This is about how we feel about ourselves
Our self-perception drives how others see us.
Our Story
We are older adults. We are the future.
In this decade the number of older adults will skyrocket as the Boomer generation reaches age 65. But that’s not the whole story. On their heels will come Gen X, then Millennials, and Gen Z, and so on and so on.
For the next 30 years,
10,000+ people will turn 65.
Every. Single. Day.
That demographic shift is one reason why age discrimination is being fought, thankfully, across many fronts. This work to point out ageist behavior is important. Our increasing numbers means eventually we’ll succeed and end ageism.
But sometimes anti-ageism efforts come across as combative, argumentative, and even confrontational. We accuse “those ageist people” of denigrating “us older adults.” “They” are the problem “we” say needs correcting.
There’s another approach that can also change perceptions and attitudes. One that focuses less on them and more on us.
Let’s embrace who we are, what we’re capable of, and together, let’s celebrate being older. Let’s outwardly share our positive attitude and mindset — by announcing that we’re Openly Gray — which will open eyes, minds, and hearts to the value of being older.
This is about how we feel about ourselves. Look, being older is not a burden, or a problem that needs to be solved. Being older is gift we should share.
Let’s celebrate this gift of longer lives, and when we do, others will, too.
We’re just getting started…
Launched in June of 2021, we’re just getting started. Come back soon to learn more about our plans to create a new membership organization for older adults. One that isn’t out to sell you health insurance (wink, wink).
The goal is for the members of this organization to determine where and how older adults should get engaged and make a difference for all ages. Right now, we’re taking names and asking you to join the effort.
#openlygray #beopenlygray
Who’s idea is this?
The (mostly) gray-haired people behind this are not the usual suspects in the “aging” sector. First, they aren’t fans of the term “aging” when it’s used to describe older adults. We’re pretty sure everyone ages the minute they take their first breath right up until their last. Let’s just use “growing older.”
The generic term “openly gray” has been around and is used by women who have stopped coloring their hair and gone naturally gray. We applaud them. But we also think the term can mean more than hair color and formed a nonprofit corporation, Openly Gray Incorporated, to start this movement.
Matt Thornhill
The nonprofit idea came from Matt Thornhill, long-time marketing consultant, founder of the Boomer Project think tank, and CEO of Cozy Home Community, a new type of senior housing for middle income older adults.
The organizing board of directors are:
Gretchen Addi — Innovation and Design Consultant
Jill Vitale-Aussem — President & CEO, Christian Living Communities, author of Disrupting the Status Quo of Senior Living: a Mindshift
Ravi Bala — Chief Growth Officer, Agetech
Elizabeth Franklin — Retired Chaplain, Westminster Canterbury, community organizer
Matt Thornhill — Founder & CEO, Cozy Home Community, author of Boomer Consumer
Alice Wheelwright — Marketing and communications executive
A Tip of the Hat:
Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery
Obviously, the idea of being “Openly Gray” is derived from “Openly Gay.” And why not?
That approach of “coming out of the closet” did more to change society’s views of gay people than any previous effort. It took brave individuals to publicly proclaim who they were in order for others to accept them. That’s what is needed here.
Of course, this effort in no way requires the same courage exhibited by the LGBTQ+ community. Except, today, older adults are often diminished, dismissed, ridiculed, mocked, and stigmatized for no reason except their age. It’s the last “-ism” that goes mostly unchallenged.
Women’s Lib, Gay Pride, Black Lives Matter, and other social justice rallying cries have been effective in generating change.
We thank and appreciate those who have shown us the way.
The Stonewall Inn, site of the June 1969 Stonewall riots, the cradle of the modern LGBT rights movement.
Photo: Rhododendrites,, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons