THREE-SCORE YEARS AND 10

In the Psalm 90, Chapter 10, we are given the average life expectancy for humans then and now: “The days of our years are three-score years and 10, or even by reason of strength fourscore years; Yet is their pride but travail and vanity; For it is speedily gone, and we fly away.” What the Bible calls “three-score years and 10” we now know as 70 years of age; and for a long time, our ancestors strove to reach that age. Today, the life expectancy in the USA is 79 years for women and 73 years for men, a bit of a decline due to COVID-19. Still, American who are white, affluent and without preexisting conditions can expect to reach “fourscore years” before they meet their demise.

I write all this because, within a few days (G*d willing), I will be “three-score years and 10.” When I was younger, I never thought that I would reach that age. It was the height of the AIDS epidemic and, as I witnessed too many of my friends pass on to the Great Beyond, I thought that I would soon share their fate. Instead, to quote the late Elaine Stritch, “I’m still here.” Not only do I seem likely to reach the big 70, I might be able to celebrate it in reasonably good health, as a productive member of my community. For all this I am grateful.

The LGBT community is largely youth oriented, and until recently it did not give much space to its older members. Now, of course, things have changed; and communities like Palm Springs, Provincetown and Wilton Manors provide supportive havens to their queer seniors so we can live out our golden years. I benefit from all that, just as I benefit from the example of those who came before me, some of who lived beyond their fourscore years. One of those role models is David Leddick, a gay Renaissance man who lived an active and productive life until the day he died.

ALMOST 50 YEARS AGO, ON JUNE 6, 1973, I BECAME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, THE FIRST ONE IN MY FAMILY TO DO SO.

Twenty twenty-three is a special year for me. Almost 50 years ago, on June 6, 1973, I became an American citizen, the first one in my family to do so. And 50 years ago, after much thought, I came out as a gay man and an active member of the LGBT community. I don’t know what fate has in store for me, as I prepare to enter my eighth decade. But I will try to continue to do the best I can, so I can leave this planet a better place than it was when I arrived. For all this I thank all who give meaning to my life, especially my boyfriend, “Toto” Ron Farago, who deserves his own “Journal” article. You will soon learn more about him, and me, if “I’m still here.”

Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and journalist. He has been an active member of South Florida's LGBT community for more than four decades and has served in various community organizations.