Here is an interesting article sheds light on the issues of discrimination and prejudice against Gay Seniors.
Aging and Gay, Facing Prejudice in Twilight
This is something I obviously hadn’t thought about in my own personal life, as my parents are heterosexual. While I do have a friend that is lesbian, I never thought about what it would be like for her to experience discrimination as a senior when that time comes.
Most of the time, when we think about long-term care, we don’t usually consider our parents’ or other loved one’s sexuality. However, what happens when your parent or loved one happens to be a part of a group that is still shunned in modern society? It’s hard enough if you do not conform to “society norms” as a younger person, but what about as an elderly man or woman? Gay and Lesbian seniors come from a generation where it was extremely taboo and they were forced, either by threats of violence or being ostracized from society, to remain “in-the-closet”.
Unfortunately, as society still grapples to accept homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered groups, not much attention has been given the sensitive needs of the members of our society who need it most.
