LGBTI OVER 50S EXPO FOR THE SUNSHINE COAST
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The Sunshine Coast will host its first Over 50s Expo specifically addressing the needs of LGBTI seniors. The Expo provides the perfect opportunity for aged care organisations and community groups to come together to build a better understanding of the needs of LGBTI elders.
“For too long, many of our older people have not felt safe or comfortable using aged care and community services,” said Helen Daintree, Ageing in Diversity Health Promotion Officer. “This free event will address some of those concerns in a friendly atmosphere of celebration.”
The event is an initiative of the Queensland AIDS Council’s (QuAC) Healthy Communities Programs through Ageing in Diversity Project. The Expo will include a number of stalls staffed by by aged care service providers and community groups.
“Visibility as LGBTI seniors, and celebrating the age we are will be the central premise for the event, and paramount in every aspect of the day’s activities.”
Daintree told GNN the Expo takes a holistic approach to age and health care, providing food for the spirit as well as the mind and body.
As well as workshops and salons, the expo will deliver a range of entertainment.
Diddley Squat, finalists in ABC TVs Exhumed series and self described ‘bunch of middle-aged friends who got together to have fun and make some noise’, will entertain, as well as the multi-talented Steven Oliver, most recently seen in ABC TV’s Black Comedy.
Workshops and demonstrations, competitions, games, talks, free health checks for hearing, blood pressure and balance, and even Delta therapy dogs to pat or cuddle will mean an engaging day.
QuAC’s Seniors’ Community Visiting Service will hold a ‘salon’, a popular spot for people to catch up with old friends. Previous ‘salons’ have reunited old friends who had not seen each other for 20 or more years.
The Amazing Ageing Race provides a fun way to explore LGBTI history and the chance to win a fabulous weekend for two at the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island, donated by the Resort and Integrated Living Australia.
Several workshops will be on offer, including an in-depth workshop on Advanced Health Directives for LGBTI people.
“Given the history of criminalisation and discrimination, and the fears these have caused amongst our elders, it is vitally important for us to have a clear Advanced Health Directive. The Expo provides the perfect opportunity to begin the process with expert guidance and help,” said Gai Lemon, Director of Healthy Communities Programs.
The expo will also feature a special screening of the documentary Gen Silent, exploring ageing issues for gay men, lesbians and transgender people in the USA. This will be accompanied by its Australian counterpart, Then and Now followed by a forum and discussion with elders, young people, and service providers.
The Expo runs on Thursday March 19th, at the Lake Kawana Community Centre from 2pm -7pm, with plenty of food and drink available at the venue during the day.
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Nice one
I thought a couple of links might be handy for anyone in the area: