L.G.B.T Issues

Older Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals and

Transgender People (OLGBT): Housing and Care

A Local, National and International Perspective

Simon O’Corra, Diverse Identities

October 2003

"I feel impassioned about the idea of spending my last vulnerable days/

month/years with people who understand my sexual orientation and the

issues that present themselves around being a lesbian. Being an able

bodied adult in a predominantly heterosexual world is (for me) manageable

because I have abilities to search out likeminded individuals and groups,

but the thought of being old, frail and unable to reach out and network in

the same way, and then being isolated in a home or what ever, where I am

the only lesbian, ... well that thought terrifies me actually!"

(VM, respondent)

Introduction

This paper discusses some of the most important issues faced by the OLGBT community in terms of housing and care. First I shall explore a possible definition of the term ‘older’ as it pertains to the OLBGT community and talk briefly about how it may differ in the mainstream heterosexual community and why. I will then discuss probably the most important subject for potential service providers to the OLGBT community: numbers or statistics. Having explained the specific nature of the ‘older’ label to this group about which I am talking and the numbers of LGBT people in the UK, I will move onto an overview of the community itself. I will describe a) its history b) the current climate that both LGBT people and service providers are operating in and c) the discrimination that the community and individuals within it experience. Differences within the LGBT community will be discussed along with issues faced by OLBGT people and suitable environments that may meet their needs. Finally I will look at celebrating the LGBT community, OLGBT recognition in the UK and current initiatives that support OLBGT people. My conclusion will draw together the strands of this paper and discuss in broad terms the current position of housing and care services in the UK and also look to the future. The appendix gives details of older LGBT support services and LGBT retirement housing and care providers around the world. There have been few studies undertaken which look into the housing and care needs of OLGBT in the UK. However, there has been a recent and major national research project, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Lives over 50, by Brian Heaphy, Andrew Yip and Debbie Thompson at the Nottingham Trent University, 2003. This along with an OLGBT housing and care needs research project in Brighton that I have recently undertaken have been crucial to the process of writing this paper.

Definition of ‘Older ‘

What do we mean by ‘older’?

Age Concern, England supports all people over 50 in the UK, ensuring that they get the most out of life. It provides essential services such as day care and information. We campaign on issues like age discrimination and pensions, and work to influence public opinion and government policy about older people. (Age Concern, England’s website).

However, the above mentioned age range may be insufficient to meet the needs of individuals in the LGBT community.

"The last time I went (to a local group), 85% of the people were like 43

years old and I know that in the gay world 43 is really, really old. I’ll be 60

pretty soon. To me, 43 is childhood." (T. Patrick Toal, MSW 2003).

Particularly in the world of gay men the culture is extremely youth-orientated, so it is possible to both feel and be perceived as old at a surprisingly early age. Some social establishments prevent entry to men over a certain age and it is difficult to find ordinary pubs and clubs that cater for the older gay man, which is undoubtedly a factor in isolation and social exclusion. Therefore we need to look at the issue of ageing as it pertains particularly to LGBT people; this includes in the fields of housing and care. Some responses from individuals aged 31-50 (a comparative sample) in the Brighton research project indicate a desire for some sort of LGBT sheltered environment. This unusually early age at which to request a sheltered environment is often in response to a feeling of isolation. Alcoholism, HIV, disability, homophobic harassment and a multitude of other issues can exacerbate this feeling. Another major factor to consider is the ageism inherent in the LGBT community, particularly the gay male culture.

However, many men (and notably fewer women) indicated that being gay

had made them more conscious of the ageing process (see also Kimmel

and Sang 1995; Berger 1996; Pugh 2002). In doing so, they were mostly

referring to the consequences of excessively youth-orientated non-heterosexual

media and commercial scenes (i.e. bars and clubs). This

points to significant gender differences in the meanings lesbians and gay

men attach to ageing. (Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Lives over 50, Brian

Heaphy, Andrew Yip and Debbie Thompson. The Nottingham Trent University, 2003)

Statistics

What is the demographic of the LGBT community in the UK?

The size of the LGBT community is a crucial factor for providers who may be considering the establishment of a discrete OLGBT housing and care service. There are about 9 million (1/5th of the overall population) people over 65 in the UK, 1 in 4 (2.25 million) of these will need long-term care in their lifetime. 1 in 5 people (1.8 million) over 80 suffer from senile dementia and 1 in 3 people (3 million) over 85 live in hospitals or nursing homes (Scottish Amicable European).

Using the lowest average of 5% as the estimated proportion of LGBT people in the country, the OLGBT community numbers some 450,000. For instance the LGBT community in Brighton, Southern England, which may be the first place in the country to have a specific OLGBT care complex, makes up 15-20% (35,000) of the population which could mean that OLGBTs number could total 1/5th of that figure or (7,000). It is easy to see what the figures for the long-term care need, senile dementia and residency in hospitals and nursing homes of OLGBT people in Brighton could be. Brighton like other cities has a large LGBT population that has moved there where their needs can be better catered for.

In terms of dementia it is estimated that 700,000 people in the UK have dementia which means that it is likely that 35,000 older LGBT people are affected by dementia. (Alzheimer’s Society)

Where then are these OLBGT people? There is currently no provision specific to them in this country so they must be either in mainstream older people’s services or at home with primary carers. Either way no one is yet declaring the fact that they provide discrete LGBT services within their mainstream establishments which could excuse the assumption that very few such places are meeting all the needs of their OLGBT service users.

