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Age Concern Comes Out at Pride London to Support Elderly Gays
UK Gay News
July 4, 2005
Age Concern made a colourful appearance at this year's London Pride parade in an effort to highlight the needs of the often hidden population of older lesbians, gay men and bisexuals (LGB).
Encouraged by the success of the charity's involvement in previous Pride events, Age Concern England, Age Concern Enterprises and Local London Age Concern groups teamed up to submit a parade stopping entry into this year's procession.
The theme of the entry was Partnerships, to highlight the legalisation of same sex couples later on this year. A vintage car carrying two same sex "weddings" was the centrepiece of the entry, surrounded by over 20 volunteers. The float, which aimed to raise awareness of the support available to older LGB people, was flamboyantly decorated in the magenta and blue hues of the charity's logo.
"Involvement in public events such as this is important as it challenges misconceptions, removes taboos and demonstrates to older people that there are support networks out there," said Tony Page, Managing Director of the trading arm of Age Concern, who attended Saturday's event.
Commenting on the issues involved, he added, "The situation for most lesbian, gay and bisexual people at the beginning of the 21st century is more positive, secure and affirming than ever before. However, the majority of older people have lived a large part of their lives in less liberal times and their experience has made them understandably wary and cautious," he added, commenting on the issue of the older members of the LGB community.
However, the support network for the older LGB community is steadily growing. Age Concern Camden for example has recently began investing in and developing services for older gay men in the borough, while Age Concern Enfield is looking at developing a monthly drop-in for older gay men.
"Work is only just beginning" explains Page, "but in the future we hope to be able to develop significant support services and, more generally, to network with other groups across England in order to increase awareness and to provide much needed contact and support for the older lesbian, gay men and bisexual community. This would not be possible however if it was not for the income generated by insurance products like Travel, Motoring and Home & Contents and other Age Concern products such as Energy and Funeral Plans - all of which have always been available for same sex partners."
There are estimated to be around three million LGB people in the UK, around 33% of which are over 50. "Unfortunately older people are often treated as if they are all part of the same homogeneous group," explained Page. "Age Concern recognises the challenges facing the older LGB community and other hopes - through the participation in public awareness events like London Pride and local support initiatives - that these challenges can gradually be overcome," he added.
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