Meet Your Neighbor: Dinyar Master

"I’ve lived in Jackson Heights for the past 21 years, and I’m very glad to have the Queens Center for Gay Seniors just a 10-minute walk from my home.

I first learned about the Center from a pamphlet I picked up at the Pride Parade. After I retired, I had more time during the day, so I thought, 'Let me try it.' And I loved it.

When I was working, I looked forward to the weekends—to go to Manhattan, see movies and do whatever. Now it’s the other way around. I look forward to Mondays, because Monday to Friday, the Center is open. Saturday and Sunday are just chores and all that.

I come here almost every day. There’s something for everybody: chair yoga, tai chi, Zumba, presentations, movies, and bingo. I never miss a day unless I have an appointment.

But it’s more than the activities. What I really appreciate is the community. There are straight people, gay people, bisexual people, and transgender people, and everybody gets along. We have to educate each other. People come from different backgrounds and beliefs, but we learn from each other.

And I’ve changed, too. Since being here, I’ve become more open. I can talk freely. I have a hobby of collecting quotations and sayings, and I’ve had the chance to share them at talent presentations. Everybody loved it.

I also look forward to Pride every year. We are fortunate to have the rights and acceptance that we have today, because people fought for them decades ago. We have to remember that history and continue fighting for those rights.

For me, the Center is a place to be myself, connect with others, and keep growing.

And most importantly, it gives me a reason to look forward to Monday."

—Dinyar Master