History

What is the historical context for the LGBT community?

In modern times the lives of LGBT people have been affected by three major Acts of Parliament over the last 120 years.

The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 that criminalised acts between men.

The Sexual Offences Act 1967, which decriminalised acts between consenting gay adults in private Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 that prevented the promotion of homosexuality and LGBT issues in schools.

The latter section has recently been repealed, a further sign of recognition for LGBT people. Throughout those 120 years there have been brave innovators, some of whom from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s may now be of an age to need services.

Of course, lesbians, and to an extent bisexuals, have until recently been a hidden and ignored group, suffering from both a societal attitude of denial and as a result little attention from lawmakers. By contrast transgender people have had a great deal of visibility and a great deal of wrangling over appropriate legal frameworks.

Over the years there have been riots, Pride marches, the establishment of major organisations devoted to seeking equality for LGBT people and in more recent times positive initiatives for change. Housing and care is not a new issue for OLGBT people.

For the last thirty years at least those people, too numerous to mention here, who have steadfastly fought for recognition and rights have had the needs of OLGBT people on their agenda. The current and positive developments in LGBT issues are a culmination of all those years of struggle for recognition and for OLGBT people that recognition is even more important today.

Current Climate

What impact does the LGBT community have on the development of housing and care services for OLGBT people?

Let us first take the case of a younger healthy heterosexual (aged 40-50). They are less likely to be isolated and without family connections due to their membership of the dominant culture, i.e. heterosexual, which affords them a greater degree of support. They clearly do not have to seek out a retirement or sheltered place amongst like-minded people until much later in their lives, if they remain healthy. By contrast OLGBT people may face a variety of issues that make support by the dominant culture uncertain.

Social Policy and Citizenship

A key finding of the research is the complexity of social exclusion as it applies to older non-heterosexual lives. Dynamics of exclusion in overlapping spheres (relational, community, institutional, legal) can produce a profound sense of invalidation, and are not accounted for in contemporary policy (and political) discourses on ‘social exclusion’.

Participants broadly shared the view that non-heterosexuals are discriminated against in society (71%). Age often accentuates ’that you haven’t got the same right(s). Many participants recounted their own ‘exclusion’ from what they believed should be automatic rights (regarding tenancies; pensions and survivor entitlements; next of kin issues; inheritance). As such, policies often reinforced a feeling of ‘second class citizenship, even if 61% did feel that society was becoming more equal in terms of sexual difference. Importantly, only 19% believed there was an increasing equality where age was concerned – implying a belief that one’s citizenship is significantly compromised by age. (Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Lives over 50, Brian Heaphy, Andrew Yip and Debbie Thompson. The Nottingham Trent University, 2003).

The research mentioned above looks at a variety of issues. These issues include Non-heterosexual explorations in ageing, Life circumstances (Financial Security, Domestic Circumstances, Partnerships, Family and Friendships, Care and Support, Community Belongings and Supports) and Policy and Practice. This report supports the dichotomy between older heterosexual and LGBT people mentioned earlier.

Diagram 1 – Key Findings - a summary by Sally Middleton, Opening Doors, Gloucester, August 2003)

A comparable study to that undertaken by Nottingham Trent University has occurred in the US, The Santa Monica CA Demographic Study/Market Analysis September 2002 by RainbowVision Properties, Inc. Santa Fe, NM - Gerontological Services, Inc. and has shown that the age demography in relation to expressed need for retirement, nursing and care facilities for OLGBT people is much wider than the mainstream. This same OLGBT housing organisation has people from age 40 to 91 on their waiting list. Other organisations around the world, (SEE APPENDIX), show similar age groupings. A reason for and impact of this disparity of age demography is that, to quote Joy Silver of Rainbow Visions, "We are doing it for ourselves". Judging by both the research mentioned above and the burgeoning OLGBT retirement market it is clear that OLGBT people of the same age as the heterosexual age group (40-50) have a greater need for a pro-active approach to sustain their lifestyles, a sense of security and inclusivity in the community at large.

Discrimination

How do people and organisations discriminate against LGBT people and how does the LGBT community respond to such discrimination?

The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay Men, Bisexual and Transgender) community is composed of a disparate group of minorities within society that share a commonality in being discriminated against by the dominant heterosexual culture because of their sexual orientation or gender alignment. Such discrimination against LGBT people can be driven by a fear of ‘difference’, a lack of understanding about ‘distinctive qualities’ or even, ironically, a recognition by the dominant culture of an LGBT ‘ethnicity’.

Ethnic: – sharing or classed according to factors e.g. culture, language,race or something held in common

(The Penguin English Dictionary, 2002)

"Being gay is an ethnicity"

(Joy Silver, Rainbow Vision)

These driving forces have underpinned society’s prejudicial views until very recently. For too long LGBT people have been marginalised at best and at worst oppressed, humiliated and even killed for who they were, and it still goes on. However, the LGBT community, including its older members now, has an ever-growing powerful and recognised voice. It is beginning to be generally accepted that people from the LGBT community have a right to expect to be welcomed, acknowledged and supported. Part of this process of recognition is the LGBT community’s development of its own positive and celebratory ‘queer theory and politics’.

