COTA SA’s Rainbow Hub – Helping celebrate and connect older LGBTI+ people
COTA SA’s (Council on the Ageing SA) Rainbow Hub works to ensure the needs of South Australia’s estimated 77,000+ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex plus (LGBTI+) people aged 50+ are met. We celebrate the lives and contributions of older LGBTI+ people who have lived through times when they experienced discrimination, stigma, criminalisation, rejection from family and social isolation.
We work with professionals and others to promote our activities and refer people who may benefit from more connection.
The effects of discrimination multiply with age meaning older LGBTI+ people are more likely to:
- be single and childless, relying on family of choice and peers for support
- be living alone (seven times)
- have experienced more poverty, unemployment, insecure work
- hide their sexuality or gender with providers when accessing services (more than 1/3)
- have a fear of institutions
- feel invisible.
Fostering connections
The Rainbow Hub fosters opportunities for people to stay connected with their communities through social programs and regular communication. This helps address the impact of isolation and mental health issues many older LGBTI+ people face, particularly for those with few biological family connections. To this end, the Rainbow Hub facilitates finding a friend for older LGBTI+ people who want to expand their social networks with face to face or phone contact by matching them with volunteer visitors from the LGBTI+ community.
We also help people navigate ageing well, including My Aged Care through targeted information and hosting a monthly Rainbow Hub lunch and other events. As one lunch attendee said, “You just walk in here and you know you’re at home, you don’t have to explain yourself.”
Diversity and inclusion training
Our Silver Rainbow Training and Consulting Team provides subsidised tailored aged care awareness training and organisational development services by qualified trainers with lived LGBTI+ experience. This is in line with Australian Aged Care Quality Standards and the principles of diversity and inclusion.
We also host the SA Silver Rainbow Community of Practice for staff in aged care, for the regular exchange of ideas and innovation for improved practices, services and advocacy for older LGBTI+ people.
Keeping in touch
The Rainbow Hub has a dedicated newsletter [available by post too], which keeps community members and allies informed of social activities, services, advocacy and support. We encourage service providers to share the newsletter with residents in aged care and other contact points. Subscribe here.
Contact us for copies of our Rainbow Hub postcard; brochure and or poster about COTA’s visitor program and Silver Rainbow flyer.
Website: www.cotasa.org.au/rainbowhub
Email: cotasa@cotasa.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rainbowhubsa
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