LGBTI+ pride comes in all ages.
Whether you live in inner city Melbourne or rural Victoria – you deserve access to the supports you need. However, many older LGBTI+ people can face barriers to belonging.
Learn how Pride in Ageing is creating change across the state below. Plus, how to get involved.
About Pride in Ageing
Pride in Ageing aims to build connection, tackle ageism and improve the wellbeing of older LGBTI+ people in regional Victoria.
Some older LGBTI+ Victorians may be hesitant to engage with support services. Pride in Ageing works with local communities and organisations to create local solutions.
Recently, the program appointed 4 regional coordinators. They will work with local LGBTI+ community members to develop new ways to connect in their towns. The coordinators will also support events and activities that connect LGBTI+ people to their communities.
The 4 regional coordinators are:
- Merrin Wake (she/her) – Golden Plains
- Daniel Bryen (he/him) – Gippsland
- Jen Walsh (they/them) – Great South Coast
- Natalie Gower (she/her) – Ovens Murray, working across many First Nations lands.
Pride in Ageing is funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by Switchboard Victoria in collaboration with community.
Building connection
Lived experience looks different for every LGBTI+ older person.
Regional coordinators create a safe space for community to share their stories and create meaningful change, together.
For some, this safe space starts with a community noticeboard call-out.
Steve* had just moved back to regional Victoria and reached out. When Steve lived overseas or in large cities, he felt he was ‘saturated’ in the LGBTI+ lifestyle. However, after the move, it was hard to find LGBTI+ connections.
While meeting with his regional coordinator, he shared that it would be nice to be around LGBTI+ community who understand him. Steve has now volunteered to help with Pride in Ageing projects being coordinated in his area.
Regional coordinators have also heard from older people who have kept their sexuality hidden for many years, even from themselves. By reaching out to the program, people can share their stories and seek support to live authentically.
More information
Learn how to get involved and find out more about the program on the Pride in Ageing – Switchboard website.
Please note: for the comfort of some older community members, Pride in Ageing uses LGBTI+ to encompass all LGBTI+ identities. No one is out of scope; everyone is included.
*Name changed for privacy.
Reviewed 08 December 2025