The purpose of our organization is to provide mature gay and bisexual men, and their special friends, with opportunities to come together in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy social, educational, and recreational activities.
Prime Timers are older gay or bisexual men. Our members are men who choose to have their social lives enriched by the diverse activities in which our members engage. No single definition can describe Prime Timers, as they come from all walks of life. Prime Timers involve themselves in their community with volunteerism, politics, gay issues, arts, entertainment, and every other facet of healthy living. Prime Timers are fathers and care givers. They are businessmen and entrepeneurs. They are workers and they are retired. Some are always on the go, and some enjoy the quiet company of others at home. But one thing is true of all Prime Timers: they enjoy the opportunities and friendships that develop with other Prime Timers throughout the world.
Prime Timers was founded in 1987 by a retired professor, Woody Baldwin. He felt a wide gap existed in today's society which caters almost exclusively to youth. This worship of eternal youth is never more flagrant than in the gay culture. Woody began the Boston Chapter by placing ads in local newspapers and soliciting his many friends. He expected only a small handful of men to attend the first meeting and was surprised when over 40 showed up. This indicated to Woody a need for social and cultural organizations to aid and support the aging gay and bisexual man. Now this organization has grown to over forty chapters worldwide, located throughout North America, Europe and Australia..
Travel opportunities for members are vast. Individual chapters welcome the chance to meet visitors from other chapters. Letters asking for local information and recommendations will be well received and acted upon. Chapters enjoy showing off their communities and having visitors come away with a feeling of kinship and brotherhood with their new-found friends.
The Prime Timers Convention is held to discuss business and attend workshops geared toward Prime Timers. Our Conventions have been in Vancouver, BC, Dallas, TX, Palm Springs, CA and most recently Washington, DC. Our 2001 convention will be held in Denver, CO. And each year during Mardi Gras in New Orleans hundreds of Prime Timers gather to celebrate life, freedom and each other. We now reserve an entire hotel just for Prime Timers.