Lifeview residents were not going to let COVID stop them from participating in this year’s Pride March in St Kilda.
Like everyone, COVID has taken many freedoms away from aged care residents, but with the sun shining, their triple vaccination status, rainbow masks and appropriate social distancing, residents decided they felt safe enough to head out and show their support for the LGBTIQ community.
Seven residents, from three Lifeview homes, joined staff in the march, held on Sunday, February 6.
Marching under the banner “Pride is like a fine wine, it gets better with age”, the residents were a big hit with the crowd as well as demonstrating age is no barrier to love and acceptance.
In previous years, whilst some residents have marched, the majority participated by riding in the Lifeview bus.
However, this year residents were more engaged as they were driven in golf carts, dancing along to music, eagerly waving to the appreciative and cheering crowd.
The increased visibility also gave greater awareness to the crowd that there are older LGBTIQ people and allies living happily in aged care, and there are safe options for the community as they age.
Many march participants and spectators commenting that it is great to see older people represented, as this gives them hope that there are services and supports for them in the future, no matter how far away or close that may be.
The Pride March capped off another successful Midsumma for Lifeview, following the Midsumma Carnival Day, Casey Rainbow Picnic and celebrating another successful re-accreditation of the company’s Rainbow Tick status, the third time it has done so.
