Description:
The 519 is committed to responding to the needs of all members of the local community. A study was undertaken in 2000 to assess the needs of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual (LGBT) people.

The study involved 150 individuals and organizations in the Toronto area. Activities included in-person and telephone interviews, brainstorming sessions and discussion groups. Persons consulted represented a cross section of interests, expertise, experience and knowledge. Many were in their fifties and older. Some were younger and were in agencies and organizations that either serve older LGBT people, or should be doing so.

The stories of and about older LGBT individuals, their lives, experiences and insights were important lessons in survival, dignity, pain, disappointment and celebration. Ignorance of services, failure to include older the LGBT population were often expressions of oversight, lack of visibility, lack of pressure for inclusion.

As a result of this study The 519 funded a position and launched a programme to discover and begin to meet the needs of older LGBT people.

Contact:
Dick Moore at 416-392-6878 x 118

senior@the519.org