Grief and loss are universal experiences but for older LGBTQ+ people, they often come with added layers; of invisibility, of complex family structures, of having lived through decades of stigma, and of watching chosen families slowly fade without recognition or ritual.

This episode of Older Queer Voices is a space to explore how grief shows up in our lives and our communities not just through bereavement, but also through isolation, displacement, and the loss of cultural memory. We are joined by Simon Blake, CEO, Stonewall, and Rachel Bret, CEO, Sussex Beacon, to reflect on personal and professional experiences of grief, dying, loss, and to discuss the early vision for a new LGBTQ+ inclusive hospice being developed in Brighton.

Simon Blake: Chief Executive - LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall. Simon is also a Non-Executive Director of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Simon believes we would benefit from a more open culture about death, dying and bereavement.

Rachel Brett: CEO - Sussex Beacon - the first LGBTQ+ Hospice, Brighton

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In this episode of Older Queer Voices, we turn our attention to Section 28, a piece of UK legislation that shaped the lives of LGBTQ+ people for over 15 years. Enacted by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1988, Section 28 banned local authorities and schools from “promoting homosexuality,” a vague and chilling mandate that stifled support, erased representation, and instilled a culture of fear.

Though it was repealed in 2003, its impact still reverberates through the memories, traumas, and silences of a generation.

We are joined by two guests with deep knowledge and lived experience from this time:

Professor Emeritus Sanders – Co-founder of Schools OUT UK and LGBT+ History Month
John Vincent – A leading voice in libraries, equality, and inclusion

Together, we unpack the lasting legacy of Section 28, its effects on schools, libraries, educators, families, and LGBTQ+ youth—and ask what it means in today’s climate. With rising hostility toward trans people and controversial moves by institutions like the EHRC, are we seeing echoes of Section 28 again?
Watch, reflect, and share, these stories matter.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to help amplify older queer voices.

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South Asian Queer Voices

Older Queer Voices | Breaking Taboos in South Asian Homes: Mental Health, Care & Queer Futures

In many South Asian households, we are taught to stay silent about the things that hurt us most; mental health, domestic and elder abuse in our homes and even the idea of putting our aging parents in care homes. These conversations are often buried under the weight of “log kya kahenge?” (What will people say?), even when silence comes at the cost of safety, wellbeing, and dignity.

In this episode, we break that silence.

We explore what it means to confront these taboos as older queer South Asians, and ask: How do we build futures where we can age with care, connection, and pride?

We speak about:

· The stigma around mental health in our communities

· Hidden cycles of domestic and elder abuse

· The trauma of conversion practices

· Guilt and shame around formal care for elders

· And how we can future-proof our own lives as queer elders

Our guests bring wisdom and lived experience to this vital conversation:

🌟 Rita Hirani – Social entrepreneur and co-founder of Club Kali. A long-time changemaker, Rita’s “gay jobs” include rescuing charities and serving as a strategic adviser and former CEO of MindOut.

🌟 Saba Ali – Safety and MET Liaison Manager for UK Black Pride. A passionate advocate and community leader, Saba was recently named Role Model of the Year at the Diva Awards.

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This conversation is a truly special one. It’s about love, family, identity, and the realities of growing older as queer people.

I am joined by Dr. Jack López, a gay trans man, proud birth parent of four children from his first relationship and his current partner, Dr Iain Armstrong, a gay cis man.

Together, they bring us a deeply personal and insightful conversation on the complexities of family, identity, and love.

They also bring an important perspective on what it means to age as a couple within our community, to navigate love later in life, and to think ahead practically, about healthcare, care homes, legal protections, and how we make sure we are seen, respected, and cared for as we get older.

This conversation isn’t just about being trans or gay, it’s about being human, about how we create family, how we love, and how we make space for the fullness of who we are as we age.

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Episode 2: Legal matters - Planning for Queer Elders,

We dived into something that might not seem exciting but is absolutely vital:

The law. For queer people, especially as we age, legal planning is not just about paperwork. It is about protecting our identities, our relationships, and our chosen families.

We spoke with legal expert, Kirsty Limacher about everything from writing a will to setting up powers of attorney, planning for care, and making sure your wishes are respected especially when your life doesn’t fit into a traditional mould. Kirsty is a non-practising solicitor and has worked with The Association of Lifetime Lawyers as a Legal Consultant since 2023.

Kirsty is highly experienced in dealing with older and vulnerable clients, specialising in wills, advance decisions, the administration of estates, creation of Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Court of Protection deputy applications throughout her career in private practice.

She is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and is the Vice-Chair of The Law Society’s LGBTQ+ Solicitors Network Committee.

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Our launch episode, 'Act Your Age,' brings together three powerful voices, Jan Gooding, DJ Ritu and Jonathan Phang who share honest reflections on ageing in the public eye.

From industry biases and the relentless hustle, to love, sex and the truth that desire doesn't disappear with age this episode is raw, real and vital.

They also speak about those in the LGBTQ+ community who still can’t come out, reminding us why visibility and these conversations matter more than ever.
This podcast highlights that age is truly just a number.

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"I thought that after marriage everything will be all right, that with a wife, I will have children and become "normal" and then I will be at peace. I was struggling and striving to be "normal."

I never knew and nobody told me that I was gay and [that] this itself is normal and it will not change.

That this is what is called homosexuality and it is not a disease. I tremendously regret for ruining her life. (ex-wife) I feel guilty, but I simply did not know better.

In this Episode Raga D'silva talks with Manvendra Singh Gohil, Prince of Rajpipla,


Coming Out Stories from India.Series 1: Episode 2


A Views Room Presentation

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'Coming out' stories from India -

Raga D'silva talks with Debolina Dey about her journey of coming out in Siliguri, West Bengal, India. They talk about being gay in small-town India and her process of self-exploration and discovery Do you know that there is a huge amount of strategising and censorship Debolina has to follow even today, in her day to day life. Does she feel free within? What does freedom mean? Does she believe that the page is turning? Let's find out....watch this very interesting video and share it around. A must watch!

Coming Out Stories From India Series 1 Episode 1

A Views Room Presentation

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