Senior members of the LGBTIQ+ community will take center stage in Sydney later this month, sharing stories of life and love as part of an event for NSW Seniors Festival.
Held Saturday, February 9 in Petersham, LOVE Stories invites LGBTIQ+ seniors and their friends to come together in celebration of their unique personal stories, with a range of activities on offer including short-story, song and poetry writing, life drawing and musical performances. Those in attendance will be given the opportunity to share their stories throughout the day.
Presented by ACON, the event forms part of the the health organisation's healthy ageing initiative, the LOVE Project (Living Older Visibly Engaged), which was formed in 2013.
In a statement, acting ACON CEO Karen Price said the event presents a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the diversity, strength and resilience of rainbow seniors through creative story telling.
Participating seniors will have the opportunity to explore their creativity and share stories. Source: ACON
“NSW has a significant older LGBTI population. In fact, over 100,000 people in NSW over the age of 55 identify as LGBTI and they play a vital and valued role in our community,” Price said.
“But a lifetime of discrimination and victimisation can impact heavily on mental health which, along with issues related to social exclusion, loneliness and financial concerns, are all issues that can impact on older LGBTI people’s quality of life.
She continued: “Events such as LOVE Stories allows mature members of our communities to come together in a welcoming, safe and supportive environment, where they can share amazing stories and help reduce the social isolation that many others may experience."
LOVE Stories will be hosted by broadcaster Julie McCrossin AO and will feature artist Guy James Whitworth, writer Ellen van Neerven and musician Jeremy Brennan. LOVE Stories is supported by the NSW Seniors Festival and the Aurora Group.
LOVE Stories is on Saturday 9 February at Petersham Town Hall, running from 9:30am to 4pm. Organisers ask that attendees bring along an item that reflects love for them. To register or for any enquiries, visit www.acon.org.au/lovestories or contact Russ Gluyas on rgluyas@acon.org.au or 9206 2017.
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