Aging with Pride: LGBTQIA+ Voices on Aging & Recovery

Aging with Pride will center the lives and experiences of our LGBTQIA+ seniors. Their stories of hope, perseverance and triumph over adversity across the decades—from the early queer liberation movements through AIDS and the Covid-19 pandemic to today—is nothing short of inspiring.

This event will be recorded for inclusion in the documentary premiering in 2025. This is a ticketed event with proceeds from ticket sales going to benefit Manny’s and their mission. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Visit to learn more about the event, our hosts and panelists, and the organizations behind this event.

J (he/him) is the award-winning writer, director and producer, and the creative force behind the upcoming feature-length documentary Meet Me at the Club, an LGBTQIA+ historical documentary about the Castro Country Club.

In addition to his documentary work, J has written and directed a number of award-winning short films, including the acclaimed Here For Now which tells the story of a young woman who confronts her drug-addicted best friend for the path of destruction he leaves in his wake. For J, telling stories that resonate and have an impact are what drive him to create truly independent cinema.

J, who identifies as a gay—and whose own story of recovery and resilience is captured in the film—has been sober since 2019. He’s a member of AA and other 12-step fellowships.

Beyond filmmaking and recovery, J is known for his cooking prowess, and he opens his home to fellows for his annual Christmas Day celebration so that no one goes without love, a gift, and a full belly on Christmas.

Learn more at

Follow J on Instagram at

Liz (she/her, a resident of San Francisco, is an accomplished, multi-faceted designer. Her 50+ years of experience includes fiber arts, weaving and jewelry design, graphic and web design, logo and marketing design, visual merchandising, interior design, kitchen and bath design.

An actively involved member of the LGBTQIA+ and AA/Recovery communities, with 31+ years of sobriety, she is the Chair of the 2024 Western Roundup Living Sober conference, an annual event supporting individual sobriety and maintaining unity, connecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or LGBTQIA+ members within the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon since 1976.

Visit to learn more about the event and meet the panelists and participants.

6:30 pm — Welcome & Introductions

6:50 pm — Meet Me at the Club Sneak Peek

7:00 pm — Panel Discussion on aging in the LGBTQIA+ community

7:45 pm — Question & Answer Session

8:15 pm — Event Conclusion

Is this event only for seniors or people in recovery?

No! This event is open to ALL. We hope that by fostering a discussion around topics of aging in the LGBTQIA+ community—and aging in recovery—we can learn from the wisdom and experience of our elders for the benefit of all.

Where do the proceeds of ticket sales go?

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit Manny’s to offset the cost of the event and to support their mission. Manny’s never turns someone away due to lack of funds. If you need a complimentary ticket, please email the title of the event and the word “grapefruit” to [email protected].

About Manny’s

Manny’s is a town hall, a village square, the place where anyone can meet and engage with civic leaders, elected officials, artists, activists, change-makers, and each other. Our hope is that what happens here will be the spark for you to get more involved.

About Meet Me at the Club

Meet Me at the Club: The Castro Country Club Story is a feature-length LGBTQIA+ historical documentary about one of the nation’s oldest sober community centers as told through the stories of the folks whose lives were saved, from award-winning writer/director/producer J. Andrew.

About Liberty Lane Films

Liberty Lane Films is a San Francisco-based film production company on a mission to craft thought-provoking narrative and documentary films through the power of impactful visual storytelling.

About the Castro Country Club

The Castro Country Club is a safe and sober community center for all people and a refuge for the LGBTQIA+ recovery community. The CCC provides a range of programs and services that help people change their lives by supporting personal growth.

Host or Publisher Manny's