The protesters from the 1969 Stonewall Riots, the start of the modern world gay rights movement, who were in their 20’s and 30’s back then are now entering their golden years. However, they’re still at the vanguard of gay lifestyles. The cutting edge now is gay retirement villages, aged-care facilities and as role models for our senior phase of life.

One day, all of us will be seniors. So… what is the state of social activities for gay seniors? After all, they were having a blast during the 1960’s “Summer of Love” and the 70’s “Disco Era”. Are they playing bingo and shuffleboard with all their friends from the bars?

I researched Gay retirement villages hoping to discover their fun. There are no Gay retirement villages to date operating in Australia and I can find only one gay owned and operated retirement residence in the United States, Rainbow Vista (located outside Portland, Oregon in America’s Northwest). I spoke with Henry Moshberger who runs Rainbow Vista, as I wondered, how could a country with over 300 million people only have one gay retirement village?  What about Los Angeles? New York City?

Henry said as far as he knows, he’s running the only one in USA. “A few had been speculated, but due to the real estate bust, they've all failed. Most older gays end up living in single rooms and isolated. They’re reluctant to accept that they’re getting older and hold off as long as they can and by the time they’re about to make ‘the move’, they’re ready to stop driving and cooking for themselves. This is supposed to be the golden part of their life, however their circle of friends goes down. If they’re a couple, retirement villages split them up and they’re fearful of both the care-givers and fellow retirees, so some go back into the closet.” “Our clientele’s mind has been shaped by the great repression that existed prior to Stonewall’s ‘Great Coming Out’. They want to be around their own kind for support.”

Well, here in Australia we ARE acting on the needs of our aging gay baby boomers. Addressing splitting up couples, a spokesperson for the Attorney-General Nicola Roxon MP said, “The Consolidation of Anti-Discrimination laws will fulfill Labor’s election commitment to introduce sexual orientation and gender identity as a ground of discrimination, heralding a significant and overdue reform in this area.”

While Minister for Ageing, Mark Butler is addressing training caregivers as to the special needs of gays. Butler explained that: “The Gillard Government is developing a National LGBTI Aged Care Strategy. LGBTI Sensitivity training for aged-care workers is being implemented.”  Minister Butler is aware of the diverse needs of our aged gay community, that some people over 75 years of age aren’t comfortable with their sexuality, as they didn’t live a life ‘being out’ earlier in life, as well as some others aren’t openly gay. They’re working through these special issues.  Minister Butler said, “and there is a broad community consensus that it is important to recognise people who are LGBTI in the same way as we recognise the needs of other diverse groups such as people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. “In April, I announced $2.5 million to support staff training that is sensitive to the specific needs of these older Australians,” The LGBTI strategy will be designed to ensure that all aged-care facilities across-the-board will offer full-inclusion for gays, there isn’t a need for a gay only facilities.

Locally at the new LGBT seniors visiting program launch during the Seniors Week expo, QAHC Executive Director Paul R Martin spoke of LGBT seniors’ life journey, “So much of our aged care system in Australia assumes and depends on children looking after their parents and grand parents in older age. For most LGBT people this is not going to be the case, so community services, friends, partners and support networks become even more important”  

Henry of Rainbow Vista, said, “he was shocked, that a lot of gay people have kids siphoning their money away due to the current economy”. 

So, gay parents can’t even rely on their kids looking after them. Well, our community services, friends, partners have set up a support network, the new LGBT seniors visiting program.

Ann Matson is the Project Officer of our LGBT seniors visiting program, she said, “They’ve made a lot of progress.  The volunteer training is underway.  The program is open to clients who are alone and isolated, as many have lost their social networks.  Volunteer visitors are matched to spend time with clients with common interests to have a cuppa while watching a DVD or other social activities like common hobbies, movies or even going to a pub on a Friday afternoon. Perhaps in future, the referrals can even have a party with each other.”

At Rainbow Vista in Oregon, everyone does his or her own thing.  The clientele is between 58 and 83 years of age. They have sing-alongs with a piano player, go on cruises, watch TV and spend a lot of time on the Internet. Saturday and Sundays are spent at brunches.

In Brisbane, we have our MAM (Mature Aged Men) group.  It’s a purely social group and is open to anyone from 18 to 90 years of age, however their core group is between 35 and 70 years of age.  Geoff Davison, the president of the group said, “The gay scene is geared to 18 to 40 year olds. We’re getting older and our group provides an outlet to share our lives. We have social get togethers. We go to movies, have picnics, dinners and functions at member’s houses. If anyone needs anything, a lift, we help each other out.” The group meets the last Saturday of the month at Sporties around 3:30pm for a 4:30pm start, followed by dinner.  Davison said they also have 2 major functions, one at Christmas where some members try their hand at drag and another event in July.  If you’re interested, come along or call Geoff 0428 995 278.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the LGBT Seniors Community Visiting Service is encouraged to email, Ann at amatson@qahc.org.au