Research
One of the foundational objectives of the 26th December Foundation is the development of studies and research, as well as to programme, produce, edit and distribute publications, in order to advise and inform about issues related to health, culture, physical activity, leisure and free time to the people the Foundation is aimed at.
Also the organisation and coordination of congresses, symposia, meetings, days, seminars and cycles of conferences that address the needs and the comprehensive issues of older LGTBIQ+ people.
Our projects
Academy of Geras: healthy ageing project
With funding from the 2030 Agenda
“The Academy of Geras” seeks to train LGTBIQ+ people over 50, to improve their knowledge about the bio-psycho-social characteristics of the ageing process; and to prepare them for this vital moment that is continuous, heterogeneous, universal and irreversible. The project aims to encourage people over 50 to continue seeing the development of a chosen Life Plan as possible and to include habits that ensure compliance with country challenge 7 of the 2030 Agenda and SDG 3. It is about learning to age, and to verify how a happy and healthy ageing is possible if one knows how.
This project specifically focuses on the overlapping forms of inequality that arise when connecting the axes of ageing and sexual and gender diversity, that is, the situations of double discrimination that exist in the older population that belongs to the LGTBI+ community. When several axes of social discrimination overlap, they may result in specific situations of vulnerability that require, therefore, targeted and specialised actions. This project addresses the issues arising from that interaction and proposes strategies to approach inclusive society models that care for and understand old age and diversity as positive values and social enrichment.
The project also consists of the creation of a specific website, so that interested individuals can participate and find information and resources.
*With the grant from the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030
I International Congress on Older LGTBI+
The I International Congress on Older LGTBI+ is conceived as a necessary space that will bring together agents and entities, initiatives and research that, from various disciplines and areas of responsibility from different countries, manage proposals for a healthy and sustainable LGTBI+ ageing, that combats inequality and meets the 2030 SDGs set by the European Union.
This Congress, subtitled “Past, Present and Future”, shares the research, experiences and strategies of different entities and international actors, and its celebration has the support of the Ministry of Equality. The event will take place at La Corrala of the Autonomous University of Madrid on the 3rd and 4th of October 2024, as these are the nearest working dates to the 1st of October, International Day of Older Persons. In parallel, two events linked to the Congress will be held in Sitges and A Coruña at the end of September 2024.
*With the grant from the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030
Annual meetings: Research, Memory and LGTBI+ Experiences
They have been developing since 2018, always in the month of december, and as close as possible to the 26th, precisely in order to commemorate and make visible issues of collective memory, decriminalisation and history of organisation of the collective. Even so, each year they have a specific different theme: decriminalisation of homosexuality (2018), memories of transition (2019), trans realities (2020), diverse solitudes (2021), older lesbians, feminism and memory (2022), ageing and HIV (2023).
Click here to see previous sessions.
Participation in academic-scientific studies, congresses, conferences and other research initiatives
The 26th of December Foundation actively participates in multiple research projects, both national and international, that focus on older people in the collective. So far in 2024, we have participated in more than ten specific research projects on older LGTBI+ people, their needs, their care and their aspirations. In a field of knowledge that is constantly growing, we encourage interest and collaborate in transdisciplinary groups and initiatives, which generate new knowledge and deepen existing knowledge. The value of testimony and LGTBI+ memory, as well as the necessity and relevance of specialised care and health services, stand out as key areas of our entity's research involvement.
Research on intragender violence in LGTBI people over 50 years old in Spain
The project aims to gather truthful and statistical information regarding the violence exerted and received in same-gender couples over 50 years old, as well as situating intragender violence as a real social problem, giving visibility and raising awareness about this reality both to the own target group and to the various social agents involved in intervening or attending to such situations.
The widespread silence and invisibility of these realities is what has incentivised this proposal, which will be developed through a mixed research model.
