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Desmond Ford to lead the LGBTIQ movement for older South Australians

Media Release 23rd April 2017

Desmond Ford has been appointed Manager of the LGBTIQ People Ageing Well Project - a joint 12-month initiative by COTA SA and the SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA) designed to kick start a consumer-led LGBTIQ movement for older South Australians.

The project aims to engage and empower members of the older LGBTIQ communities throughout the state by giving them a voice and encouraging them to help inform and shape policy and actions that may impact them as they age.

Among the project's priorities are to:

  • Enable the voice of older LGBTIQ people in the proposed marriage equality plebiscite;
  • Raise awareness of the needs of older LGBTIQ people in SA including in rural areas and CALD communities and propose strategies to meet these needs;
  • Provide an ongoing forum for the participation of older LGBTIQ people to ensure advocacy for the needs of LGBTIQ people in all policy and service delivery relating to older people;
  • Connect to the diversity of older people who are part of LGBTIQ communities throughout SA;
  • Establish priorities for advocacy and policy development
  • Create an LGBTIQ focus in areas of government priority across portfolio areas eg SA Law Reform Institute 2015 Audit Paper recommendations, awareness and strategies to prevent elder abuse, promote advanced care directives etc;
  • Develop opportunities for older LGBTIQ people to participate in the Festivals of SA including the establishment of an older stream as part of the Feast Festival and creating an LGBTIQ focus in ZestFest (former Every Generation Festival); and
  • Remember and celebrate the contributions of the LGBTIQ community to the history of SA including through the gay rights movement.

COTA SA Chief Executive Jane Mussared says she's delighted to welcome someone of Desmond's standing and commitment to social justice, equality and inclusion.

"Apart from his lifelong advocacy work, Desmond has an outstanding track record managing projects and services that enable and empower people, and is a skilled communicator and trainer," Jane said.

"As COTA SA embraces the diversity of our modern ageing, we look forward to standing alongside SARAA and Desmond as we learn and act on the things that matter most to the older LGBTIQ community in SA."

Desmond believes the timing is right to bring some much needed visibility to older people in the LGBTIQ communities.

"Those now in their 60s, 70s and 80s grew up at a time where homosexuality was deemed a criminal act and so many kept it under wraps, with many experiencing isolation and discrimination which in some instances led to mental health issues as a result," Desmond said.

"There were no conversations or dialogue, no acceptance and certainly no support like there is today. But despite how far we've come, there's still a way to go, particularly for older LGBTIQ communities.

"Being a gay man who is about to enter his 60s, I feel I have a personal and professional commitment to this important subject which is why I jumped at the chance to get involved."

Desmond says the project will give older people from around the state an opportunity to be part of a positive and forward thinking conversation about shaping their lives; to understand and connect with their community; and to determine the things that are important to them, including their hopes and aspirations.

SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance Chair Andrew Birtwistle-Smith says current structures for the support and engagement of older people do not reflect the diversity of modern South Australia.

"This project will ensure that there is a strong LGBTIQ voice in all policy and service development for older people in SA, including through the advocacy and representation of COTA SA and SARAA," Andrew said.

This project has received support from the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) through the provision of a one-off grant.

About COTA SA

COTA SA is an older people's movement run by, for and with older people. COTA SA represents the aspirations, interests and rights of 590,000 older South Australians, with 17,000 individual members and 250 organisation members. In 2017 COTA SA turns 60.

About SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA)

Formerly the Gay and Lesbian Health Alliance of SA, SARAA was formed in 2013 by a group of concerned community members to advocate for the health and welfare concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people and for positive change to related policy issues affecting the ability of LGBTIQ people to live happy and fulfilled lives in the wider community.

Media contact and interview requests: Paula Brinkworth - pbrinkworth@communikate.net.au | 0414 805 153

Download a copy of the media release

COTA SA and SARAA logos

 

COTA SA acknowledges the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains as the traditional custodians of the land our headquarters occupy. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal nations throughout South Australia. We honour Aboriginal peoples’ continuing connection to Country and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people.