The Growing Number of LGBT in the Golden Years

A growing number of adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) are aging into what are supposed to be their golden years. According to the Census Bureau, currently there are approximately three million gays and lesbians over the age of 55 in the U.S. This number is expected to more than double in the next 25 years, climbing to an estimated seven million. Sadly, many are not finding housing or care options that are affirming or even accepting of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Finding a Retirement Home

After a lifetime of working toward equal rights in so many domains, New Boomer LGBT seniors are sadly encountering hardships in finding retirement communities that feel like home. Many who are partnered may find it especially difficult to move into a retirement community together. Currently, some facilities only allow married couples to live together. Judgment from staff or fellow retirees may also be a factor in considering a place to begin the second half of life. Untrained and insensitive staff may lead to problems when increasing levels of care become necessary. This must change.

Fighting the Fear

In fact, LGBT older adults are becoming so fearful of discrimination by caregivers or bullying by other seniors that many are choosing to go back into the closet. These individuals, many of whom won the first civil rights victories for generations to come, are now dying prematurely because they are reluctant to ask for help and have too few people to care for them. In order to avoid such tragedies (as chronicled in the film Gen Silent), more gay retirement communities are popping up across the nation and throughout the world.

Supporting LGBT Aging Community

Here in Chicago, things are beginning to look up for LGBT seniors. Just last summer the Center on Halsted announced plans with Heartland Alliance to build the Midwest’s first affordable LGBT Senior House facility. Construction is expected to begin in 2012.

NPR recently ran a piece on this issue. They highlighted Rainbow Vista, a gay-friendly senior complex in Oregon. While it proudly bills itself as “100 percent gay owned and operated,” being gay isn’t a requirement. An all-gay retirement community may be attractive for some; however, many gay seniors want to live in a diverse community.

Everyone is Welcomed

One day, perhaps gay retirement communities will be a thing of the past. Instead everyone will be welcomed into a community where they can feel free to be who they are as they grow old. In the meantime, Internet resources like Gay Retirement Guide provide LGBT seniors with information on retirement communities, retirement groups, and other relevant services. It’s the first step toward a better road home for everyone.

***Thanks to Paolo Signorini for sharing the photo used in this post. And a special thanks to Arlene Wanetick for editing the post.