Queer theorists attend carefully to what characters want and do. This

model tends toward coalition politics. It is sceptical of viewing some

identities as authentic and others (say, leathermen, bisexuals, or butch

lesbians) as lacking, inauthentic, deviant, or compromised. (Warren

Hedges, South Oregon University, 1997)

That is inclusive of all sections of the LGBT community. There is still a need for a rigorous approach to including LGBT issues in discourses on ‘social exclusion’.

The homosexual appropriation of the word ‘queer’ from homophobic

discourse signals a change in usage. It is not simply an eccentric word for

a suspicious individual, but its reappropriation implies that it transforms

bigoted language into a statement of defiance, and we may even read it as a

less gendered alternative.

(Aimless Snippets, G. Wood 1994)

This ‘queer theory’ is vital in order to guarantee that all sections of the LGBT community are referred to and included.

Differences between groups within the LGBT community.

What tensions in the LGBT community do providers need to be aware of?

There are some obvious divergences to be recognised when working with the LGBT community, although research needs to be done to further qualify them. Many LGBT organisations I have worked with continue to work with these tensions whilst maintaining a solidarity as a generic grouping.

Lesbian- gay relations.

In the case of the lesbian community the problematic issue of gender has existed between them and the gay male community from at least the early 1970s when a gender split occurred within the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. It is still possible to witness this split in relations between these two groups. Many gay men are part of the dominant male culture in our society i.e. white, male, middle class. Therefore gay men can at times be perceived and in some cases experienced by lesbians as part of the oppressive patriarchal culture and as a result some lesbians can complain of experiences of oppression and sexism from gay men. Alternatively and often as a counter to this assertion older gay men can be misogynistic towards lesbians.

Bisexuals.

In discussions with a bisexual woman she had this to say "I think a word (bisexual) should be defined less by its dictionary descriptions, and more by the balance of ambient feelings that prevail at the time you feel that you have understood its meaning. Thus it may have nothing to do with received wisdom, and its edges may be blurred to the point of your average concrete thinker". There is an assumption sometimes expressed by lesbians and gay men that bisexuals are simply polygamous or ‘swingers’ and this can lead to confusion and anxiety. This of course can be true for a minority of bisexuals, but going back to queer theory: who are we to judge?. An example of this, is that of a lesbian respondent to a recent research project who said that "Well, bisexuals are half straight aren’t they? Will they still be welcome in an LGBT care complex if they are choosing to express their ‘straight’ or heterosexual side?"

Transgender people

There is a move in the transgender movement to pull away from alignment with LGB people as transgender people are afforded their own employment rights under changes to the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) regulations 1999 and other legislation may give them major concession. Transgender people have often evoked a confused response from many lesbians, gay men and bisexuals who often feel that their issues are more concerned with gender alignment than sexual orientation, although LGB sexual orientation can be an issue for some transgender people too. However, it is true to say that they do have a place in ‘queer’ politics as a point of difference from the dominant culture.

LGBT people ‘in the closet’

There may be a significant number of people in the UK who are not open about their sexual orientation especially those in the older LBGT community. These people are difficult to find for the purposes of research, despite giving a guarantee of confidentiality to them, and even more so if one is seeking to provide a service for them.

These tensions along with a host of others within the LGBT community will have an impact on the planning undertaken by any service provider considering establishing a generic LGBT care complex.

Issues faced by the older LGBT community and the needs that follow from them.

What do providers need to know about the needs of the LGBT community?

The different way in which OLGBT people have chosen and continue to choose to lead their lives.

Many participants demonstrated the creativity that several studies have

argued is central to lesbian and gay experience (e.g. Blasius 1994; Dunne

1997; Weeks 1995; Weeks et al 2001). One outstanding example of this is

the ways many participants formed and maintain strong non-heterosexual

identities despite the social and legal sanctions with which most grew up. .

(Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Lives over 50, Brian Heaphy, Andrew Yip and Debbie Thompson. The Nottingham Trent University, 2003)

and the differing expectations that OLGBT people can therefore have, mean that any OLGBT care complex will need to appeal initially and often solely to the service users and not family carers, as is often the case with mainstream services. This proactive approach on the part of the OLGBT person, which is witnessed in the US study mentioned earlier will, if met, herald a revolution in the provision of care to not only OLGBT people but to older people in mainstream establishments.

The baby boomers who are likely to be the next generation of service users

will not accept the existing services that they see in place now, services will

need to adapt to accommodate this change in expectation.

(Joy Silver,Rainbow Vision)

It is recognised that within the UK culture and in older people’s services, sex and its expression is at best assumed not to be relevant to older people and at worst a taboo that dare not speak its name.

The sexual desire and expression of older people is often neglected. Such

attitudes leave elderly people feeling marginalised and mean their needs are

often ignored. "Our task is to make sure that older people are seen in all

their diversity and not diminished by the narrow and harmful stereotypes

which persist in our society. This has implications for us all, whatever our age."

(Mary Gilhooley, President, British Society of Gerontology’s Annual General Meeting, Birmingham 2003)

This is changing and OLGBT people are leading the way in asking for a different kind of service that recognises not only their LGBT culture but their need for a sexual life. LGBT people spend a lot of their lives finding themselves and inventing a way of life that enables them to express the totality of who they are whilst ensuring their basic human needs.

