Pat Nelson is a retired Dean of Education. She served as a professor and dean at several universities, including the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Penn State, and the University of Akron. She is a Christa McAuliffe National Fellow for Education and an Anne Lister diary decoder. Patty Book is a retired academic administrator who has served as vice president of continuing education and distance education at several universities, including the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Penn State, Kent...

Scott Hier Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Scott lives in Camillus, a charming suburb outside the city. He comes with a rich worker-compensation background, where he honed his negotiation skills over a commendable 23-year career at an insurance company, specializing in high-dollar claims for a decade. During the challenging times of COVID-19 in 2020, Scott pivoted towards a new passion—real estate. After completing his licensing in September 2021, he transitioned from his corporate...

Waldron McGinnis is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He lived in China for six years and earned his PhD from the University of South Carolina, researching high education reforms in China.  Waldron spent twenty-five years in the Pacific Northwest of the US. He developed a master's degree and doctorate in leadership at a university. He traveled the world doing partnership work with global non-profit leaders. For the past thirteen years, he has lived in downtown Tacoma as part of an...

Summary Climate change is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a retirement destination, especially for the LGBTQ community seeking both safety and inclusivity. In this engaging episode of "Where Do Gays Retire?" host Mark Goldstein explores various U.S. cities that stand out for their proactive approaches to climate change mitigation. From the eco-conscious vibes of Portland, Oregon, to the wind-powered ambitions of Chicago, Illinois, each city is committed to sustainability while...

Summary/Intro The podcast episode delves into the experiences of LGBTQ retirees living in Malaga and Valencia, Spain, highlighting the allure of these Spanish cities for those seeking a vibrant and inclusive retirement destination. Host Mark Goldstein engages with guests Steve Aronberg from Malaga and Dave Piccolo and Jesus Bartoli from Valencia, who share insights about the climate, cost of living, healthcare, and the welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ individuals. Both cities boast a high...

Steven recently retired from teaching high school math and enjoys having no responsibilities besides his family and hobbies. He has renewed his hobbies of quilting, cooking, and racquetball. He is currently ranked #3 in his age division in Washington State. Steven moved to Seattle after graduating from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, in 1989 and met his husband in 1990. They have been together for thirty-four years. They have two adopted sons and await grandchildren, although none...

In this solo episode of Where Do Gays Retire, Mark Goldstein compares Sitges and Torremolinos, Spain, two of the most popular retirement destinations for the LGBTQ+ community. Mark covers critical aspects such as climate, cost of living, healthcare, LGBTQ+ community, transportation, walkability, arts and culture, dining, and safety. Stay tuned until the end as Mark reveals which destination is top for LGBTQ+ retirees. #LGBTQRetirement #SitgesSpain #TorremolinosSpain #WhereDoGaysRetire...

This conversation compares Torremolinos and Sitges in Spain. Torremolinos is in the Andalusian region, while Sitges is in Catalonia. Both places have a similar climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The cost of living is relatively high in both areas, especially for housing. Healthcare is accessible in both places, with private health insurance being standard. However, the public healthcare system in Catalonia does not cover PrEP for HIV prevention. Overall, Torremolinos and Sitges...

Brent grew up in the college town of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is the son of a teacher/school administrator (dad) and a successful real estate broker (mom).  On a family trip to NYC when Brent was in grade school, he saw Ethel Merman in Hello, Dolly! This sparked a love of theater and eventually a move to Manhattan to pursue a career in musical theater. Brent has performed off-Broadway, in regional theaters across the US, and on cruise ships worldwide for over ten years. In the late 1990s,...

Mark DeLancey, a man of many accomplishments, is the Executive Director of the Salisbury, Maryland, PFLAG chapter. At 61, he is a retired Marine, a prominent LGBTQ leader, a Triplet, a world record holder, an Artist, a Horror Film buff, a Theatre enthusiast, a part-time gardener, and a recovering Gen X/Boomer cusp baby. Mark's unique perspective on life and his commitment to the LGBTQ community has landed him in Salisbury, MD, where he has retired to settle down with his fiancée Eric and his...

Summary Athens, Greece is a vibrant city with a rich history and modern amenities. It offers a mix of ancient ruins, world-class museums, delicious food, and lively nightlife. The city is known for its welcoming LGBTQ+ community, with a gayborhood in the Ghazi neighborhood and a variety of gay-friendly establishments. Both expats and locals find it relatively easy to make friends, especially through activities and social events. While speaking Greek is not necessary to live in Athens, it can...

Mykle Flatley and his spouse Doug moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Oloron Sainte-Marie, France in 2021. They chose Oloron Saint-Marie because of its climate, affordability, and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Spain. Michael, who is a dual Irish and American citizen, obtained Irish citizenship 20 years ago, which made moving to France easier. The biggest challenge for them has been the language, but they have found the French to be kind and helpful. Oloron Saint-Marie does not have a large...

