LGBTI seniors urged to talk
Older Australians, their families and carers have been asked to join in a conversation on ageing with Mental Health & Ageing Minister Mark Butler at a series of locations around Australians.
Gerontologist and GLBTI ageing expert Dr Jo Harrison, who attended the first consultation in Adelaide last Friday along with Adelaide gay historian and activist, Ian Purcell AM, said the minister’s response to a question from Ian demonstrated that he is very keen to hear from GLBTI people, particularly older people, around aged care issues.
“The Minister has indicated that he has taken seriously the issues raised in the submissions to the Productivity Commission report and this is our chance to speak directly to him about any concerns our elders have,” Dr Harrison said.
“It is a good opportunity to emphasise the impact of social isolation, the fear of returning to the closet, and the need for a national strategic plan on GLBTI aged care.”
LOCATIONS
Sydney
Monday 29 August 2011
10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street Sydney
Port Macquarie
Monday 29 August 2011
4.00 pm – 6.00pm
Rydges, 1 Hay Street Port Macquarie
Newcastle
Tuesday 30 August 2011
11.00 am – 1.00 pm
The Sebel, 5 King Street Newcastle
Gosford
Tuesday 30 August 2011
5.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Gosford Golf & Function Centre, Racecourse Road Gosford
Ballina
Wednesday 31 August 2011
1.30 pm – 3.30 pm
Ballina RSL Club, 240 River Street Ballina
RSVP
Phone: 1 800 182 324
Email RSVP Sydney: [email protected]
Email RSVP Port: [email protected]
Email RSVP Newcastle: [email protected]
Email RSVP Gosford: [email protected]
Email RSVP Ballina: [email protected]
So angry the way aged pensioners and Carers are treated. Am very tempted to run for the seat of Ashgrove, in my electorate at the next election. Throw in a Gay marriage platform to boot. Wouldn’t the media just love it? They would be overjoyed, and wouldn’t be the least interested in those boring straight candidates.
My Carers allowance (a pittance) goes straight into my sick clients hospital and medical fund. I don’t get a cent of it, after all the hard work that I do.
We had to take out private health insurance for my client as we were treated with disrespect and suffered humiliation at the hands of Queensland mental Health staff.
I wouldn’t let my client or myself near those mental health thugs at Fortitude Valley clinic or the brutal, homophobic staff at the RBWH hospital
There is much hurt and sobs in my duties, and we feel resentful that heterosexual couples get maternity leave on full pay.
Our taxes must be equally shared in our wealthy nation.
I hope that euthanasia becomes legal, as we wouldn’t wish to end up in a religious run, aged home and have to pretend to be heterosexuals.
Pity that the Sydney event is scheduled when those us incredibly lucky to even have jobs have no hope of attending. Was this intentional?