History

Val’s LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care was established in 2009 to improve healthy ageing pathways, care and visibility of older LGBTI+ people. The program was named in honour of Val Eastwood who opened Val's Coffee Lounge in 1951 in the heart of Melbourne at 123 Swanston Street, Melbourne.

Val’s Coffee Lounge was a refuge from the hostilities, discrimination and disapproval experienced in Melbourne during the 50s and 60s, by those we now call the LGBTI+ community. A self-described, “outrageous lesbian”, Val was a visionary, creating one of Melbourne’s first safe and welcoming spaces. All sorts of phrases have been used to describe the crowd that frequented Val’s, from bohemian demi-monde, Melbourne’s misfits, gay women and camp men, and camp and theatrical types.

Often overlooked, Val and the coffee lounge are reminders that the history of the LGBTI+ community didn’t start with Stonewall, the 70s Gay Pride Movement or Mardi Gras. There have always been LGBTI+ people and community who were strong, found each other and created spaces to be together, even in times of adversity.

Inspired by the pioneering spirit of Val Eastwood, Val’s LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care works directly with aged care providers, to improve the ageing experiences of older LGBTI+ people - our vision, much like Val’s, is to create safe services and spaces that understand and value older LGBTI+ people now and into the future.