Summary Nancy Schneider, a Philadelphia retiree shares her experience of retiring in the city. Philadelphia is located on the East Coast of Pennsylvania, with easy access to New York City, Washington DC, and the Jersey coast. The city has a temperate climate and offers a variety of quick getaways, including New York, the Jersey Shore, and nearby gay towns like New Hope and Rehoboth. Philadelphia has a vibrant LGBTQ neighborhood known as the Gayborhood, but being gay is accepted throughout the...

Renato is a Bolivian entrepreneur who currently resides in Madrid. He has a passion for languages and has found a way to make money from it. In addition to being multilingual, he also has a fondness for the arts, particularly pottery and music. He played in the orchestra of his city in Bolivia and Spain for approximately 5 years. Renato was born in Japan, then moved to Bolivia where he studied until he was 16 years old. He finished his high school education in Logroño, Spain, and in 2022 he...

Frontiers of Equality in the Development of EU and US Citizenship Author: Dr Jeremy B. Bierbach Jeremy Bierbach (1975) is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, Jeremy worked as an IT specialist for several years. In 2001, Jeremy emigrated to the Netherlands. In 2003, he changed his career direction. He studied law at the University of Amsterdam, earning a bachelor’s degree in...

Eric is French, born and raised in Paris where he lived and worked as a business journalist until Michael and he left for Malta. Michael is American by birth (born in Hollywood, Florida) and became French while living in Paris. An HR Executive for 2 very large conglomerates, Michael has moved around a lot for his companies and traveled the world.  He and Eric decided that life was too short to pass up a move to somewhere warm, and sunny yet still close to Eric's family in Paris. They decided...

pamm meyers pamm meyers is, storyteller, dynamic leader and advocate dedicated to fostering prosperity within the LGBTQIA community through business innovation and social advocacy. With a multifaceted background, pamm has become a trailblazer in various fields, leaving an indelible mark on New Mexico’s LGBTQIA and business communities.  As CEO of Go Social, pamm meyers Social Media. https://www.pammmeyerssocialmedia.com/ pamm is at the forefront of digital marketing and podcasting solutions...

Rick retired on Dec 31 2023 with 35 years and 21 Emmy Awards under his belt as a producer, writer, and director.  He began his work as a public service when he was elected as Dane County WI County Board Supervisor for which he will aim for reelection on 4/2/24.  He is an advocate for the disenfranchised serving as a CASA volunteer in 3 states, as co-chair of Pride In Prevention, focused on harm reduction within the queer PWUD community, and as a fierce feminist. He also writes regularly for...

Dwayne was born/raised in the northern Utah area (Ogden, north of SLC) and also spent time in southern California (Oxnard) He was educated in Utah through high school, and went to Weber State University, majoring in Architecture, but discontinued his education.  Raised in the area's predominant religion (Latter Day Saints, Mormon) Served a church mission to So. Korea. Has since left organized religion. They have been in a relationship since 1987, They were legally married in Oakland CA, when...

"Meet Kurt Becker, a seasoned public health professional with a rich journey of dedication and impact. Originally from Ithaca, NY, Kurt earned dual degrees in broadcasting and developmental psychology from Tompkins Cortland Community College. After moving to Las Cruces, New Mexico, he finished courses at New Mexico State University and graduated from SUNY Cortland in 1994 with a bachelor of science in psychology. Kurt's commitment to community health began in Las Cruces, where he served as a...

Kevin grew up in the Detroit area. He attended college at Wayne State University and acquired his  Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He started working with McDonald’s Restaurants as a franchisee in 1988 as an hourly crew person and worked his up to Director of Operations and Managing Partner.  He has a great life partner and best friend, and they have been together for 22 years. In 2005, they purchased a second home in the Saugatuck/Douglas area which they loved...

Marc Goldberg  Dog Trainer and author Marc  Goldberg had his first paying client while still in junior high school and printed his first business card in 1975 at the age of 17.  Marc first competed in an American Kennel Club obedience ring at age 12 with his first dog, a Sheltie named Gus.  They won High in Trial, beating out nearly 100 dogs and they won a Dog World Magazine Award that same year. Marc became the youngest voting member of the Philadelphia Dog Training Club. He trained dogs for...

Dr. Michael Stracener is currently a Visiting Professor in social welfare policy at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He has 40-plus years’ experience as a clinical social worker and doctor of public health, retiring to Las Cruces in 2021 from Federal service with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Stracener is married to Larry King, a clinical social worker who also retired from Federal service with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  Due to the...

Jim Hansen He was born in Pensacola, Florida in 1965 and raised in a military family. By the time he graduated from high school in 1983 in Newport News, Virginia, he had attended 9 different elementary and secondary schools. He can legitimately say he has lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., New York, Germany and now Maryland. Until he moved to the Washington metro area in 1989, he had never lived in one town/city for...