However, viewed from the perspective of our participants it is not only

validation as sexual citizens that is at stake, but also how life choices,

identities and ways of living can be invalidated with age – and particularly old age.

(Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Lives over 50, Brian Heaphy, Andrew Yip and Debbie Thompson. The Nottingham Trent University, 2003)

When LGBT people become older and particularly if they need sheltered, residential or nursing care they may have to go back into the closet (hide their sexual orientation and LGBT ethnicity) and even re-invent themselves. This may take the form of a) playing the part of a heterosexual or asexual being b) denying all the component parts of their LGBT ethnicity not just their sexual expression c) denying their own desire for and means of sexual expression. The latter is something that happens to non-OLGBT people as well.

This is a situation that at present is made worse for OLGBT people because of the lack of specific LGBT appropriate provision available. OLGBT service providers need to consider ways in which to support individuals to remain ‘out’ or open about their sexual orientation and in some cases they may need to develop strategies to identify those people who choose to remain in the ‘closet’. Entry into a full ‘out’ LGBT care complex for those perhaps in ‘the closet’ or not open about their sexual orientation would mean a kind of ‘coming out’ and ‘publicly identifying with a group that they may never have identified with before’. This may be terrifying to them and as a result they may remain hidden unless a discreet care complex or even better an LGBT outreach service is available.

I am on the board of directors of our county organisation for seniors. I

work with and meet many sexual minorities within the senior populations,

but many would not speak to me if I were "totally out." Everyone on staff at

our Council on Aging knows that I am gay, but many of the seniors I work

with are VERY religious. They know I am gay and I don't hide it, but I

also don't bring the subject up unless asked. For some odd reason there is

a difference in assuming one is gay and publicly admitting one is gay.

The LGBT seniors I work with say that if I were ‘more out’ than they would

not feel comfortable talking/working with me privately. They are not out

and would consider it-----"guilt by association." Once you earn their trust,

NEVER give their names out to anyone.

(T. Patrick Toal, MSW).

How do provider organisations make an OLGBT complex work for all sections of the OLGBT community?

Clearly organisations need to open a dialogue with service users and the staff and from there in focus and steering groups to come up with concrete and achievable aim and objectives to make services better.

Suitable environments.

Where to live as an OLGBT person at home or in a mixed mainstream place or in an LGBT environment?

Results from the Brighton research project reveal a significant number of people who, like heterosexual older people, want to continue live in their own homes for as long as possible.

Our homes are often a direct expression of ourselves and it is natural to wish to hold onto a part of our identity, perhaps even more so for people from the LGBT community who may face discrimination in the outside world but find refuge in their own home. However, many people who want to stay at home would like to be supported in an LGBT friendly way. This does not discount the OLGBT person from buying or leasing their own home in an OLGBT retirement resort or complex if they so wish and as such creating another home environment that could equally give them peace of mind for the future.

Once again in the research mentioned above a fear of ‘ghetto-isation’ has been expressed but in many cases when you look at the lifestyle of a person and compare it to what they say they want it can show merely a different level of existing separateness. This separateness runs along a continuum from being ‘out in mainstream culture’ at one end to the final "LGBT resting place". It seems the real issue is the degree of control of one’s own ghetto-isation. This can be seen in the development of retirement resorts and villages in theUS.

What needs do you have as an OLGBT person?

It is, at the moment, safe to assume that most OLGBT people will still be housed in mainstream organisations. This being the case it is vital that mainstream providers develop ways to sensitise their organisations and their staff teams to the issues faced by OLGBT people and from there monitor and evaluate effective OLGBT appropriate services. OLGBT people have, in the main, quite similar needs to their heterosexual brothers and sisters when it comes to the care that they require. In the Nottingham Trent University research project the issues most lacking from service providers were ones of attitude, understanding, sensitivity and this coupled with a lack of equality in rights based legislation evokes a profound sense of invalidation that is exacerbated by ageing. A non-judgemental approach is often what is lacking and homophobia and a fixed idea about what LGBT people are like and what they want often compound this. Just as in mainstream services, if we listen to the individual and/or carer where appropriate, who after all knows best what they want, there need be no difficulty.

Celebrating LGBT people

How do LGBT people celebrate their culture?

Beyond discrimination, what transforms the LGBT community into one bound together is the ‘LGBT culture’, a sort of ambient feeling of family in its broadest sense, in the same way that there is a ‘heterosexual culture’. All is known and understood if you are in the grouping.

Are there distinct homosexual cultures? Is there a recognisable

homosexual aesthetic? There is no point in debating the fact that,

historically, a significant number of artists have been and continue to be

homosexual. Prior to the increased visibility of homosexuals in the last two

decades of this century, sexual orientation was considered inconsequential

to cultural development or aesthetic experience.

(The lives of Richmond Barthe by Margaret Rose Vendryes in The Greatest Taboo, Edited by Delroy Constantine-Simms2000)

Examples of expressions of the ‘LGBT culture’ like the one mentioned above, are manifold and cross over between and include lesbian, bisexual and transgender codes also. Such codes are naturally subject to different definitions and language too numerous to go into here and yet they still have a clear connection to LGBT culture for LGBT people. It is this ‘knowing’ shorthand or ‘code’ accessible to LGBT people around the world, which constitutes another aspect of LGBT culture and makes it possible for individuals to celebrate and partake of the ‘family’.

