GRAI - GLBTI Rights in Ageing Inc.

GRAI is calling on the Cook Government to apologise and bring forward long-promised laws banning all forms of conversion and suppression practices. “This was state-sponsored abuse,” said David Gibson, Chair of GRAI. “The Cook Government must own this history — apology without legislation means nothing. Every day of delay leaves people unprotected.” The Medical Journal of Australia paper and an ABC 7.30 investigation detail how, in the 1970s, children were detained at Stubbs Terrace Psychiatric Hospital in Perth and forced to conform to gender stereotypes through invasive and humiliating practices. One survivor, Jayne, recalled: “They observed whether I stood to pee — all to force me into being ‘male’.” The 1987 paper describing these practices was authored by a senior WA Government psychiatrist and remains cited today by opponents of gender-affirming care. In 2022, following the Esther Foundation inquiry, the WA Government pledged to outlaw conversion practices — but three years later, no legislation has been introduced. WA is now the only mainland state without legal protections. “This research shows the real cost of delay,” Gibson said. “Decades of trauma were caused by state-funded programs, and survivors deserve justice, redress, and a clear commitment that this will never happen again.” GRAI is calling for a public apology, a comprehensive ban on conversion practices, and a civil redress scheme to support survivors. #LGBTI #ConversionPractices Parliament of Western Australia https://lnkd.in/gDVfJ-dm

Milestones matter. They honour the past and set the direction for the future. At Golden GRAITime, as Connections marked 50 years and GRAI celebrated 20, I was struck by the resilience and joy of older LGBTI people. A 76-year-old told me he had brought his body donor card “𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧.” That spirit captures the strength of a generation who have carried our community forward. For leaders, policymakers and organisations, the message is clear. Older people are not passive recipients of care. They are active custodians of culture, history and belonging. Our role is to ensure spaces exist where ageing is not sidelined but celebrated, with dignity, visibility, and joy.

🌈 Join GRAI – Board Secretary (Paid Role) For 20 years, GRAI has proudly stood beside older LGBTI people, ensuring their voices are heard, their stories valued, and their lives lived with dignity and connection. We’re looking for a Board Secretary to join our small but passionate team and help keep our governance strong. It’s a flexible, part-time role (approx. 10 hrs/month), paid under the SCHADS Award plus 12% super, with salary sacrifice available. At GRAI, community is at the heart of everything we do. As one of only 4 WA LGBTQIA+ organisations funded by the Government to deliver services, we take pride in being peer-led and community-driven. We warmly encourage applications from across the LGBTQIA+ community and Allies, especially older (50+) LGBTI people, First Nations people, people with disability, and trans and gender diverse people. 📝 Apply now via SEEK: https://lnkd.in/gQWUTTRy #PerthJobs #LGBTQIA

Gender Affirming Care Isn’t Just for the Young. It’s Lifesaving at Every Age. New research from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute's Dr. Anja Ravine and A/Prof Ken Pang challenges claims that gender clinics are being "overrun" by trans boys. The data tells a different story, grounded in evidence rather than panic. But what’s often overlooked is the experience of older trans and gender diverse people. Many came out later in life after decades of silence. They face significant barriers in accessing respectful, gender affirming care, including systemic ageism and a lack of informed clinicians. The impact is real: increased mental distress, delayed treatment, and persistent invisibility. Gender affirming care is not a phase, and it is not age limited. It is a critical part of delivering person centred, inclusive healthcare for all. #LGBTIQ #InclusiveHealthcare #TransHealth #AgeingWithPride #LGBTIQInclusion #GenderAffirmingCare #HealthEquity #OlderTransVoices https://lnkd.in/gYkWKvcV

🏳🌈 47 Years Since the First Sydney Mardi Gras 🏳🌈 Today, we remember. Today, we honour. The freedoms we enjoy today were carved from their courage and their pain. https://lnkd.in/grynrhM6

We see you. We hear you. And we’re taking action. GRAI has just released the Older Persons Blueprint — a bold, community-led strategy shaped by the lived experiences of nearly 200 older LGBTI Western Australians. This Blueprint outlines a 10-year vision built on five pillars: 🔹 Inclusion 🔹 Equity 🔹 Dignity 🔹 Wellbeing 🔹 Healing With 24 initiatives and over 100 actions, it’s a practical roadmap for change across government, services, and community. Because ageing with pride should never mean ageing in isolation. 📄 Download the Blueprint: https://lnkd.in/gdg_d4AH #LGBTI #AgeingWithPride #InclusivePolicy #OlderLGBTI #GRAI #LGBTIQA #Strategy #WACommunity

Definitely welcome news but also long overdue.

🟣 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - It’s time we had a hard conversation within our own community. LGBTIQA+ elder abuse isn’t just happening in aged care facilities or behind closed doors — it’s happening in our community too. When we ignore our elders, erase their history, or fail to include them in our spaces, that’s a form of neglect. And neglect is abuse. We can't demand dignity and equality for ourselves while staying silent about the treatment of those who paved the way. Older LGBTI people deserve more than rainbow flags once a year — they deserve to be seen, heard, and safe, every day. 🏳️🌈 Let’s step up. Let’s speak out. Let’s end LGBTIQA+ elder abuse. Read more: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dU-GAVav #WorldElderAbuseAwarenessDay #LGBTI #DignityInAgeing #VisibilityMatters #EndElderAbuse #LGBTISeniors #GRAI #WEAAD2025 #LGBTQIA+ #RespectOurElders #EndElderAbuse

https://lnkd.in/gCTsZX-m “𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐 𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.” That headline from an NBC News article last year speaks to a universal reality—one echoed here in WA. As one advocate in the article shared: “𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘶𝘴. 𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦.” At GRAI, we believe that no one should age without connection or safe housing. That’s why we created the Pride Housing Project—a pilot initiative that brings together #LGBTIQA+ #students seeking accommodation with #LGBTI people over 50 who have a room to share. This is more than just housing. It’s about:  • Building meaningful intergenerational relationships  • Reducing social isolation  • Creating culturally safe and supportive living arrangements Whether you’re a student looking for a safe place to stay, or someone over 50 with a room and a desire to connect—this project is for you. 📧 pridehousing@grai.org.au | 📞 0416 617 468 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gDAHNXvg 📝 Express your interest: https://bttr.im/2y9ym 📖 Read the full article: NBC News – LGBTQ Elders Struggle Let’s create homes where everyone belongs—because connection shouldn’t fade with age. #AgeingWithPride #InclusiveHousing #IntergenerationalLiving #LGBTIAging #CommunityConnection #SafeHousing #QueerYouth #LGBTIQAStudents #SocialInclusion #BelongingMatters

On ANZAC Day, we honour all who served. GRAI also remembers those LGBTI individuals who did so with pride — but in silence. LGBTI Australians have always been part of our military history. Today, people can serve openly and authentically — but for many, that wasn’t always the case. Countless individuals were forced to hide who they were, risking discharge, discrimination, or worse. Their courage was shown not only in uniform, but in enduring the silence. They served their country without recognition. Today, we honour their strength, their sacrifice — and look toward a future where no one must choose between their identity and their service. 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 — 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙪𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙚. #ANZACDay #LGBTI #Veterans #LestWeForget #GRAI