LGBT Older Persons
LGBT persons are estimated to represent between six and eight percent
of all seniors in the country, a population that is expected to grow
significantly over the next thirty years. LGBT seniors have many of the
same health concerns that are shared by all older adults. However, LGBT
seniors also have unique issues and concerns that can further complicate
their ability to achieve and maintain positive health outcomes.
LGBT older persons may face discrimination based on age as well as
sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination may lead to a social isolation and
reluctance by LGBT seniors to participate in services that are available
for all members of the aging population. Some service providers have
discriminatory attitudes and lack the ability to provide culturally competent services. Experience in dealing with decades of sexual
orientation or gender identity discrimination may prepare some LGBT seniors to be resilient
in facing age discrimination.
While LGBT seniors may have strong social networks, many are frequently
disconnected from their family of origin and are less likely to have the
type of support that other older persons have from their children and
grandchildren. While LGBT seniors may depend on their partners and friends
for support, service providers and others may not acknowledge and value
the importance of these relationships.
Research shows that LGBT seniors are:
- twice as likely to live alone as other seniors,
- half as likely to have a partner,
- four times more likely to have no children to assist them,
- fifty percent more likely to have no close relatives to call for
help when needed, and
- more likely to be at risk for health problems such as smoking,
obesity, alcohol abuse, and HIV infection.
The following selection of resources is intended to increase awareness
of health issues and disparities affecting LGBT older persons. Use the left side
navigation bar to learn more about any of the health concerns addressed
below.
All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the
benefit of the general public. The Department of Health Services does not
testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided
on externally linked pages.
Hyperlinks marked with the 
icon indicate Wisconsin resources.
GENERAL RESOURCE
LGBT Aging Resources
Clearinghouse
Description: Information and referral services for LGBT
persons ages 50+
Resource availability: Internet
National Resource Center on
LGBT Aging
Description: Information, referral, training, technical assistance
and educational resources for aging providers, LGBT organizations and LGBT
older adults.
Resource availability: Internet
Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender Elders
Description: Report from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Policy Institute
Resource availability: Internet
SAGE
Description: SAGE (Services and
Advocacy for GLBT Elders) is the country's largest and oldest
organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) older adults.
Resource availability: Internet
Senior Pride Network
Description: Toronto-based agency providing information and support
for older LGBT, intersexed and two-spirited persons
Resource availability: Internet
Ten
Things Gay Men Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Provider
Description: Guidelines for communication published by the Gay and
Lesbian Medical Association
Resource availability: Internet
Ten
Things Lesbians Should discuss with Their Healthcare Provider
Description: Guidelines for communication published by the Gay and
Lesbian Medical Association
Resource availability: Internet
Transgender Aging
Network (TAN)
Description: Information and support for current and future
trans/SOFFA (significant others, friends, family and allies) elders.
Resource availability: Internet
Valued Families
Description: Social networking and education opportunities for LGBT
parents
Resource
availability: Fox River area of Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Elder Readiness Project: A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexualal
and Transgender Lens
Description: Cream City Foundation 2011 report on the readiness
of service providers to address the service needs of LGBT seniors.
Resource availability: Internet
See all General Resources
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Alcohol abuse, addiction, and treatment
Description: Wisconsin DHS
website on alcohol abuse, addiction, and treatment, including links to
other resources
Resource availability: Internet
Alcohol addiction
Description: Symptoms of alcohol addiction and
statistics about alcohol use among LGBT people published by the Pride
Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, Internet
Drug abuse
Description: Symptoms of drug abuse and statistics about
drug use among LGBT people published by the Pride Institute
Resource
availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Pride Institute
Description: LGBT drug and alcohol addiction treatment center
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale,
Florida
CANCER
Cancer facts for gay and bisexual men
Description: Information on risk,
prevention, and detection of lung, skin, prostate, colon, anal, and
testicular cancers among gay and bisexual men; published by the American
Cancer Society
Resource availability: Internet
Cancer facts for lesbian and bisexual women
Description: Information on
risk, prevention, and detection of lung, skin, colon, breast, and
gynecological cancers among lesbian and bisexual women; published by the
American Cancer Society
Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Cancer Network
Description: Information on population
specific cancer risks, optional electronic screening reminder
Resource
availability: Internet
Promoting Cervical Cancer Screening Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women
Description: Policy paper from the Fenway Institute addressing
the importance of cervical cancer screening for lesbian and bisexual
women.
Resource availability: Internet
HIV/AIDS
AIDS Network
Description: Legal, life care, prevention, and support group
information for people living with AIDS
Resource availability: South Central Wisconsin
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
Description: Medical center, social
services, and prevention programs
Resource availability: Wisconsin
Wisconsin HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Information and Referral Center
Description: Fact sheets, testing referrals, and external links
Resource
availability: Internet
MENTAL HEALTH
Anxiety disorders in LGBT populations
Description: Information on
anxiety disorders in LGBT populations published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
and internet
Depression in LGBT populations
Description: Information on depression
in LGBT populations published by the Pride Institute
Resource
availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and
Internet
National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Description: A 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention
hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Resource availability: Internet and toll-free hotline:
1-800-273-TALK [8255]
SEXUAL HEALTH
General STD information
Description: The CDC's webpage about STDs,
including a testing site locator, statistics, and treatment guidelines
Resource availability: Internet
Wisconsin HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Information and Referral Center
Description: Information and service finder for STD diagnosis and
treatment
Resource availability: Wisconsin
TOBACCO
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Tips from Former Smokers
Description: Real stories of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
people who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities.
Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Tobacco Control Network
Description: Quit strategies and
resources, outreach information, statistics, and scientific literature
Resource availability: Internet
VIOLENCE/SAFETY
AARDVARC (An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource
Collection)
Description: Information on domestic violence, stalking, and
sexual assault, including state laws and how to recognize and react to
abuse and locate resources
Availability: Internet
Anti-Violence
Project - Milwaukee
Description: Advocacy services for LGBT victims and survivors of
violence; education of service providers and LGBT community members
regarding safety, violence, and violence prevention.
Availability: Milwaukee
National Coalition of Anti-Violence
Programs
Description: Advocacy for victims of anti-LGBT and anti-HIV/AIDS
violence/harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, police misconduct
and other forms of victimization.
Availability: Internet
Northwest Network
Description: LGBT information and support regarding abuse and
violence (based in Seattle, WA)
Resource availability: Internet
StopBullying.gov
Description: Information from various government agencies on how
kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community
can prevent or stop bullying.
Resource availability: Internet
Last Revised: May 09, 2013 |
