I feel like focus on LGBT rights today primarily focuses on youthful expression and challenging concepts of the ‘normative’ family. But the experience of aging and elderly queer people is rarely (if ever) brought to light. LGBT Aging Projects are emerging around the United States to address the prejudice many older people are suffering in nursing homes and assisted-living centers today. This article cites specific examples of the depression, mistreatment, and isolation many older LGBT people are facing. Some have even committed suicide rather than live in such an uninviting environment. The article quotes that there are an estimated 2.4 million LGB ‘out’ Americans over the age of 55. These issues have to be seriously dealt with now or the LGBT community will be in much more trouble when the youth of today reach senior status. I really, really encourage everyone to at least glance at this article here.
3 comments:
I think it's really sad that such courageous elderly people who have made the choice to come out in spite of the rampant discrimination that they surely faced early on in life for being gay don't have the opportunity to live their supposedly "golden years" in a safe and tolerant environment. The mere fact that they have to constantly worry whether or not they are receiving fair medical care due to their sexuality is troubling to me. Mainstream nursing homes seem like a step back into the closet for LGBT seniors. I think the idea of nursing homes just for LGBT seniors is a great one, and I think the demand for them is going to rise as our society becomes more and more tolerant, and as more and more people come out. Thanks for posting this. It was an interesting read, and it brought to light an issue that I have never even thought about.
I had no idea this was happening. I think it's interesting that so many issues like this we don't think about happening when they are very apparent. Senior citizens who need to go into nursing homes probably already feel vulnerable for having to rely on someone else to care for them-it shouldn't matter their sexual orientation. I think it's great, however, that there is a movement for LGBT nursing homes and that it is definately an issue that will become more apparent.
This is very near and dear to my heart. My aunt is gay and she and her partner face discrimination every day. Since they are getting on in years and facing more medical needs, the medical care is of great concern to them. Thanks for posting this. It needs to be brought to more people's attention.
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