Stories of life and love from rainbow seniors across NSW will be celebrated at a free LGBTI community event at Petersham Town Hall on Saturday 9 February as part of the 2019 NSW Seniors Festival.
LOVE Stories invites LGBTI seniors and their friends to come together and share their unique personal stories. The day will feature a range of activities including short-story, song and poetry writing, life drawing and musical performances. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore their creative talents and share their stories throughout the day.
LOVE Stories is presented by ACON, and is produced by its healthy ageing initiative, the LOVE Project (Living Older Visibly Engaged). Formed in 2013, the LOVE Project aims to create better conversations and improve social engagement with older members of LGBTI communities.
Acting ACON CEO Karen Price said LOVE Stories is a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the diversity, strength and resilience of rainbow seniors through creative storytelling. “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,” said Price.
“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.”
“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. Organisers ask that attendees bring along an item that reflects love for them. LOVE Stories is supported by the NSW Seniors Festival and the Aurora Group.
“We’re delighted as always to have the support of our partners, which allows us to put on events where we can celebrate the contributions of LGBTI seniors,” said Price. “Events like LOVE Stories provide the perfect opportunity to connect, relax and enjoy the community.”
“We thank the NSW Seniors Festival and the Aurora Group for continuing to support the older LGBTI community. We look forward to working more closely with a range of government and community organisations to help provide more opportunities for older LGBTI people in NSW.”
LOVE Stories
Petersham Town Hall, 107 Crystal St, Petersham
Event: Saturday 9 February 2019 (9.30am to 4.00pm)
Free Entry
For more information, visit: www.acon.org.au for details.
Image: LOVE Stories – courtesy of ACON