LGBT+ History Month 2023
This LGBT+ History Month (founded by Schools Out) we used our platform to profile historic events that impacted the LGBT+ community and are still impacting older LGBT+ people today.
Many of these momentous and devastating events directly influenced the need for our work; for LGBT+ affirming retirement housing with care to be an option for our community.
We also wanted to focus on how Tonic has made UK history with the opening of Tonic@Bankhouse, and the work we do with our residents being 100% community-led.
Have a look below at our LGBT+ History Month content and events:
Watch Vito’s Story
This is why LGBT+ affirming housing and support are needed and can be life-changing.
Read our Chartered Institute of Housing blog
Cat’s piece Highlighting the needs and experiences of our residents and the demand for LGBT+ affirming retirement living.
LGBT+ History Month Events
foster + partners panel
20th February 2023
We had the absolute pleasure of being invited to the extraordinary Foster + Partners building, who hosted a panel of our fantastic residents and staff to talk about Tonic@Bankhouse.
Foster's are the masters of design behind our home Bankhouse and our sister building the Corniche, built in 2017.
Foster's were absolutely thrilled to hear that Tonic became one of the housing providers within Bankhouse in 2021. To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, they invited our staff, residents, community panel and board on a private tour of their offices and hosted a panel to hear about why our community chose this building and listen to the stories of our residents.
Moderated by the wonderful Andrew Tuck, Editor in Chief of Monocle, guest speakers included Michael Jones, Senior Partner at Fosters, Aaron Hargreaves, our CEO Anna Kear, Head of Operations, Bob Green OBE and two of our fabulous residents Raga and Steve.
£216.72 was raised for Tonic by Architecture LGBT+ ticket sales too!
Andrew and Michael set the scene; friends for over 20 years, they reminisced on a conversation they’d had many years ago- wondering what they were going to do when they reached retirement age.
“We grew up in a time when you had to take an AIDS test before being approved for rented accommodation. We thought about buying a plot of land when we got old and building a version of Tonic ourselves. We’re so glad you are here."
Their spectacular hub was decorated head to toe with an LGBT+ history timeline, that wrapped around an entire wall, featuring key moments through history and celebrating icons. They couldn’t have made our residents feel more welcome , they enjoyed an evening of meeting the architects who worked directly on Bankhouse, members of the LGBT+ architect's network, and tucked into a glorious spread of wine and nibbles.
"Thank you for arranging last night’s visit to Norman Forster’s fabulous headquarters and for their LGBT+ History Month Event, most enjoyable and inspirational. Well done Cat. Bravo to Anna, Bob, Steve and Raga for putting Tonic and us firmly on the map of the LGBT+ history. I feel so proud to be part of this history and living at Tonic. So sad Tim is not longer able to share this experience with me." - Tonic Resident, Min, 73
TOnic@Bankhouse LGBT+ quiz night
26th February 2023
We wrapped up LGBT+ History Month in the best way we know how, community!
Our lovely Bob and Sherine hosted an 'All Things History' quiz night at the Tonic@Bankhouse bar for our residents, future residents and their friends.
The bar is one of Tonic@Bankhouse's community spaces, where we often host activities and events which are fundamental in our LGBT+ affirming offer and building a thriving community.
‘Going into the care closet?’ Panel
16th February 2023
