Opening Doors, the largest UK charity for LGBTQIA people over 50, will no longer be able to continue their vital work due to ongoing financial challenges
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY GETTY (VIA CANVA)
Opening Doors, the largest UK charity for LGBTQIA people over 50, has announced the devastating news that they will be closing. Despite relentless efforts from the Board of Trustees, the charity has said with a heavy heart that after 29 February they will be unable to continue their work due to ongoing financial challenges.
Launched in 2016, Opening Doors has been supporting, uplifting, and celebrating LGBTQIA individuals over 50. Without Opening Doors, these voices simply wouldn’t have been heard. The charity has worked tirelessly to highlight the unique challenges and experiences of older LGBTQIA individuals.
In a statement released, the charity said: “Our legacy is one of pride, awareness and a foundational platform for future advocacy.”
“Closing during LGBTQ+ History Month reminds us of the resilience and courage within our community,” they continued. “We urge everyone to carry on this spirit of support and advocacy, inspiring future efforts to combat isolation and uplift older generations.”
The closure of such a pillar in our community is once again a reminder of the importance of supporting and funding LGBTQIA charities. Opening Doors offered a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQIA community, helping to escape loneliness, abuse, and isolation.
DIVA spoke to members of Opening Doors for our Feb/March issue and heard first-hand the remarkable difference the charity made in the lives of older LGBTQIA people. They provided a safe haven for those in our community who have lived through such pain so that future generations can enjoy the world we have today.
As the charity prepares to cease operations on 1 March, they are actively seeking alternative support networks for their members.
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