Scotland's first Silver Pride - for older LGBT people - to take place in Ayrshire

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A unique festival that celebrates the older LGBT community will take place tomorrow at Park Hotel in Kilmarnock.Silver Pride is a timely celebration of diversity and inclusivity for older adults who identify as, or work with those who identify as LGBT and is the first Older Adult specific LGBT event in Scotland.The event will take place between 11.30am and 2.30pm tomorrow and will be attended by 180 community members.

National Lottery funding has been secured to host the event and to provide a program of training across the independent sector as well as to social work and social care staff.An event spokesperson said: "We are beginning to see a rise in residents who do not identify as heterosexual and we are now seeing individuals coming into the care sector looking for support, as they are now feeling more confident in being able to share their identities."Feedback from managers and staff in our independent care home sector and care at home managers and staff would suggest that they are in need of some training and guidance to help them support individuals and their families, and to help them manage the reactions of other care home residents in respect of those who identify as LGBT."A cultural shift is upon us, with those who have benefited from the more liberal societies we now have, entering their older years."Our take away message is ‘You are Safe with Us’ which all staff members attending will receive a pin badge to demonstrate their support of inclusivity, as will all staff trained in the coming months.

We want all older adults to live as their authentic self."On the day, there will be 25 stalls which will include local community organisations such as Advocacy, SFRS, East Ayrshire Carers Centre, and internal departments, social care learning hub, ADP, VaW and more.SL33 Hub is creating all of the art work, balloons and has been heavily involved in the planning alongside Equality Lead Alyia Zaheed and Lorna McIlreavy.The day speakers include Com Mcbriarty from