What do service providers need to do to better understand and celebrate the LGBT culture?

As mentioned before there is a wealth of literature pertaining to LGBT issues available. In the UK Chrysalis, the major LGBT awareness trainers can provide LGBT awareness training to older people’s housing and care providers and in the US two organisations have developed Older LGBT training for care providers.

Older LGBT recognition

How are OLGBT people being recognised?

The offer and provision of OLGBT services are a tangible recognition not just of the needs of OLGBT people but of the importance of LGBT culture. Simply being asked the questions can mean a lot to an OLGBT person. Some legislation, guidelines and initiatives in UK that positively affect the lives of LGBT including OLGBT people are:

The equalising of the age of consent for gay men in 2001
The new equal employment rights for LGBT people brought about by the Employment Act 2002 and further coming into effect in December 2003.
The Human Rights Act 1998 ‘gives protection against discrimination not ‘objectivelyjustified’
The Crown Prosecution Service Anti-homophobic harassment guidelines (2003)? that make homophobic harassment an aggravated offence, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of seven years
The greater acceptance of LGBT people as foster carers and adoptive parents in some areas.
The possibility of transfer rights of tenancy being conferred on same-sex partners in the event of the death of the named tenant, as witnessed in a landmark case in the Court ofAppeal (Ghaiden versus Mendoza):

BUXTON LJ (Lord Justice):

This court bears the burden of having to construe the Convention as a

living instrument. It has to ask itself… whether discrimination on grounds

of sexual orientation is excluded from the protection of article 14. Looking

at that question in 2002 it seems to me that there can only be one answer.

Sexual orientation is now clearly recognised as an impermissible ground of

discrimination, on the same level as the examples, which is all that they are,

specifically set out in the text of article 14.

KEENE LJ (Lord Justice)

Where discrimination against a minority is concerned, amounting on the

face of it to a breach of article 14 rights, the courts are entitled to require to

be satisfied that a proper and rational justification for the difference in

treatment has been made out. It is, as Buxton LJ has emphasised, a matter

involving rights of high constitutional importance where the courts are

equipped to arrive at a judgment. It is indeed a classic role of the courts to

be concerned with the protection of such minority rights. That being so,

this court is entitled to ask whether there is any rational and proportionate

basis for the distinction. For my part, I am not satisfied that any such basis

has been established.

(Ghaidan v Mendoza (2003) in the Court of Appeal

(all 3 judges agreed that the gay survivor should be able to succeed to the tenancy)

The prospect of pension rights and civil partnerships;
A national initiative by Age Concern National "Open Doors" to raise awareness about the needs of OLGBT which in turn has fostered a series of local Age Concern initiatives;
The development of a LGBT Tenants Forum by Notting Hill Housing Trust;
An upsurge in LGBT voluntary sector developments around the UK.

Initiatives to support older LGBT people

What is available to OLGBT people locally, nationally and internationally? (SEEAPPENDIX FOR DETAILS)

Locally -

As mentioned previously there are no specifically OLGBT housing and care services in the UK. However, Brighton has a well-developed LGBT and OLGBT sector and an LGBT shopping, bar and residential area around St James’s Street in Kemp Town. Below are some of the services available:

OLGMF (Older Lesbians’ and Gay mens’ Forum) Social Group and Home Help and visiting scheme for older lesbians and gay men.
Lesbian Link – support and social group.
Lesbian and Gay Advocacy Project – Advocacy and information service for lesbians and gay men with mental health problems.
Anti-Victimisation Unit – Liaison Officer, who is a civilian member of a specialist police unit dealing with homophobic, racist and domestic violence.
Brighton - Our Story Project – Oral history project.
Lesbian and Gay Alcoholics Anonymous.
LGBT Narcotics Anonymous.
Spectrum – LGBT Community and Training Organisation.
GLAM – Arts and media project.

Nationally -

There are now many initiatives aimed at the LGBT and OLGBT community in place and coming on stream. The advantage of this upsurge in support for OLGBT issues being led by Age Concern National is that the organisation has a local branch system that allows each local branch to respond to local need and develop its own strategies to address those needs. Below are some of the initiatives, both within and outside Age Concern, already in place:

In 2001 Age Concern came out in favour of Old Gay and Lesbian people having the right to their own separate care homes and sheltered apartments.
Age Concern National has produced a paper entitled ‘Planning for later life as a lesbian, gay man, bisexual or transgender person (Ref. LC/8).
Age Concern, Newcastle have a help line for older LGBT people
Age Concern, Enfield recently had a pilot gay men’s support/lobbying group project
Age Concern, Berkshire is hosting regular network meetings and is hosting a one day conference on LGBT ageing in October 2003
Polari, is facilitating projects on social care and housing for older LGBT people in three London boroughs.
The Alzheimer’s Society have a telephone help line and a support group for gay men and lesbians caring for someone with dementia and they have become the first national charity working with older people to appoint a specific LGBT development worker.

