Mature Age Gays founder honoured

Steve Ostrow, founder of Mature Age Gays (MAG), has been awarded a Seniors’ Week Achievement Award in the field of Health and Wellbeing.

MAG has improved the lives of hundreds of older gay and bisexual men over the last 21 years by providing a platform for older men to meet, have talks on wellness and health issues, share a meal and enjoy entertainment.

Volunteers also visit their fellow MAGs in hospitals and hospices, hostels and their homes.

Ostrow’s award recognises his commitment to improving the mental and physical wellbeing of older men.

Ostrow, whose association with the LGBTI community began in 1967 with the opening of the Continental Baths in New York, said the group had arisen out of an identified need among gay and bi men over 40 at the height of the battle against HIV/AIDS.

“A lot of the campaigns were aimed at younger people,” he told gaynewsnetwork.

“But among the over 40s there were issues of estrangement, loss of partners and fear for the future.”

MAG was set up in response to those needs and has flourished ever since, becoming the largest organisation catering to older gay and bi men in the world.

NSW Minister for Ageing introduced the award ceremony saying, “The seniors awarded today represent the diversity of talent, generosity of spirit and limitless energy of seniors in our state.

“As a collective they represent what it means to be an older Australian today.”

Pictured: Steve Ostrow receives his award from Ita Buttrose