even larry brinken could not penetrate this problem when i went to him because of the subtlety of it. that fear that i suffered for 30 years has carried over, preventing me from contributing more to the community here in san francisco. it brings to mind that sank, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. and so when you discriminate against people, you prevent them from flourishing and helping out the community as it would like to. thank you. -- helping out the community as they would like to. thank you. >> good afternoon. i would like to start by saying congratulations, christina. all right. i am with planning for elders and senior action network. i would like to say three things. i think it is -- thank you for having this hearing and calling attention to the lgbt seniors. something i would like to a knowledge in -- and honor is the level of things that lgbt seniors have had to live through and overcome and struggle with. i talked to seniors and they said back in the 1950's and this is no surprise to anyone here, i could not go on a date with my boyfriend. we had to meet at a restaurant