*With the grant from the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030
Research on chemsex in LGTBI people over 50 years old
(Comprehensive care guide for people who engage in sexual relations under the influence of drugs)
The project aims to develop a content guide, in the form of a good practices manual for professionals and social agents, that addresses drug use and other substances involved in sexual contexts, as well as the multiple associated consequences, especially concerning the population over 50 years old of the LGTBIQ+ group. At a time when research and acquisition of knowledge about practices related to chemsex in young populations of the group is increasing, it is crucial that biases that exclude older people from that reality, due to ageist and ableist prejudices, are not perpetuated.
*With the grant from the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030
Research "Learn to Understand Me"
Learn to Understand Me is a manual of good practices in caring for older LGTBIQ+ people that aims to address and promote equality and respect towards this group in the field of services for older people.
The manual is conceived as a practical and comprehensive tool that provides guidance to professionals in the sector, promoting an inclusive, equitable, respectful and sensitive approach to the needs of this group. Through its content, it aims to raise awareness, inform, train and promote a positive change in the care services for older people. The contents offered are designed for real application by the key stakeholders involved: authorities, interdisciplinary teams, associations, etc.
Learn to understand me will be available in printed and digital format for download for anyone who in the exercise of their profession seeks to improve the quality of care for LGBTQI+ older people.
*With the grant from the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030
Zero tolerance
This research on violence against older LGBTQI+ people aims to analyse and understand the forms of violence and discrimination faced by this population group in different social contexts. Through an interdisciplinary approach, and with a gender perspective, it seeks to obtain solid knowledge that contributes to the prevention and development of effective intervention strategies. The project is in search of accurate data on issues related to violence against the group, and which are not systematically recorded in the official statistical sources, thus avoiding distorted information that could be detrimental to the full inclusion of a highly invisibilised group.
Analysing institutional policies, staff training, social interactions and structural barriers that may influence violence, the aim is to create new protocols for prevention to respond to violence, or improve those already in place. It will also investigate the different forms of violence that may occur in residential centres for older people, such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, discrimination, isolation and unequal access to services and resources. The underlying causes of these forms of violence will be examined and strategies will be sought to prevent and address them. Zero tolerance includes, finally, the development of recommendations for improving intervention in the professional field, promoting inclusion and diversity and establishing.
*With the grant from the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030
This service, programme or project is developed thanks to:
Contact Research using the following form:
You might be interested in...
Academia de Geras
Project to learn how to age and verify that healthy and happy aging is possible.
AMA
The LGTBIQ+ Affective Memory Archive preserves and disseminates the historical and cultural memory of the LGTBIQ+ community.
Advice and assistance with procedures
Advice and assistance in Benefits, Disability or Dependency.
Psychological care
Advice and assistance in Benefits, Disability or Dependency.
Curatorship
We protect the rights of vulnerable LGTBIQ+ older people through the legal figure of guardianship.
Training
Specialised training in psychosexual and psychoaffective diversity.
Galicia
A safe space where we can share experiences and reflect on the ageing process.
Informa [te]
We provide LGTBIQ+ older people with tools and educational resources to identify hate speech, hoaxes, scams, and fake news.
Annual conferences
Research, Memory and LGTBIQ+ Experiences Meeting.
Pride
Planning of the activities that take place during the annual LGTBIQ+ Pride in Madrid.
Insertion socio-labour
We promote access to training and employment for people over 45 years old from the LGTBI community, with special attention to the Trans community,
Rejas Rosas
Comprehensive care for the LGTBIQ+ population in prisons.
Josete Massa Residence
Residence and day centre specialised in LGTBIQ+ older people.
Sexual Health & HIV
Promotion of sexual health through encouraging early diagnosis, safe practices and healthy sexuality. Rapid tests
Domestic care
Comprehensive Home Help Service specialised in LGTBIQ+ older people.
Socialisation
A wide variety of activities that promote a healthy and independent life from active ageing.
Community service
We collaborate with the General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions for the management of sentences and alternative measures.
Volunteering
Cross-cutting volunteer programme aimed at LGTBIQ+ people in vulnerable situations.