Internationally -

Most of the current or planned projects worldwide are in the private sector and seem to cater for those individuals aged 40+ who can afford to buy into a retirement resort or village. A notable exception is a recent development in the City of Los Angeles. The city is set to open America’s first subsidised housing estate for OLGBT people. At a cost of $18 million, the project will be subsidised to help provide homes for those at the lower end of the income scale or who are otherwise disadvantaged. Finally, it seems that the myth about all OLGBT people being wealthy is being exploded. In Western Australia there is no dedicated LGBT care or retirement services – however the passage of equality legislation means that the State housing group, Homeswest, provides housing to LGBT people, but not in a separatist service. It has been suggested within the community that the State might look at funding and/or providing a dedicated LGBT centre and retirement village for seniors, but it hasn't really been taken up yet. The demographic of "out" LGBT folks is still younger.

Conclusion

Where does the OLGBT community stand now?

Much of what I have talked about in this paper has centred on initiatives outside of the UK. This is because the recognition of need for and provision of services for OLGBT people is in its infancy in this country. It is worth saying that this is now changing with the bravery of a not insignificant number of organisations and individuals dedicating themselves to raising the profile of OLGBT issues. This is why ‘celebrating diversity’ is so important along with adequate legislation and the provision of a service suited to the needs of the individual based on recognition of the rights of all ethnic groups.

What of the future for OLGBT people?

The LGBT community has come a long way in the last thirty years and there is every indication that things will continue to change and develop positively.

OLGBT people are being consulted about their needs more and more regularly and as this is the crucial potential service user group that is the best place to start. I close this paper with a couple of quotes from respondents to the Brighton project which may lead to the setting up of an OLGBT care complex there.

I want security, contentment, empathetic care, person centred care.

(Gay male respondent)

Gay people have a right to be collectively looked after by gay and/or gay

friendly staff.

(Gay male respondent)

Appendix

Gay Retirement Communities/Homes

A number of studies in the Europe and the US amongst mainstream retirement communities have shown that they are unaware or disinterested in the sexuality of their residents and most deny having LGBT people living in them. Thankfully that situation is changing and a number of communities are in existence and development that cater for mature LGBT people. So no longer will elderly LGBT people have to slam the closet door shut behind them just because they need assisted care.

Local, National and International Organisations

BRIGHTON

OLGMF (Older Lesbians’ and Gay mens’ Forum

57 Ditching Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4SD

01273 625963

E-mail: HYPERLINK mailto:info@olgmf.org info@olgmf.org

Website: HYPERLINK http://www.olgmf.org www.olgmf.org

Lesbian and Gay Advocacy Project

01273 739847

Anti-Victimisation Unit

01273 665 800

Brighton Our Story Project

01273 207757 or 328592

Lesbian and Gay Alcoholics Anonymous

01273 203343 (General AA line)

LGBT Narcotics Anonymous

NA Helpline 01273 604604

Spectrum – LGBT Community Forum6 Bartholomews Brighton BN1 1HG

Telephone 01273 723123

Email: HYPERLINK mailto:dana@spectrum-lgbt.org dana@spectrum-lgbt.org

Website: HYPERLINK http://www.spectrum-lgbt.org www.spectrum-lgbt.org

GLAM – Arts and media project

01273 707963

Brighton Lesbian and Gay Switchboard - +44 (0) 1273 204050

Confidential information and support line. Also run a low-cost counselling service with

lesbian and gay counsellors and relaxed group for lesbian and gay teenagers. The

telephones are operated every night 5pm-11pm

http://www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton

Brighton Body Positive - +44 (0) 1273 693266

12a, Circus Street Self-help group for PWA and carers

Complimentary therapies/support/Sunday lunches.

Brightwaves MCC - +44 (0) 1273 602434

Run by a lesbian vicar, the Metropolitan Community Church in St James' St. caters

mainly for the GLBT community and aims to allow them to express their spirituality/

Christianity openly and without fear of judgement. .

Brightwaves MCC Brighton, St Mary's Church Hall, St James' Street, Brighton.

Tel: 01903 602434, Email: Debbie@BrightwavesMCCBrighton.co.uk,

www.BrightwavesMCCBrighton.co.uk

Open Door -+44 (0) 1273 605706

35 Camelford Street Drop in for people affected by AIDS and HIV. Mon-Fri 10am - 4pm

Outlet Accommodation - +44 (0) 20 7287 4244

The Accommodation Outlet, 32 Old Compton Street, Soho, London. W1D 4TP.

They specialise in housing for the gay community and cover Brighton and the rest of East

Sussex. www.outlet4homes.com/southeast.

4-Sale & 2-Let

Estate Agents with a personal touch!

4-Sale - 48 George Street, Brighton, BN2 1RJ

Tel: +44 (0) 1273 692424

Fax: +44 (0) 1273 684144

Email: 4sale@sale4.fsbusiness.co.uk

www.4salehome.co.uk

2-Let - 111 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1DD

Tel: +44 (0) 1273-22-01-44

Fax: +44 (0) 1273-20-84-40

Street Outreach Services - +44 (0) 1273 625577

Globe House, 3, Morley Street This is a health authority funded outreach service offering HIV/AIDS information, support, and counselling to anyone. Free condoms, dental dams, lube, latex gloves etc.

