Before transition entered their lives, Joanne Lockwood and Marie Manley were a couple rooted in routine, partnership, and family life; husband, wife, parents, navigating the world in roles that seemed permanent. But when Joanne stepped into her truth as a trans woman, both of them were pulled into parallel transformations - Joanne into her authentic self, Marie into a new understanding of her role, her identity, and her love. Together, they re-built their relationship, re-imagined par...

Clare Summerskill is a celebrated writer, comedian, actor and theatre-maker whose work has amplified lesbian and LGBT+ stories for decades. From her much-loved show Why God Created Lesbians to the powerful storytelling in At the Rainbow’s End, Clare has consistently brought humour, heart and authenticity to the stage. On Older Queer Voices Podcast, we explore Clare’s creative process, her craft, and the impact of her work while reflecting briefly on how lived experience shapes what she ...

As our LGBTQ+ communities age, we are entering new territory one filled with hopes, fears, systemic gaps, and deeply personal questions. What does it mean to grow older as a trans person in the UK today? What does dignity look like in later life? How do we protect identity, autonomy and respect in systems that don’t always understand us? We are honoured to speak with Jacqui Gavin, a remarkable woman whose life and work have shaped conversations on trans equality across the UK. Jacqui i...

In this episode of Older Queer Voices, we explore a powerful story of courage, injustice, and change. For decades, LGBT people were banned from serving in the UK armed forces many were arrested, discharged, or stripped of their medals simply for being who they were. Our guests, Emma Riley and Catherine Dixon, are two remarkable veterans who have dedicated their lives to fighting for justice and recognition for those affected by this cruel policy. Catherine (Cat) Dixon is an experienced CEO, s...

Marriage equality was a turning point; it gave our relationships the dignity and recognition we had fought for. But what happens when those relationships end? What does love look like when the law is involved and what does letting go mean for queer people who have built lives, families, and histories together? We talked love, law, and loss with Barrister Rachel Cooper , a specialist in LGBTQ+ family law, and Podcaster/Author Rosie Wilby, Podcast Host and Author of Is Monogamy Dead?’ and ‘The ...

In this Episode Amanda Currie brings over 20 years of distinguished service within the UK Prison Service, where she played a pivotal role in advancing equality and inclusion for LGBTQ+ staff and prisoners alike. As an active member of GALIPS (Gay and Lesbians in the Prison Service), Amanda designed and delivered nationwide awareness sessions and talks aimed at enhancing senior management and staff understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and the unique challenges faced by the community with...

There was a lot of heartbreak, a lot of pain, a lot of fights, a lot of insecurities", shares Gurleen Arora with Raga Olga D'silva as she talks about her marriage breakdown, her coming Out journey and her current relationship with her same-gender partner. A Views Room Presentation Follow us on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom Instagram @theviewsroom emailtheviewsroom@gmail.com

Grief and loss are universal experiences but for older LGBTQ+ people, they often come with added layers; of invisibility, of complex family structures, of having lived through decades of stigma, and of watching chosen families slowly fade without recognition or ritual. This episode of Older Queer Voices is a space to explore how grief shows up in our lives and our communities not just through bereavement, but also through isolation, displacement, and the loss of cultural memory. We are...

In this episode of Older Queer Voices, we turn our attention to Section 28, a piece of UK legislation that shaped the lives of LGBTQ+ people for over 15 years. Enacted by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1988, Section 28 banned local authorities and schools from “promoting homosexuality,” a vague and chilling mandate that stifled support, erased representation, and instilled a culture of fear. Though it was repealed in 2003, its impact still reverberates through the memories, traumas, and s...

South Asian Queer Voices Older Queer Voices | Breaking Taboos in South Asian Homes: Mental Health, Care & Queer Futures In many South Asian households, we are taught to stay silent about the things that hurt us most; mental health, domestic and elder abuse in our homes and even the idea of putting our aging parents in care homes. These conversations are often buried under the weight of “log kya kahenge?” (What will people say?), even when silence comes at the cost of safety, wellbeing, an...

This conversation is a truly special one. It’s about love, family, identity, and the realities of growing older as queer people. I am joined by Dr. Jack López, a gay trans man, proud birth parent of four children from his first relationship and his current partner, Dr Iain Armstrong, a gay cis man. Together, they bring us a deeply personal and insightful conversation on the complexities of family, identity, and love. They also bring an important perspective on what it means to age as...

Episode 2: Legal matters - Planning for Queer Elders, We dived into something that might not seem exciting but is absolutely vital: The law. For queer people, especially as we age, legal planning is not just about paperwork. It is about protecting our identities, our relationships, and our chosen families. We spoke with legal expert, Kirsty Limacher about everything from writing a will to setting up powers of attorney, planning for care, and making sure your wishes are respected e...

Our launch episode, 'Act Your Age,' brings together three powerful voices, Jan Gooding, DJ Ritu and Jonathan Phang who share honest reflections on ageing in the public eye. From industry biases and the relentless hustle, to love, sex and the truth that desire doesn't disappear with age this episode is raw, real and vital. They also speak about those in the LGBTQ+ community who still can’t come out, reminding us why visibility and these conversations...

'Coming out' stories from India - Raga D'silva talks with Debolina Dey about her journey of coming out in Siliguri, West Bengal, India. They talk about being gay in small-town India and her process of self-exploration and discovery Do you know that there is a huge amount of strategising and censorship Debolina has to follow even today, in her day to day life. Does she feel free within? What does freedom mean? Does she believe that the page is turning? Let's find out....watch this ...

"I thought that after marriage everything will be all right, that with a wife, I will have children and become "normal" and then I will be at peace. I was struggling and striving to be "normal." I never knew and nobody told me that I was gay and [that] this itself is normal and it will not change. That this is what is called homosexuality and it is not a disease. I tremendously regret for ruining her life. (ex-wife) I feel guilty, but I simply did not know better. In this Episode ...