Source: news.com.au, ABC News (Australia)
Sydney -- For many people, growing old is a difficult process. But a forum in Sydney Monday night heard it is particularly hard for members of the gay and lesbian community.
The AIDS Council of New South Wales says older gays and lesbians are probably the most invisible and least cared for of all senior groups, suffering discrimination on many fronts.
Outspoken High Court judge Michael Kirby said at the forum that a major part of the problem can be traced to churches whose teachings continue to be a cause of hatred and prejudice against the gay community.
"A lot of the prejudice that still exists ... comes from religion ... handing out messages of hate," Justice Kirby said.
"Things written four or five thousand years ago are the cause of a lot of hatred out there. It has to change. I don't know how it will change but it has to change."
The comments came yesterday in Sydney as Justice Kirby addressed a light-hearted forum on ageing and ageism in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, calling on members to lobby against inequality and prejudice.
A panel including gay and lesbian activists, health specialists and a transsexual entertainer discussed the importance of community tolerance and understanding on LGBT aged care.
As a drag queen working the stages of Kings Cross in the 1960s, 'Carmen' was best known for her stilettos and elaborate costumes.
But now, approaching 80, she is accepting the ageing process.
After a recent hip replacement, she donated all of her high heels to charity and now wears what she calls "sensible shoes".
"I'm on my way to 80 years and I've had an up and down, bad and sad life, but I'm not going to be moaning and whining, because I'm still alive. I'm still here, just keep moving on," she said.
More than 200 people attended the forum, titled Ageing Disgracefully, which aimed to provide a greater understanding about health and wellbeing issues confronting older GLBT people.
Ghassan Kassisieh, from the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, says for the first time in Australian society, there is a huge generation of people that have been living out and openly about their sexuality.
"[They] may now be going into nursing homes, or into other aged care facilities, and realising that their sexuality hasn't been accommodated or understood when they come to those services," he said.
John, 58, is a member of a support group in Sydney called MAG, or Mature Age Gays, and says he would like to see more gay-friendly retirement homes and the removal of discriminatory measures in taxation and superannuation.
"The relationship has to have been going four years before it is recognised, whereas if I was heterosexual, I could get married and take the marriage certificate into the super fund and there'd be recognition and the benefits should anything happen to me, right away," he said.
Inequality is one of the greatest problems the GLBT community faces in its struggle for aged care provision and those affected must be vocal, Justice Kirby, 69, said.
"It's very important that we pay tribute to the people who have got off their bum and lobbied," he said.
"As I grow older disgracefully I hope I will never lose that fire of protest."
Justice Kirby said he lives in "a world which is overwhelmingly a straight world", and that most law reforms are made by heterosexual people, but that he is constantly making people "confront their demons".
A committed Christian, Justice Kirby urged the churches to be more accepting of same-sex couples.
"It may not necessarily be appropriately dealt with by law," he said.
"It may require changes within the churches themselves, and that's why people of spirituality have to reach out, who are gay, have to reach out to the churches and try to open a dialogue about this thing.
A committed Christian, Justice Kirby urged the churches to be more accepting of same-sex couples.
"It may not necessarily be appropriately dealt with by law," he said.
"It may require changes within the churches themselves, and that's why people of spirituality have to reach out, who are gay, have to reach out to the churches and try to open a dialogue about this thing."
Full article: Judge against anti-gay message | NEWS.com.au
Growing old disgracefully: calls for gay-friendly retirement homes | ABC News (Australia)