'Gen Silent' documentary highlights plight of LGBT elderly

“What would you do if you were old, disabled or ill – and the person feeding you put down the spoon and explained that you are going to hell unless you change your sexual orientation? Sound absurd? According to social workers, it’s happening every day. Gen Silent is the new LGBT documentary from award-winning director and documentary filmmaker Stu Maddux (Bob and Jack’s 52-Year Adventure, Trip to Hell and Back) that asks six LGBT seniors if they will hide their lives to survive in the care system.” The above quote is from the ‘about‘ section for what promises to be a searing documentary on the plight of elderly LGBT people. This is a population largely forgotten. It’s easy to think that if we’re lucky we get old, but for LGBT seniors that luck can run out. Mistreatment, neglect, rejection and fear are forcing many of our elders to retreat back into the closet for their own safety and survival. ‘Gen Silent’ is showing at the Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival in Alberta, Canada, and is being screened in various locations around the country. I haven’t seen it yet but plan to as soon as possible. More on it when I do.]]>