Members of the LGBTQI community face unique, often invisible challenges when it comes to ageing and dying. They are also creating new and joyful ways to celebrate and honour each other’s lives. One man is holding their hands through it all. Anthony and Nadine chat with LGBTQI advocate Russ Gluyas about death and dying in the Queer community.
Delivered in 2021, the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was a damning indictment of an industry rife with systemic issues. Since then, the Federal Government has sought to implement many of the report’s 148 recommendations for reform, but it’s a slow process..
For many people, entering aged care is a frightening prospect, with certain groups more vulnerable to mistreatment than others.
Members of the LGBTQI community may fear homophobia and discrimination from staff and other residents, especially in faith-based facilities. Some even hide their sexual identity, which is like going “back into the closet”, says Russ Gluyas, the Program Coordinator of The Love Project, an ACON initiative supporting queer ageing and terminally ill people in NSW.
It becomes like a retraumatisation and is often spoken about as going back into the closet.Russ Gluyas
In this episode, Gluyas joins Anthony and Nadine to discuss all things end-of-life in his community. From dementia to palliative care, deadnaming to voluntary assisted dying, he details the lingering obstacles in accessing genuinely inclusive, dignity-forward services in this space.
The epidemic of loneliness that's increasing for everyone, but it can be exponential for our communities.Russ Gluyas
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. The three also talk bucket lists fulfilled, living wakes bursting with joy, and serving looks at sassy funerals.
Grave Matters is an SBS Audio podcast about death, dying, and the people helping us do both better. Find it in your podcast app, such as the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or LiSTNR.
Links
Credits
Hosts: Anthony Levin and Nadine J. Cohen
Producer: Jeremy Wilmot
Writers: Anthony Levin and Nadine J. Cohen
Art and design: Karina Aslikyan
SBS team: Joel Supple, Max Gosford, Bernadette Phương Nam Nguyễn, and Philip Soliman
Guest: Russ Gluyas
HelplinesIf you'd like to speak to someone, you can reach a counsellor at Beyond Blue at any time, day or night, by calling 1300 22 4636 or visiting www.beyondblue.org.au. Also, Lifeline offers 24/7 crisis support on 13 11 14, and Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In an emergency call 000.
