Brenda Appleton is a leading advocate for trans and gender diverse communities in Victoria, Australia. She brings over 20 years of experience working directly with community groups in Melbourne, including LGBTI communities. Brenda is the Co-Chair of the Victorian Government’s LGBTI Taskforce, Chair of Transgender Victoria, a member of the Victorian Mental Health Expert Taskforce and a member of the Victorian Government’s Elder Abuse Roundtable. Brenda utilises her deep understanding of LGBTI communities and her lived experience to raise awareness about issues effecting trans and gender diverse people, deliver essential training and education and advocate for the improved health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse Victorians.

Brenda will discuss a range of issues facing LGBTI elders in Australia, with a particular focus on the Victorian context. The Victorian Government has allocated unprecedented funding to projects and services dedicated to LGBTI inclusion. The Victorian Government has established Australia’s first Minister for Equality, Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, LGBTI Taskforce and Equality Branch- inclusive LGBTI ageing and aged care is one of its key priorities. Brenda will discuss a variety of health and service provision topics such as social isolation, complex family relationships, fear of prejudice when accessing aged care and other health services, the impacts of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in the LGBTI elder community and comparing research and best practice internationally, planning for end of life, Rainbow Tick LGBTI inclusion accreditation, non-binary identities as a growing aspect of trans and gender diverse identities, and Australia’s National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy- the first of its kind.