Ageing and diversity

A couple of years ago the Seniors in Focus @ your library seminar featured a panel discussion: Ageing issues for specific groups including CALD, Indigenous and GLBTIQ community members.

The presenters included Jan Aitken from Ten Forty Matrix. Jan posed some thought provoking questions and issues for all home library service providers to consider to ensure our services are inclusive of members of the Lesbian and Gay Community.

Issues for ageing gay community members:

1. Invisibility, being in the closet still, living in a setting such as a nursing home, hostel or retirement village where ‘coming out’ may be difficult.
   
2. Lack of information about and access to gay/lesbian resources.
3. Dealing with aged care staff whose attitudes are not known and may be negative.
   

Issues for libraries:

1. Collection policies: how does gay/lesbian literature make it into the library?
2. How does this extend to other media: CDs, videos, DVDs etc?
3. What about magazines: does your library have LOTL ( Lesbians on the Loose) and Sydney Star Observer?
4. Reading lists: Do you have a lesbian/gay reading list?
5. If the answer is no to all or most of these what is the reason for the lack?
6. Internet access: rapidly becoming important – can you assist clients’ access?
   

Sydney based resources:

• Feminist Bookshop
• The Bookshop
• The pink directory
• Older dykes