Interview Spotlight
Dana Samani
Coffee Klatch Co-Facilitator
“I am an old hippie, semi-monastic Buddhist, socialist
subversive, radical feminist, quiet peacenik, trans-woman. I am known as
being kind, dependable, honest, frugal, hard-working (not so much lately as I
age), courageous, and even wise.”
What
is your connection to Rainbow Elders?
I did an internship in 2013, working with
Nancy Grimes and Emily Lewis. Currently, I co-facilitate the Rainbow Elders
Coffee Klatch, and occasionally I volunteer to help set up a booth, or take
part in a speaking engagement or training.
Tell
us about yourself.
I was born in Philadelphia and spent my childhood in Northern Illinois, Southern California, and rural Kansas. I went
to school at the University of Kansas, where I majored in Counter Culture,
Altered States of Consciousness, and Contemporary Music, the University of
Colorado at Boulder, Front Range Community College, and Metropolitan State
University of Denver (finally, a degree, summa cum laude, 2014, age 59).
Professionally, I have been a farmworker, general laborer, construction worker,
janitor, landscape gardener, fork lift, backhoe, trencher, boom truck, bucket
truck, and farm tractor operator, a carpenter, painter, roofer, concrete worker,
a residential construction job superintendent, a field superintendent for
commercial wind farm projects, a Colorado licensed master electrician and
electrical contractor for 20 years, an assistant librarian, a Yoga teacher, and
a personal care provider. Now I am happy to be “retired,” living simply and
frugally on my modest Social Security income in my small Boulder County Senior
Housing apartment in Louisville.
What
do you like to do?
I like sitting outdoors, meditating, walking
in nature, reading, cooking and eating (especially Indian food), watching
videos, NIA dancing, soaking in the hot tub, browsing the thrift store, listening
to music, having quiet conversations with thoughtful people about important
things, and attending potlucks. I volunteer with Out Boulder County’s “Speaking
Out” program. I also co-facilitate a women’s meditation group once a week. I am
a newer member of the Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. There, I
have co-facilitated a series of workshops/presentations on death and dying, I also
take part in a Non-Violent Communication practice group and an LGBT covenant
group. I am a member of a construction management oversight team for the Fellowship’s
new building project, and have just begun a year-long lay-minister sort of
program. I gave my first “sermon” during a special service focused on the LGBT
community a few weeks ago. I have something on my calendar most days which
requires me to get up and get dressed, but I leave plenty of time for
human-being, as opposed to human-doing. I enjoy the blessing of leisure time.
Who
is important to you?
I am learning to value myself, after a
lifetime of taking care of everyone else. I was married 32 years. No partner
now. I have one son, 35 years old. No pets. I have a few close friends, and a
few more casual friends. I nurture these relationships, while still seeking new
fulfilling relationships.
What
advice do you have for younger LGBTQ folks?
Don’t postpone happiness. Be your
authentic self now. Regularly re-examine what authentic self means. It
changes. Become aware of the history of the LGBT movement and of older LGBTQ
folks. It will help you to appreciate how much things have gotten better, and
to understand and have compassion for the fears and biases of those who have
come before you.
This
interview spotlight is the first of a new series highlighting members of our
Rainbow Elders’ community. If you are interested in interviewing for the
spotlight, please email Michael Chifalo and he will provide you with the
questions to answer via email. Submissions should be around 500 words to be
considered. Although our staff will
review your story and edit if necessary, you will have an opportunity to
approve before publication.
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