LGBTQI seniors and their friends are set to celebrate all things queer on the silver screen, with the highly anticipated return of Afternoon Delight during July and August

Produced by ACON, NSW’s leading LGBTQ health organisation, Afternoon Delight features a series of movie matinees and afternoon tea parties in Sydney and regional NSW for LGBTQ seniors and their friends.

Now in its eleventh year, Afternoon Delight is presented in partnership with Uniting and Seniors Rights Service.

LGBTQ seniors will be treated to a selection of LGBTQ-themed shorts, followed by the feature film McKellen: Playing the Part. The acclaimed documentary takes a closer look at Sir Ian McKellen’s life, work and activism as one of only a few openly gay actors in Hollywood. The screening will be followed by a delicious afternoon tea, networking and access to local community health information.

“This is ACON’s annual premiere event for LGBTQ seniors, their family and friends and we are excited to be marking Afternoon Delight’s twelfth year,” ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said.

“Since it was first held in Sydney in 2007, Afternoon Delight has grown to include screenings across NSW, and this year, it will roll out in Wagga Wagga, Newcastle, Lismore, Katoomba, Sawtell and Sydney. We thank everyone for their getting behind Afternoon Delight throughout the years, and for their continued support for the health and wellbeing of older members of our communities.

“NSW has a significant older LGBTQ population and our rainbow seniors continue to play a vital and valued role in our communities,” Parkhill said.

“Events like Afternoon Delight allows for older members of our communities to get together in a welcoming environment, enjoy movies about their lives and also reduce a very real sense of social isolation that many can experience. During the afternoon tea, which in selected locations will be served by local drag performers, guests will have the chance to mingle, chat and pick up local health information about living well and healthy.”

This year’s screenings are presented by LGBTQ inclusive health and wellbeing organisations, Uniting and Seniors Rights Service, and supported by Queer Screen, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, and LGBTIQ+ Funerals.

Jill Reich, Director of Customer People and Systems for Uniting, said: “Uniting is a faith-based organisation that proudly welcomes everyone exactly as they are. We celebrate the diversity of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, intersex variation and gender identity. We are honoured to be a sponsor of this year’s Afternoon Delight because we take every opportunity to celebrate LGBTI inclusion. Uniting provides a range of services to seniors, including LGBTI people, and their loved ones, and provides care and support for people through all ages and stages of life.”

Russell Westacott, CEO of Seniors Rights Service, said: “Seniors Rights Service is passionate about supporting rainbow seniors. We promote their rights, so they can live their lives as the fabulous people they are. We provide free and confidential legal services to over 65s as well as aged care advocacy. We host community education sessions across NSW. The LGBTI community is one of our ‘priority populations’ and we are present at many rainbow events. Afternoon Delight is the perfect opportunity for senior members to connect, relax and share stories. We are proud to be involved.”

Parkhill added: “We thank our partners and supporters for continuing to recognise the LGBTQ community in their celebrations and we look forward to working more closely with a range of community organisations to help provide more opportunities for older LGBTQ people in NSW.”

Afternoon Delight is a community event for LGBTQ seniors and their friends – young and old, and bookings are essential. See next page for dates, locations and RSVP details. You can also register here.