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Ever since coming out publicly in the late ’80s, Sir Ian McKellen has been one of the loudest voices in LGBT+ activism. He was there fighting against the introduction of Section 28, he co-founded British LGBT+ rights lobby group and charity Stonewall, and he’s still fighting the good fight extending his support to various causes and activists group tackling homophobia.

Now in his 80s, he’s turning his attention to supporting older LGBT folk, announcing that he is to set up a new charity aimed at supporting queer people over 50.

Pride in Ageing is a new program that is set to tackle the disparities in the standards of living and social isolation of older LGBT+ people. Alongside establishing a queer community for people, it will also look to provide healthcare and social services catering for queer-identifying older people. This initiative has been launched in partnership with the LGBT Foundation

In announcing the charity, Sir Ian McKellen shared:

“There was no mention of sexuality other than heterosexuality at school, on the radio, in church. Absolute silence. So is it any wonder that people who are older, when things are hazy, they may think back to a time when things were different? Waving the banner for full and total equality, and love is something that has my total support.”

Speaking about the importance of having a charity set up specifically to deal with the issues facing LGBT+ people over 50, Chief Executive of the LGBT Foundation Paul Martin OBE said that “We know that LGBT people over 50 are at a much higher risk of isolation and are under-recognized in health and social care services, and may be facing discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“We believe that all LGBT people over 50 have the right to an excellent quality of life in later years,” he said, “and look forward to working to end the many inequalities that LGBT in mid-to-later life face.”

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