The Views Room

Older Queer Voices E28 CRIMINALISED, NOT SILENCED

In this episode of Older Queer Voices, host Raga D’silva is in conversation with Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, a pioneering lesbian activist from Sri Lanka and founder of Equal Ground. Rosanna shares her powerful journey from a young girl in Sri Lanka struggling with her identity, to finding freedom and belonging in San Francisco, and ultimately returning home to  Sri Lanka to challenge injustice. Her story is one of courage, clarity and deep purpose, shaped by acceptance from her parents and a lifelong commitment to human rights. The conversation explores the harsh realities of criminalisation in Sri Lanka, the impact of colonial laws, and the ongoing fight for dignity and equality for LGBTQ+ people. Rosanna speaks candidly about building movements from the ground up, creating safe spaces for queer women, and expanding that work into a national platform that includes advocacy, allyship and cultural change. There is also reflection on the documentary Outlaws, where Rosanna’s story forms part of a larger global narrative on how outdated laws continue to harm LGBTQ+ communities. She speaks about the emotional weight of that storytelling and the importance of visibility in shifting mindsets. Alongside the challenges, this episode holds space for hope. Rosanna highlights the growing number of allies, the importance of community, and the role each person can play in creating change. She speaks directly to parents about unconditional love, and to those struggling with their identity, reminding them that they are valid, worthy and not alone. This is a deeply honest and moving conversation about resilience, activism and what it means to live authentically while fighting for others. Follow us on You Tube  https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom [https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom] Instagram @theviewsroom emailtheviewsroom@gmail.com

Older Queer Voices E27: Domestic Violence in LGBTQ+ Relationships

Trigger Warning: In this powerful episode of Older Queer Voices, host Raga D’silva brings an urgent and deeply moving conversation into the open; domestic abuse within LGBTQ+ communities. With honesty and care, Raga is joined by Debbie Cannon, a specialist in trans and non-binary domestic abuse, and Michelle Weltman, who shares her lived experience of surviving abuse in a same sex relationship. Together, they unpack the uncomfortable realities that often go unseen. From coercive control and emotional abuse to the unique ways identity can be weaponised, this conversation sheds light on experiences that are too often dismissed, misunderstood or hidden in silence. With millions affected across the UK and many LGBTQ+ survivors never accessing support, this episode asks difficult questions. Why are so many not believed? What keeps people from reaching out? And how do we begin to recognise abuse that doesn’t always look the way we expect? This is not an easy listen. But it is an important one. If you or someone you know may be affected, please take care while listening and remember; you are not alone, and support is available. Watch. Listen. Share. Start the conversation. Helpline: Call 999 Galop You can phone us on 0800 999 5428. You can email help@galop.org.uk [help@galop.org.uk].   Follow us on You Tube  https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom [https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom] Instagram @theviewsroom emailtheviewsroom@gmail.com

Older Queer Voices E26 Jo Rzymowska - Travelling Proud

In this episode of Older Queer Voices Podcast, host Raga D’silva sits down with Jo Rzymowska MBE, a trailblazer in global travel and one of the UK’s most visible LGBTQ+ business leaders. With a career spanning over four decades across brands like Disney, Thomas Cook and Celebrity Cruises, Jo shares her extraordinary journey from a young overseas rep navigating life-changing experiences, to leading with authenticity at the highest levels of business. She speaks candidly about growing up with a refugee family history, discovering her identity, and the long, complex path from hiding her sexuality to becoming a powerful, visible leader. Jo reflects on the realities of being a gay woman in the workplace in the 80s and 90s, the fear, the silence, and what it took to finally live and lead openly. Now, as the founder of Jovolution, (www.jovolution.com [http://www.jovolution.com/]) she is focused on giving back through mentoring, coaching and driving meaningful change in diversity, equity and inclusion. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, leadership and the power of being your true self. Visibility matters. Showing up matters. And stories like Jo’s remind us why. Follow us on You Tube  https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom [https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom] Instagram @theviewsroom emailtheviewsroom@gmail.com

Older Queer Voices E25 LISA POWER - UNFILTERED

In this episode host Raga D'silva is joined by Lisa Power, one of the most influential LGBTQ activists in the UK.  From volunteering on the Lesbian and Gay Switchboard during the early HIV AIDS crisis to co-founding Stonewall, shaping sexual health policy, and preserving LGBTQ history through projects like Queer Tours and Queer Britain Museum, Lisa has dedicated her life to queer rights. They explore her journey coming out in the 1970s, the challenges of navigating a binary and often hostile queer movement, and the radical early activism that included organising large marches without the internet or social media.  Lisa shares rare insights into the founding of Stonewall, the overlooked roles of lesbians in early HIV activism, and how humour and defiance have shaped her approach to life and ageing.  She also reflects on the danger of queer history being erased and why it is vital that older queer voices tell their own stories. Follow us on You Tube  https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom [https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom] Instagram @theviewsroom emailtheviewsroom@gmail.com

Older Queer Voices E24 Jennifer jefferies - The Present Day Wise Woman

In this episode of Older Queer Voices Podcast, host Raga D’silva interacts with Jennifer Jeffries, speaker, author, and wellness advocate from the Gold Coast, Australia. Jennifer’s work celebrates women’s power, wisdom, and sovereignty, especially for older women, through her Present Day Wise Woman philosophy and podcast. We explore Jennifer’s extraordinary journey, from growing up in a conservative household, joining the Australian army at seventeen, being dismissed for being gay, to becoming a global advocate for resilience, health, and unapologetic queerness. She shares her insights on nervous system repair, the Rise Strong Method, and how older queer voices can inspire younger generations to live full, authentic lives. In this episode we discuss the challenges and courage of living openly as a queer woman in the late nineteen seventies, the evolution of Jennifer’s work supporting women’s confidence and voice, how older women and queer women can create generational impact, and her philosophy of the Present Day Wise Woman, which nurtures resilience and purpose. Follow us on You Tube  https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom [https://www.youtube.com/@theviewsroom] Instagram @theviewsroom emailtheviewsroom@gmail.com