Does Dallas Care About their LGBTQ Older Adults?
I am often concerned when I think about what my “world” will look like in 20 years.
You should know that “my world,” as it is, consists of aging gay, lesbian and transgender men and women living in the City of Dallas.
I am one of many “out and proud” gay people in Dallas. My self appointed mission, my goal is to help my fellow Silver Seniors age the best way they can. No one asked me to do it...as a matter of fact some wish I would STFU and stop beating the drum about senior isolation. Some even question my motives. After all, with a wife 20 years younger than me I probably don't have to worry about who will care for me... she will! ( hopefully )
I am not naïve. I know I can't "fix" all of the problems that exist. I also know there are others out there that are doing their best to educate about the issues that exist. I know also that pushing for more to be done has made me a bit of a pariah...and I'm ok with that.
Our community seems to be so focused on the young they have lost sight of the plight of an equally vulnerable segment of the population...the elderly. We are the most marginalized of an already marginalized community.
What, then, are the most crucial issues of our elder gay population?
"What will happen to the elders in our community as they get even older? Where can we go to talk, to fellowship and socialize with other LGBTQ elders in a safe environment here in Dallas? Where will WE go when we can no longer live unassisted? And who will look after us? Where can we find LGBTQ informed Physicians that won't make us feel like we are visitors from another planet? "
I have heard these questions several times over the past few years. What concerns me MOST though, is I haven't heard it enough, especially from those in a position to do something about it.
We NEED safe social outlets where we don't have to listen to music that's too loud for conversation, and we don't have to worry about tripping over large numbers of younger people resulting in a fall and possibly broken hip. We need culturally sensitive health care!
Far too often people do not understand the challenges facing older lesbian, gay and transgender persons, even within LGBTQ community! Yes, we all have heard the catch phrase "Social Isolation", but frequently unless it is affecting them personally, people just don't get what it means to be isolated socially...especially the ones under the age of fifty.
With Social Isolation comes self-neglect, depression, anxiety and a whole lot of associated and preventable illnesses for the Silver Seniors of our community.
In fact, older LGBTQ people are twice as likely to live alone, twice as likely to be single in old age and four times less likely to have children, and so many of us are estranged from our biological families.
After a lifetime of discrimination, prejudice and outright hate, there are LGBTQ older patients in assisted living facilities and nursing homes that feel they now have to “go back into the closet” as they become dependent on caregivers they don’t know. We have to remember the same people that are out here trying to take away our hard fought for rights are in many instances the same people employed in the very facilities we may eventually live in.
Thriving socially, as well as physically, is a challenge for LGBTQ+ older adults. Issues with mental health increase when an older adult identifies as LGBTQ+. They often feel unwelcome in social groups because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Being clear and intentional about welcoming people of all identities is important in making everyone feel welcomed.
It appears few aging services providers are aware of their responsibility LGBTQ+ seniors. Ironically, the historically sanctioned discrimination against LGBTQ+ people create a catch-22 where city government agencies do not research or collect data on LGBTQ+ elders, but in turn use this very lack of data to argue against a documented need to better serve this population. For example, while the Older Americans Act includes a focus on vulnerable populations, the Senior Affairs Commission does not explicitly recognize LGBTQ+ elders as vulnerable.
When many people think of LGBTQ+ elders, they often picture affluent individuals or couples living comfortable, urban lives. Contrary to the common stereotype, however, LGBTQ+ older adults as a group are poorer and less financially secure than their peers in Dallas as a whole.
Many older LGBTQ+ people lived most of their working years in an era when discrimination was legal (as it still is in many parts of the country), job opportunities were limited, and the jobs available to LGBTQ+ people were less likely to include health benefits or pensions. For LGBTQ+ seniors, a lifetime of employment discrimination translates into earnings disparities, reduced lifelong earnings, smaller Social Security payments, fewer opportunities to build pensions, and more limited access to health care than their heterosexual peers.
City Hall can do much more to ensure that we are truly connecting with and serving LGBTQ+ residents across all our neighborhoods.
We need a way to ensure that policies and programs are advancing and protecting the rights and dignity of Dallas’s LGBTQ+ residents and centering the lived experiences of queer, trans BIPOC residents in the city to make Dallas a place for everyone…An office or someone that will partner with other City departments and community organizations to ensure we close opportunity gaps for our LGBTQ+ seniors. Someone to specifically help eliminate barriers to access, amplify the work of LGBTQ+ community leaders, and create new opportunities for the LGBTQ+ family.
The interdisciplinary work of ensuring every City department, office, and program serves the targeted needs of LGBTQ+ community members, particularly Black and Brown transgender and non-binary residents, is essential.
As a city, I believe we have a responsibility to break down the systemic barriers that have created inequities at every level, there is still much work to be done to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Health inequities, disproportionate impacts on BIPOC LGBTQ+ people, persistent challenges facing elders, and a host of systemic barriers that require focus and attention at the city level.
LGBTQ+ people are a part of every community in the city! We need more targeted discussions regarding how we can work toward a Dallas that is welcoming to all, free from discrimination, and where everyone can thrive.