The Sussex Beacon

A Continuing Care Centre for people with HIV/AIDS related illness

HYPERLINK http://www.sussexbeacon.org.uk www.sussexbeacon.org.uk

Brighton Linkup

Started in May 1998 as an alternative group for people, who do not like the general gay

scene, Brighton Linkup is a Social Group for Gay men in and around the Brighton area.

http://www3.mistral.co.uk/rileysmith/

Sussex Police - +44 (0) 1273 665502 Mb. 07799 347114

Sandra Dempster, Liaison Officer to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender

Community, Anti Victimisation Unit, Brighton and Hove Police.

Terrence Higgins Trust

The Terrence Higgins Trust has merged with four regional HIV and AIDS charities in England. http://www.tht.org.uk/top

Kenric

1st Thursday, Regency tavern, 8pm, Social group for all ages.

Women's Refuge - +44 (0) 1273 622822

For women suffering from domestic violence

PO BOX 889, BN1 4DP

Pink Parenting Group

Support for lesbian mothers

Contact Emma: 01273 563198

Brighton Womens Centre - +44 (0) 1273 749567

Brighton Womens Centre is between properties at the moment but is still operating

from the basement of the Brighthelm Centre on North Road (off Queens Rd) The opening times are: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Friday 10.30 -3.30

Offers support and advice for women whatever their sexual orientation. Provides free safer sex packs for lesbians.

http://www.btnwomen.u-net.com/

Threshold - +44 (0) 1273 626444

Women & Mental Health Initiative - Threshold is a voluntary organisation based in Brighton. They aim to identify the specific mental health needs of women and to facilitate a realistic response to these needs with services that include a community based drop in service, counselling and therapy, information and training.

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~thrwomen

Survivors Network - +44 (0) 1273 566 555

Women's help group for those abused as children.

PO BOX 188, Brighton, BN1 7JN

The phone lines are open: 7pm - 9.30pm

Lesbian Link - 44 (0) 1273 234005

This is also the number for the Brighton Lesbian and Gay Community Centre, which is the contact, point for lesbian link. Lesbian Link is a social network of approx. 100 lesbianswho get together on a regular basis.There is a Lesbian Link newsletter for more info call 01273 234005.

Brighton & Hove Disabled Dykes Club - +44 (0) 1273 20 40 50

Group for disabled dykes, their partners, friends and supporters.

Brighton Rape Crisis - +44 (0) 1273 203773

PO BOX 323, BN2 2TY

Helpline: Mondays and Wednesdays between 6pm and 9pm, Fridays 9.30am to 12.30pm

Disabled lesbians - GEMMA

Gemma is a self-help group of friends who understand the physical difficulties for disabled lesbians, who wish to contact local gay groups and events. Not a counselling of dating agency but through befriending and pen pals can assist contact with others.

Age Concern England

Astral House,

1268 London Road

London

SW16 4ER

Telephone 020 8765 7200

Fax 020 8765 7211

Website: www.ageconcern.org.uk

Email: HYPERLINK mailto:ace@ace.org.uk ace@ace.org.uk

The Alzheimer’s Society

Telephone Support Service for gay men and lesbians caring for someone with dementia

Telephone Roger 01842 220932, Bruce 01865 847471,

Arthur 01273 628047 and Sally 020 8675 0660

The Consortium of lesbian, gay and bisexual community organisations

2 Plough Yard

Shoreditch High Street

London

EC2A 3LP

0207422 8611

Fax 0207 426 0051

E-mail: HYPERLINK mailto:admin@clgb.org.uk admin@clgb.org.uk

Website: HYPERLINK http://www.lgbconsortium.org.uk www.lgbconsortium.org.uk

Chrysalis (LGBT Awareness Training)

HYPERLINK mailto:Chrysalis03@yahoo.co.uk Chrysalis03@yahoo.co.uk

Gay Homes in Retirement

5 Coopers Court

Folly Island

Hertford

Herts

SG14 1UB UK

Tel: +44 (0)1992 421000

Fax: +44 (0)1992 421009

E-mail: clients@holdings.co.uk

John & Mike of Gay Homes in Retirement have been researching the options available to live open and free lives in later years. The results show that there are no housing or permanent welfare facilities anywhere in the UK geared to the needs of older lesbians or gay men. Initially we are conducting a survey to establish the need for specialised retirement housing for the lesbian and gay community, and what form it should take.

Polari

2 Plough Yard

Shoreditch High Street

London

EC2A 3LP

020 7422 8649

E-Mail: info-polari@madasafish.com

USA

Carefree Cove (USA)

Boone, N.C.

Tel: 941/731-3208.

Email cg@resortoncb.com

A mountain retirement community for gays that is currently under development near Boone, N.C1 set in 65 acres of wooded land in the North Carolina mountains.90 lots will be sold on 165 acres of the property. The remaining 65 acres will be set aside for recreation like fishing or hiking. A 3,400-square-foot lodge is planned as the center of the community. The lodge will have a fireplace, indoor pool, hot tubs and meeting space.

Gay and Lesbian Retirement

1423 Main Street Little Rock, AR 72202

Tel: 1-866-674-5266

Fax: (501) 421-3140

Email: input@galretirement.com

The goal of GAL Retirement is to offer an aesthetically pleasing environment just like a large home with common areas for meal and recreation. The vision of GAL retirement is to provide a welcoming home for 5 to 10 guests in most locations. First location is New Orleans area, opening Dec 1 2003.

