How we can support the older LGBTI community

Alma Berry, 85, lives in Uniting aged care and is a proud supporter of gay liberation. She even marched with Uniting at the Mardi Gras this year.

Ms Berry’s niece came out as a lesbian decades ago. Despite growing up a time when homosexuality was considered a sin or a mental illness, Ms Berry couldn’t see what the big deal was.

“I didn’t mind at all. She was still the same person,” Ms Berry says. “When I was a teenager nothing was said about homosexuality at all. We didn’t know what gay was – it just wasn’t mentioned – but I think it’s very arrogant to judge someone else. I live my life and I don’t expect people to judge me, so I don’t judge them.”

Jill Reich of Uniting says, “We’re proud to have residents like Alma who are outspoken in their support of LGBTI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex] communities.”

“Some people in LGBTI communities are suspicious of faith-based organisations because religion has a long history of ignorance and discrimination when it comes to LGBTI people,” says Ms Reich. “But at Uniting we are doing all we can to change that, and to make sure people know that we welcome everyone.”

Click here to learn more about the many services Uniting offers the LGBTI community.

Ms Reich says this compassionate approach is particularly important because Uniting is the largest non-profit provider of aged care services in NSW.

“LGBTI people moving into aged care are of a generation that has lived through horrific discrimination. We want to reasurre them that if they come to Uniting they will be welcome, safe, and embraced for exactly who they are,” says Ms Reich.

In the past few years, Uniting has trained 6,500 staff so they understand the special and sometime unspoken needs of ageing LGBTI people.

In 2015 Uniting became the first faith-based aged care provider to receive the Rainbow Tick accreditation, which recognises safe and inclusive service delivery for LGBTI people. In 2016 Uniting won a Australian Workplace Equality Index award as one of Australia’s top 10 LGBTI employers.

“The awards we have won recognise that we don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk,” says Ms Reich.

At Uniting the commitment tobeing an inclusive organisation that celebrates diversity is carried through at every level for their staff and clients. Click here to learn more, or simply call 1800 864 846 for a friendly chat about the services available.