Pensioner campaigns for gay retirement homes

A gay pensioner who brought up a family in Burnham before coming out is campaigning for more specialist retirement homes for homosexuals.

George Montague, who lived in the village until 1997, said discrimination against same sex relationships is 'rife' amongst the senior community and maybe forcing some homosexual pensioners 'back into the closet'.

"I spent more than 30 years of my life living in the closet because in those days being a homosexual was unacceptable," said the 89-year-old.

"Today, young people understand and accept it more. But a lot of people from my generation don't which is why I think there should be care homes for homosexual people, where they can retire and not be discriminated against."

The former scout commissioner, who established the Dorneywood scout camp in Dorneywood Road, said he married his wife Vera in 1960 because it was expected of him.

But the former businessman, who owned Montague Pattern and Casting in Cippenham Lane, said he couldn't suppress his sexuality and had affairs, even meeting men in public toilets in the village.

The couple, who brought up their three children in Burnham Lane, stayed together for 22 years before George finally came out about his sexuality to his family.

“My wife had known for sometime but we agreed to stay together for the children,” said the grandfather-of-three.

“I consider myself to be very lucky because my family were so accepting. My wife and I remained good friends after we separated.”

George has now retired with his Thai boyfriend of 16 years, Somchai, in Brighton but said the possibility of having to go into a retirement home worries him.

He added: "Homosexual people have to overcome many obstacles in their lives and retirement should be a time of relaxation and happiness.

"That is why I'm raising awareness for the case of gay care homes in the UK."