The free “Gallery of Memories” audiobook features the stories of 10 different 2SLGBTQI older adults living with dementia and a foreword by Canadian icon Jann Arden…
Egale Canada, the country’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues, has released the Gallery of Memories audiobook, a powerful resource highlighting the ongoing discrimination and challenges 2SLGBTQI people face as they navigate cognitive decline. The free audiobook, with a foreword by beloved Canadian artist Jann Arden, is part of an effort to drive awareness of the unique healthcare needs of 2SLGBTQI individuals living with dementia.
“At Egale, we strive to increase awareness about the issues impacting 2SLGBTQI communities by amplifying the stories of those who too often remain unheard. Our Help Us Remain initiative is an effort to bring visibility to the intersection of dementia and 2SLGBTQI rights—a growing issue in an aging population,” said Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of Egale Canada. “This audiobook allows us to continue advocating for a future where compassionate, inclusive healthcare becomes the standard.”
The just-released audiobook is part of Egale’s Help Us Remain campaign, which includes the short film Help Us Remain, which was released earlier this year. The three and a half minute video is a cinematic exploration of Ann, a trans woman who is battling early-onset dementia while trying to hold onto the identity she fought for. As she reflects on her life’s journey, her partner must advocate for the gender-affirming care that she can no longer advocate for on her own.
Egale Canada’s just-released Gallery of Memories audiobook is the next chapter of the Help Us Remain campaign helping to stress the urgency of inclusive and tailored healthcare that protects both identity and dignity.
The Gallery of Memories audiobook features evocative stories from 10 diverse 2SLGBTQI older adults who share the personal memories they want to remember. Woven throughout these narratives are reflections by Jann Arden, whose own experiences and insights add to the emotional weight of the stories. From activism to love, these accounts provide listeners with a unique window into Canadian queer history and the challenges that arise when aging intersects with a history of discrimination.
“What do people lose when they have dementia? They lose everything. I think identity is a very difficult thing to understand, but who we are is based on our memories,” said Jann Arden “There needs to be specialized care for people in the 2SLGBTQI community that have lost their identities, their memories, things that they held true and who they are. That needs to be respected and nurtured.”
To learn more about the way 2SLGBTQI people with dementia are treated or to listen to the just-released Gallery of Memories audiobook visit, www.egale.ca or SoundCloud. The audiobook will also be available on other platforms in the coming weeks.
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