Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults

There’s a new report available from the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) and Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE). It’s titled “Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults” and it shows that contrary to stereotypes, “LGBT elders are more likely to live in poverty, face social and community isolation, and lack appropriate health care and long-term care.”

The report examines the unique barriers and disparities faced by LGBT elders. It also offers detailed and practical solutions, providing a roadmap for LGBT and aging advocates, policymakers, and anyone interested in ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to age with dignity and respect.

According to the report’s abstract, in addition to the challenge that Americans face as they age, LGBT older adults also have the added burden of a lifetime of stigma; familial relationships that generally lack legal recognition under the law; and unequal treatment under laws, programs and services designed to support and protect older Americans. The report examines three areas of particular difficulty for LGBT elders (note: these are just the bullet points to read full details please download the entire report here).

- LGBT elders are less financially secure

- LGBT elders find it more difficult to achieve good health and healthcare

- LGBT elders are more likely to face social isolation

In addition to examining the challenges faced by LGBT elders, the report also provides very much needed detailed and comprehensive policy analysis and recommendations on how to best move forward to combat these problems.

The report was authored by both MAP and SAGE, in partnership with the American Society on Aging, the National Senior Citizens Law Center, and the Center for American Progress, with a foreword from AARP. The report has received coverage from CNN.com, the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, as well as other online media. With the release of the report, MAP is also creating a presence on Facebook and Twitter.