Empowering LGBTI Elders & promoting healthy LGBTI Ageing | alicesgarage.net
A very special congratulations to Edie Mayhew and Anne Tudor who won the “Outstanding achievement by a volunteer: supporting diversity award” at the 2016 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards this week. Edie and Anne have generously shared their experiences of living with dementia, to educate others – they are pictured below (left to right: Victorian Minister for Health Jill Hennessy MP, Anne Tudor, Edie Mayhew and Parliamentary Secretary for Volunteers & Carers, Gabrielle Williams MP.
On 24 May 2016, the Victorian Government will make a formal State apology in Parliament to those convicted under unjust and prejudiced laws against homosexual acts prior to decriminalisation in 1981. The apology will be made to those who were directly affected by the laws and to Victoria’s LGBTI communities.
This follows the introduction of an expungement scheme in September 2015 after changes to the Sentencing Act 1991. These changes recognised that homosexual sex between consenting adults should never have been a crime.
The Apology is open to members of the public. If you would like to attend, please email equality@dpc.vic.gov.au. You will also be able view the live stream of the Apology on the day from the Parliament website – http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/
We would like to acknowledge Crystal Johnson, sister girl and educator from Tiwi Island. This gorgeous photo is part of a story by SBS and you can click here to read the story and watch a video made by SBS.
We also pay tribute to Jack Charles. In 2015 Jack was named the Victorian Senior of the year. That same year Jack was refused a taxi – because he is an indigenous man. Earlier this year he was refused a taxi again. We have a long way to go before we are an age-friendly and respectful society.
We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land. Particularly our aboriginal LGBTI elders. We would particularly like to pay tribute to Noel Tovey AM who has given so much of himself to change attitudes, policies and the law. We salute you Noel
Alice’s Garage is a national project empowering LGBTI elders and promoting healthy LGBTI ageing in Australia. The project pays homage to Ms Alice Anderson (pictured), who set up a Motor Service in 1920s Melbourne. Miss Anderson’s Motor Service had all female employees and empowered women with information and opportunities to learn more about driving and using a motor vehicle (read more here). Drawing on Alice’s principles of empowerment and opportunity, Alice’s Garage includes a blog for LGBTI elders and a number of projects focusing on LGBTI Ageing and Elders. If you have suggestions for the blog please contact us by clicking here.
