Issues facing lgbtq people over 50
LGBTQ+ Americans Face Retirement Inequities
06/25/24
Pride Month is observed each June to mark the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that sparked the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the Merged States. Celebrations are centered around building community, noticing the progress made towards equality, and honoring those who have made that progress possible. But Identity Month is also an opportunity to reflect on the work yet to be done, including the inequities that persist when it comes to the retirement income security of LGBTQ+ older adults.
According to a new report from The National Council on Aging and the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston, LGBTQ+ older adults earn less money and are more likely to have trouble paying their bills than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. Additionally, they are more likely to be forced into retirement due to health issues (NCOA reports that they are also more likely to face discrimination while looking for or receiving medical care).
Consequently, LGBTQ+ Americans are less likely to have confidence that they will own the financial ability to live comfortably throughout retirement. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, they are also less likel
Embracing diversity: Issues faced by LGBTQ older adults
As we celebrate Pride Month, it is important to shed light on the distinct challenges faced by LGBTQ older adults in America. With an aging population that includes more than 2.4 million individuals who identify as lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, or transgender+ (e.g., pansexual, queer, fluid, asexual), it is crucial for friends, family or protect providers to be knowledgeable and affirming about the histories and concerns of this marginalized group. This blog post aims to explore the disparities faced by LGBTQ older adults, including their economic and health struggles, social isolation and the need for inclusive care.
Unique considerations
It is becoming more recognized that the older adult population in the United States is on the soar , meaning the number of LGBTQ older adults is also increasing. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, it is estimated that the older adult population will rise to around 19% by 2030. Within this demographic, individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities face one-of-a-kind challenges; for example, LGBTQ older adults experience economic and health disparities at higher rates compared to thei
LGBTQ Older People
*This section was created as a collaboration between GLAAD and SAGE
According to national representation and services company SAGE, when referring in general to older people the preferred phrasing is older people, not “elderly” or “senior citizens.” This might change depending on the person you are writing about. As always, inquire people what language they use to describe themselves.
While the lack of national data makes it impossible to know the specific size of the older LGBTQ grown-up population, it is estimated that by 2030, there will be 7 million LGBTQ people in the U.S. who are 50 and older. LGBTQ older people face one-of-a-kind challenges when compared with their non-LGBTQ peers. A 2010 MAP/SAGE study establish that older LGBTQ people are twice as likely to be single and live alone, and four times less likely to acquire children, making social isolation a significant challenge for this community. In addition, LGBTQ older people are more likely to face povertyhomelessness, and physical and mental health challenges.
When reporting on LGBTQ older people, topics to explore include:
LGBTQ People as caregivers
LGBTQ older people are more likely than their non-LGBTQ
- A long history of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ people within health care, social supports, employment, the housing sector, and other systems has led to unmet health and social needs that result in health disparities for these populations when compared with cisgender, heterosexual individuals.
- States, managed care plans, and providers are implementing strategies to improve access to culturally responsive care through anti-discrimination legislation, partnering with inclusive organizations, and delivering supplier trainings.
- This brief explores opportunities to better back LGBTQ+ older adults through Medicaid. It also includes unique considerations for California partners to support this population through CalAIM, the state’s Medicaid transformation initiative.
The U.S. population is rapidly aging. Likewise, older adults who identify as lesbian, queer , bisexual, transgender, queer, and additional sexual and gender identities (LGBTQ+) are also a rapidly growing population. Currently there are an estimated 2.7 million
Why LGBTQ+ people over 50 who trial homelessness need our focus too
I recently worked with a 72 year ancient gay man called Shaun*. Shaun’s HIV positive, has suffered four bouts of cancer, self manages a stoma and has poor mobility. When a flash flood made him homeless, his local authority initially refused to offer him interim accommodation.
Shaun had no immediate family to assist him. I’m sure that, without Stonewall Housing’s advocacy, he would have ended up on the streets. Thankfully we intervened, successfully arguing his case to acquire emergency accommodation and working with him to find a longer-term option.
For older members of the LGBTQ+ community, these kinds of situations are more prevalent than you might think. Our explore shows they are more likely to experience isolation, are more likely to be estranged from their biological families and less likely to have children to turn to for support in their older years.
To truly understand why older people who identify as Gay may experience difficulties like Shaun, it’s important to know the environment they grew up in.
In 1983, against the backdrop of the emerging AIDs crisis, homophobic attacks from the press