12 March 2010

Want to see what happens when over three hundred gay and lesbian senior citizens get friendly in the dark? Then get along to a delightful, delicious and de-lovely afternoon that’s set to put the silver back into the silver screen.

Afternoon Delight is a gay and lesbian movie matinee and tea party that’s being presented by ACON, Queer Screen and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) as part of the official program of events for NSW’s 2010 Seniors Week.

Screening at Paddington’s Chauvel cinema, the FREE event will include a double feature presentation of classic queer cinema plus a delectable high tea served by a bevy of matinee guy-dolls.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the event acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of NSW’s senior citizenry.

“NSW has a significant older GLBT population,” he says. “In fact, about 35,000 people in NSW over the age of 55 identify as gay or lesbian. They play a vital and valued role in our community and we’re delighted to be partnering with Queer Screen and DADHC to provide this wonderful opportunity for the more mature members of our community to get together and have a good time.

“It’s great that the organisers are recognising the GLBT community in this year’s Senior’s Week celebrations and we look forward to working more closely with a range of government and community organisations to help provide more opportunities for older gay men and lesbians in NSW.  However, Afternoon Delight is not just for our golden queers. Anyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun – old, young, gay or straight, we don’t discriminate.”

The movies to be screened are Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement and An Englishman In New York which have both screened to great acclaim at many gay and lesbian film festivals throughout the world. Edie & Thea is an American film from 2009 which follows the lives of feisty and delightful community activist couple Edie and Thea who are finally getting married after surviving 42 years of personal and political battles. An Englishman in New York is a 2009 biopic that chronicles the English gay writer Quentin Crisp's later years spent in New York City. It’s a follow-up to the 1975 TV movie The Naked Civil Servant with John Hurt reprising his role as Crisp.

The FREE afternoon tea will be served between screenings.

WHAT: Afternoon Delight – Gay & Lesbian Movie Matinee + Tea Party

WHERE: Chauvel Cinema, Paddington Town Hall, Cnr Oxford St and Oatley Rd, Paddington

WHEN: Saturday 27 March 2010

TIME: 12pm – 4pm

COST: FREE (gold donations gratefully accepted)

BOOKINGS: (02) 9206 2121 or dgavan@acon.org.au

INFO: www.acon.org.au