Gay Family Compound

Russian River Resort Area

Guerneville

California

Email: OurPlace116@yahoo.com A Care Home for elder/disabled Gay & Lesbians

We are truly an extended Family Compound with a fulltime live-in care services provider. Fully fenced in acreage with three separate dwellings. Independence along with the security and assistance of a loving caregiver.

One Embassy Place (USA)

PO Box 2338 Portland,OR 97208 info@OneEmbassyPlace.com

Planned development of detached homes, apartments, lofts and condominiums in Portland, OR

Our Town

Email: lundberggroup@ourtownvillages.com Developing gay and lesbian communities.

Parkside Male Residential Hotel

Parkside Male Residential Hotel 1431 South Main Street Akron, OH 44301

Tel: (330)724-1800

Fax: (330)773-1114

Email: jbrown@neo.lrun.com

Currently provides 15 fully furnished rooms with extensive facilities including, dining room, physical fitness & tanning gym, and a surround sound theatre, located close to downtown Akron.

Palms of Manasota (USA)

138 49th Court East Palmetto FL 34221

941-722-5858 office

941-721-8026 fax

E-mail info@palmsofmanasota.com

The Palms of Manasota is the Nation's first gay & lesbian adult living community. The Palms seeks to build communities that are senior-friendly, attractive, pleasant and safe, and that can serve as models for other communities.

Rainbow Gardens

Rainbow Gardens Stay at Home Assisted Living allows you to stay at home while receiving services and care from qualified, carefully selected, gay/lesbian friendly staff

Email: sgw@rainbow-gardens.com

RainbowVision Properties, Inc.

W. Cordova Rd. #803 Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: 505-983-6609 Fax: 505-995-8808

E-mail: joysilver@earthlink.net

RainbowVision Properties, Inc. was incorporated in New Mexico in 1998 to develop resort-style, Independent and assisted Living retirement communities primarily for the gay and lesbian senior population. The flagship property is RainbowVision Village in Santa Fe, New Mexico. RainbowVision will expand into other locations as the company closely follows the particular demands of the senior GLBT population.

The Resort on Carefree Boulevard 3000 Carefree Boulevard Fort Myers, Fla. 33917-7135 Phone: (800) 326-0364 A vacation and resort community of manufactured home and recreational vehicle sites. Home sites start at $27,500 and homes and home sites and packages run from $69,000 to $120,000, according to the resort's website.

World's Edge Retirement and Longevity Resort (USA)

(704) 685-9673 or -7693, fax

(704) 685-7666, or write to P.O. Box 579, Edneyville, NC 28727

Still in development hidden in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina.

On 100 acres site each lot will be five acres with as much nature as possible surrounding the homes. Purchases of the lots can build whatever type house they want but developers are hoping for brick or log cabin type homes.

Rainbow Training

LGBT Awareness Training

Becca Calhoun Project Manager

Rainbow Training 1122 East Pike St # 1247 Seattle, WA 98122-3934 206.709.8677

becca@rainbowtrain.org

SAGE (Senior Action in a Gay Environment)

LGBT Awareness Training305 Seventh Avenue, 16th Floor New York, NY 10001

Phone: 212-741-2247

Fax: 212-366-1947

E-mail: sageusa@aol.com

ASA (American Society on Aging)

Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network

833 Market Street Suite 511 San Francisco CA

001 415 974 9641

Fax 001 415 974 0300

Website: HYPERLINK http://www.asaging.org www.asaging.org

CANADA

Rainbow Manor

177 FRANK STREET, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA K2P 0X4

TEL: (613) 688-2752

FAX: (613) 237-6842

E-MAIL: rideau@istar.ca Canada's First Gay and Lesbian Retirement Home.

Quest Residences

2000-1066 West Hastings, Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1 Canada

Email ir@QuestResidences.com.

Developing apartment-hotel style residences and assisted living residences for mature gays and lesbians in the US and Canada. First two locations we are planning to develop and operate residences are in San Francisco, CA, and Vancouver, BC.

VIVAT Group

PO Box 339 Stn Q Toronto Ontario M4T 2M5

Tel: 416-925-3202

Email: info@VIVATgroup.com Building communities and services, ideal for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community (and their friends) over the age of 45. Based in Toronto, Canada, we plan to expand to other North American locations as our membership grows.

EUROPE

Confort Gay

Near Aiguablava, Costa Brava Spain

Email: info@confortgay.com

Apartments and bungalows in gay residential complex next to the sea. With swimming pool, golf course (pitch & put), restaurant, alongside great gay disco(? ed).

L A Ries foundation

PO Box 3386 1001 AD Amsterdam The Netherlands Telephone:

+31 20 623 10 52

Housing complex with 7 apartments adapted for the elderly inAmsterdam.

Altenseniorenheim

Walter Paul & Ante

Curcovic Am Stiegelschlag 5, 60385, Frankfurt / Main Tel/Fax: 069 / 46 93 211 Email:

wpaul22065@aol.com

Thanks to HYPERLINK http://www.graygay.com www.graygay.com for the information about Canadian, European and US initiatives and to Philip Britton for his support in reading and making suggestions about this paper.