Raga D’Silva, activist, author, co-creator of Older Queer Voices, and co-founder of the UK’s only queer-led speakers’ agency, has spent years refusing to let that question go unanswered. A lesbian of Indian origin who came out in her 50s, she knows what invisibility costs. In this conversation, we talk about the AIDS crisis’s long shadow, older LGBTQ+ people forced back into closets in care homes, and why visibility isn’t a privilege, it’s a responsibility.
This one stays with you.
Links & References:
Connect With Raga D’Silva
Connect With Jennifer Jefferies
Show Note:
Raga shares her personal journey, including growing up in India with limited awareness of LGBTQ+ identities, moving to New Zealand, and eventually coming out as a lesbian in her 50s after facing significant challenges and abuse. She discusses the trauma and isolation many older LGBTQ+ people have experienced.
The AIDS crisis and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community @ 3:46
Jennifer and Raga reflect on the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 90s, including the loss of many lives and the trauma experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. They discuss how this crisis, combined with legal discrimination, created a culture of silence that has suppressed the stories of older LGBTQ+ individuals.
Challenges facing older LGBTQ+ individuals @ 10:51
Raga shares heartbreaking stories of older LGBTQ+ people, including those who have faced discrimination and abuse in healthcare settings and been forced back into the closet. She highlights the lack of LGBTQ+-affirming housing and care facilities, as well as the financial challenges many older LGBTQ+ individuals face.
Ageism and invisibility in the LGBTQ+ community @ 27:04
Jennifer and Raga discuss the internal ageism and youth-centrism within the LGBTQ+ community, which can marginalize and erase the experiences of older individuals. They emphasize the importance of intergenerational connection and making space for the wisdom and stories of elders.
The power of storytelling and visibility @ 57:44
Raga and Jennifer emphasize the critical importance of older LGBTQ+ individuals sharing their stories and experiences, both to educate younger generations and to provide hope and inspiration. They encourage financial independence and unapologetic self-expression as key steps for older LGBTQ+ people.
Closing reflections and future plans @ 1:05:41
Jennifer and Raga express gratitude for the conversation and their shared commitment to amplifying the voices and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, including through their respective podcasts and initiatives. They discuss plans to potentially meet up and celebrate their identities together.