Parallel Session: Wisdom and Wits – There Is Life After 60 :)

With an optimistic perspective, this session explores the experiences of older lesbians—celebrating the joys of aging, the strength of lifelong activism, and the new freedoms that come with time. We will reflect on saying goodbye, embracing change, and building supportive, intergenerational communities. The session highlights the inspiring work of local and international lesbian groups making space for joy, resistance, and care.
We will hear how LGBTQ+ people aged 50+ in Athens are organizing events, raising public awareness, and creating visible, inclusive spaces. In Germany, lesbian advocacy groups promote the rights and participation of older lesbians through lobbying, social events, and community programs. Some initiatives include integrating 60+ lesbians into community centers and training social workers on the specific needs of older lesbians. In Hungary, different approaches exist—such as the creation of the documentary Secret Years, and programs that foster intergenerational dialogue and care.

Facilitator: Evien Tjabbes – Co-founder of ILIS and Herstory Avengers, co-organizer of the first-ever lesbian conference in Amsterdam, a former intercultural trainer, and longtime activist involved in ILGA and ILIS for over 20 years. She currently serves as a board member of EL*C.