AMAZING LIVES!

The 519 and the Senior Pride Network is offering a full day conference, Opening the Closet on Aging: Amazing Lives! It will be held on Wednesday, April 9th at the Metro Central YMCA at 20 Grosvenor Street from 8:30 am to 4.30 pm. Registration cost is $75 for service providers and free for LGBTTQ seniors

Focusing on the special issues of older LGBTTQ people and their needs in the areas of long-term care, health, home care, recreation, mental health and rehabilitation. The conference will provide a unique opportunity for service providers and LGBTTQ community members to learn, gain skills and share ideas.

Why do we need to open the closet on aging? Service providers often tell us that they "don't have any lesbian, gay, or bisexual clients or residents" or that "LGBTTQ people only live in downtown Toronto." But the reality is that LGBTTQ people make up 5-10% of the population according to various estimates. Many of LGBTTQ elders who have actively worked to promote significant changes in human rights and social attitudes are now in the closet again, living in the community and receiving services, and in care homes, afraid to “come out.”

How can we be sure they receive culturally competent care? Are these environments welcoming for them and their partners, families and friends? How can we honour their true selves and also provide safe and respectful services for them?

The conference will have workshops, panels and presentations appealing to both seniors and service providers. The keynote speaker will be Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of Egale Canada. With the assistance of Nancy Nicol’s short films Pride and Resistance, Helen will talk about the history of gay rights in Canada. Other panels include older LGBTTQ people living amazing lives that shatter stereotypes; preparing for various stages of aging, navigating the system and advocating in it; issues related to LGBTTQ seniors using the rehab system, depression and mental health, how the City of Toronto Homes for the Aged is working to make long term care gay friendly; short films about gay related subjects; a resource table featuring services for seniors and a Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives exhibit on gay history in Toronto.

Registration Information
Spaces are limited. For further information contact Jack Cunningham, Conference Coordinator at The 519 Church Street Community Centre, 519 Church Street Toronto, ON M5S 2M4, 416 392 6878 ext 306 or seniors2@the519.org

Registration Form: [PDF] [DOC]

Event Schedule:
Panel Descriptions

Committed to Diversity, Dedicated to Community
519 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2C9 416-392-6874 www.the519.org info@the519.org
An Agency of the City of Toronto A United Way Member Agency