Barbara Roche

The public and voluntary sectors are being urged to recognise the needs of older lesbians and gay men as the UK population ages.

Speaking at a conference on the needs of older lesbians and gay men, cabinet office minister Barbara Roche said: "This conference is a testament to the fact that the government has achieved a great culture change over recent years. But it is still the case that older lesbians and gay men can face dual discrimination in our society and we must do all we can to eliminate that.

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern in England, told ePolitix.com: "Age Concern is committed to helping all older people lead a more fulfilling later life. Older people are a diverse group and lesbians and gay men are part of that diversity. Voluntary and public sector organisations need to address the need to do more research in to older people and the way they live their lives.

"Many older lesbians and gay men have spent at least half their lives in varying degrees of secrecy, fear, shame, excitement, joy and love. Some have coped better than others.

"Age Concern does not claim to be an expert in this field but this conference is a chance to listen to the problems and concerns of older lesbians and gay men. We hope that this will impact on the work that we do as a charity as well as encourage other organisations and policy makers to create equal treatment towards older lesbians and gay men."