, Hayward, CA

Open only to gay/bi Asian Pacific Islander (API) men at least 35 years of age (including first-time attendees & Bay Area visitors who are gay/bi API men, 35+). Please bring a dish to share (POTLUCK). "Everyone has his moments of greatness and/or excitement in life. These salient incidents of life are very impressionable & thus, are indelibly etched in our memory and, in turn, become valuable learning experiences. Whether they are positive or negative, they change us and, hopefully, make us better individuals. Participants at this meetings can give us examples of how one or certain experiences changed their lives and, at the same time, explain to the group how to utilize these moments to enhance our spiritual, physical, emotional and mental development. " Info: .

Topic: "Spirituality – Our Inner Worlds"

Date and Time: 9 September 2007, 6:00PM
Facilitator: Dion Wong
Location: 1519 9^th Avenue, San Francisco, CA (Sunset District)

Open only to gay/bi Asian Pacific Islander (API) men at least 35 years of age (including first-time attendees & Bay Area visitors who are gay/bi API men, 35+). Please bring a dish to share (POTLUCK). "What happens after the death of our physical body? Is there such a thing as ‘Soul’? Does some form of our consciousness continue after death? Where were we before birth? Does the world we live in have a moral component apart from humanly imposed justice? Is there something called ‘karma’? These questions have puzzled some people for millennia although others seem to have little doubt. In this meeting, we will seek various opinions regarding these concepts apart from religious tenets as much as possible. Nearly everyone has arrived at some conclusions about these mysteries of life or, at the very least, has given thought to them. Hear what others have to say and contribute your own opinions or knowledge. The facilitator is an ordained cleric." Info: .

Topic: "Grab Bag (Anything You Would Like to Talk About?)"

Date and Time: 14 October 2007, 6:00PM
Facilitator: Henry Chau
Location: 4836 Gordon Street, Oakland, CA

Open only to gay/bi Asian Pacific Islander (API) men at least 35 years of age (including first-time attendees & Bay Area visitors who are gay/bi API men, 35+). Please bring a dish to share (POTLUCK). "Do you have any topic(s) or questions(s) that we have not discussed? Here’s your chance to ask them or comment on them. In this meeting bring your queries and/or ideas about any issues related to gay APIs. Someone present will probably be able to answer or offer suggestions. " Info: .

Topic: "Aging and Health Issues"

Date and Time: 11 November 2007, 6:00PM
Facilitator: TBA
Location: 952 Powell Street #15-16, San Francisco CA

Open only to gay/bi Asian Pacific Islander (API) men at least 35 years of age (including first-time attendees & Bay Area visitors who are gay/bi API men, 35+). Note: NOT a potluck; buffet dinner will be provided but please bring drinks/dessert. Attendees must RSVP by November 8 to . "As we grow older, sometimes health related problems and issues develop. The time to think about these is not when they arise but beforehand so we know what to do if and when it is necessary. What kinds of health related issues should we think about? What are their cause(s) and can they be prevented? What will we do when they appear? What about financial plans to handle the expenses? What can we do to live a healthy lifestyle? What will we do if we can no longer take care of ourselves? What are the alternatives? As we can see, there are myriads of questions to think about and we hope to review as many of these as possible in this meeting." Info: .

Topic: "Culinary Treats in the Bay Area"

Date and Time: 9 December 2007, 6:00PM
Facilitator: Joe Ancheta
Location: 2470 24th Avenue, San Francisco, CA (Sunset District)

Open only to gay/bi Asian Pacific Islander (API) men at least 35 years of age (including first-time attendees & Bay Area visitors who are gay/bi API men, 35+). Please bring a dish to share (POTLUCK). "The Bay Area is one of the Mecca’s of food in the world. Every Bay Area resident has his/her favorite dining places. In this meeting we will share our favorite restaurants and dishes verbally, anyway. Perhaps some of us will discover some small, family-run restaurants that few know about or obscure dishes in ethnic restaurants. We will also delve into some of the best dining bargains in the Bay Area, so bring your considerable knowledge of dining out to this meeting and share it with your fellow culinary experts which include all local residents." Info: .