Filmmaker Statement

Domestic abuse is an issue that can affect anyone however, older people are disproportionately hidden in the context of domestic abuse. And when those older victims are LGBTQ+, they become totally invisible. In 2019, I collaborated with Dewis Choice – a research group and service for older victim-survivors of domestic abuse – in a project to unearth the stories of older LGBTQ+ people who had survived abused. Over the course of a year and a half (and a global pandemic) we collaborated with many inspirational older LGBTQ+ people who not only gave us their time but shared with us their stories and their histories.  Do You See Me is the final result.  We could not have made this film without them.  Far too many of our older generations of LGBTQ+ people were brought up in a closeted world where it was better to be hidden than to stand out. A world that made them feel shame just for existing. Where help from the outside world was rarely even considered deserving, let alone required. And certainly not right.  Over the course of a year (and a global pandemic) we collaborated with many inspirational older LGBTQ+ people who not only gave us their time but shared with us their stories and their histories Older LGBTQ+ people are far too often side-lined, ignored and made to feel invisible, especially in the context of abuse. We made Do You See Me and simultaneously launched its release on both World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15th, 22) and during Pride – a month of visibility.  Since there is such a severe lack of visibility of older LGBTQ+ people both generally and in the context of domestic abuse, Do You See me attempts to take up space specifically for older queer victim-survivors to not only be seen but heard. Visibility is an essential ingredient to change.