For many people, a good book is an opportunity to escape, learn something new, or see the world from another perspective. At West Suburban Senior Center in Bellwood, books are also helping older adults build community.
For the past year, Frank has the led the LGBT+ FindingBook Club at West Suburban, bringing together older adults to explore literature, history, and the personal connections that emerge from a shared story. A lifelong reader with a passion for learning, Frank brings his extensive reading and knowledge of LGBT+ history to each discussion.
We recently sat down with Frank to learn more about his background, his interest in LGBT+ literature and history, and what makes the book club such a meaningful part of his experience at West Suburban.
Frank has always been an avid reader with a passion for learning. After retiring he began teaching through the Continuing Education Department at the College of DuPage, where he had the opportunity to teach a course on LGBT+ topics: “LGBTQ: Past & Present”
“I have a big library at home,” he said. “I felt confident I could do it, so they let me.”
The course became the College of DuPage’s first focused on LGBT+ history, bringing together Frank’s lifelong interest in reading with his passion for exploring and sharing the stories that have shaped LGBT+ history.
After discovering West Suburban Senior Center, Frank quickly became involved and saw an opportunity to share his love of books with others. Starting an LGBT+ Book Club felt like a natural way to bring people together through stories and conversations.
West Suburban Senior Center is part of Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS), a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization serving older adults and their families throughout Chicagoland. At West Suburban, older adults can participate in weekday activities, meals, exercise classes and educational programs. The center also offers LGBT+ programming that creates opportunities for LGBT+ older adults and allies to connect and build community.
For Frank, the book club is another way to create those connections.
When choosing books, Frank often draws from authors and subjects he already knows well. His selections have included writers such as Oscar Wilde and James Baldwin. Participants are also encouraged to suggest books of their own.
For Frank, however, the discussion is just as important as the book itself. He often shares background about the author and the historical context surrounding a work. Understanding an author’s experiences, he believes, can help readers understand their writing in a deeper way.
“I think biography is important because every writer writes from their own experience in their own way,” he explained.
Through novels, poetry, essays, and memoirs, readers can encounter the experiences of LGBT+ people across generations. Literature can preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten while giving readers opportunities to recognize themselves in the experiences of others.
That connection is particularly meaningful for older LGBT+ adults, many of whom came of age during a time when being open about their identities could be difficult.
“Earlier on, it was hard to be out and open. You had to be hidden.”
Today, programs like the LGBT+ Book Club offer a welcoming space where older adults can gather, share experiences, and build relationships. The group provides an opportunity not only to discuss literature, but also to connect with others who may share similar experiences and perspectives.
For Frank, the most rewarding part of the book club is seeing participants make personal connections with what they read.
“The true value is that each person tries to relate something to their own lives and themselves,” he said. “That’s the beauty of writing. It’s how the reader relates to the author and their writing.”
A book may bring back a memory, introduce a new perspective, or lead someone to share an experience they hadn’t previously discussed. Those moments turn the book club into more than a literary discussion. They create opportunities for participants to learn from one another and discover common ground.
Leading the group has brought Frank a great deal of personal satisfaction. The group also uses a hybrid format, allowing participants to join either in person or through Zoom. For Frank, that flexibility is important.
“We’re dealing with older people, and not everyone has the physical capabilities to come in person,” he explained.
The virtual option allows more people to remain part of the conversation, whether they are unable to travel to the center or simply prefer participating from home.
Frank’s own reading list continues to evolve. Right now, he is focused on Emily Dickinson as he prepares for his next course.
Although Frank’s teaching began after retirement, his curiosity and love of learning have remained constant throughout his life. Whether he’s preparing for a course, exploring the work of a classic author, or leading a conversation at West Suburban, he continues to find new reasons to read, learn, and share what he discovers.
At West Suburban Senior Center, the LGBT+ Book Club offers more than a chance to discuss literature. It creates a space for older adults to share stories, explore history, learn from one another, and find connection through the simple experience of reading a good book together.
Check out the next book West Suburban Senior Center’s LGBT+ Book Club is reading and how to join!
Learn more about West Suburban Senior Center.