New film shows heartbreaking isolation of being LGBT and growing old
A new documentary examines what it means to be LGBT in the later stages of life.
‘Gen Silent’, by Logo, examines the generation gap between the ageing LGBT community and their younger counterparts.
It looks at LGBT people feeling forced to go back into the closet when they enter care homes.
Gay ‘cure’ therapy is also a subject of the documentary, as stories are told of counsellors and pastors attempting to ‘cure’ gay people.
The heartbreaking first trailer for the film has been released by Logo, and explores the importance of bridging the generation gaps in the LGBT community.
In the trailer, the subjects talk about having lost their families, or having been disowned by them.
Speaking to the Huffington Post, director Stu Maddox said: “The isolation was just… can’t describe it. We queer folk don’t have a patent on growing old alone but we definitely get a double dose of it because our support group is smaller.
“Even now, it’s more likely you have a brother or sister who has ‘issues’ with you and won’t be there for you in the crunch, or that you lost a lot friends from AIDS in the 80s/90s, or maybe you just don’t want the married with children life.
“All of these things made me realise that it’s extra important to fill my life starting now with people who will really love me enough to wipe my bottom later on. Did I just say that? Yup. It’s true though.”
Watch the trailer for ‘Gen Silent’ below:
