http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Di0YiDzXsAAUoOn.jpg

In recent years, there have been more spontaneous international movements towards liberalising LGBTQI individuals. However, older LGBTQI individuals still experience social discrimination and cultural stigma. For example, interactions with older LGBTQI population could bring social discomfort to individuals. Together with the cumulative effects of ageing societies, the psychological stress encountered by the older LGBTQI have been traumatised, not to mention their access to health care services specialised for LGBTQI individuals. Hence, this side event aimed to address the inequalities by older LGBTQI people and discuss the call to action on behalf of older LGBTQI population.

The meeting drew attention to criminalisation of older LGBTQI population in over 70 countries worldwide. Intergovernmental organisations were called upon to decriminalise older LGBTQI population with the provision of LGBTQI-friendly facilities and comprehensive academic research on the inequalities of older LGBTQI population.The side event then heard briefings from representatives of Brazil and the United States of America. Representing Brazil, Dr. Alexandre Kalache underscored that the denial of older LGBTQI population varies with the governance. He expressed the imminent need to consider different age groups and address proper terminologies of the LGBTQI population. On the other hand, in view of mounting concerns about ageing from the younger LGBTQI people, Mr. Fabrice Houdart from the United States of America drew attention to alleviating psychological stress and isolation from the present and future LGBTQI elderly.