LGBT Focused Senior Living

Imagine finally being able to live your life openly as a LGBT person, only to find yourself in later years being forced back into hiding who you really are.

Unfortunately, that’s the situation many in the in the LGBT community find themselves in when it comes time to move to senior housing. Fear of rejection or being ostracized is part of daily living for LGBT elders in communities all over the country.

One man described his struggle:

“I lived the last 25 years of my life as an openly gay man in Dupont Circle. Then I came here this year because there was nowhere else to go, and I’m scared to be myself. Gay people are either invisible to, or unwanted by, the people here. So I stay quiet.”

This is a growing problem for millions of people in this country. According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, there are three million LGBT elders living in the United States right now, and that number is expected to double by 2030.

So what is being done to create more prejudice-free and inclusive options for the LGBT community? Where is it possible for them to feel the same sense of community as straight residents?

Fortunately, tolerant communities are beginning to pop up all over the country. For a complete list of LGBT friendly senior housing options, SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) provides a lot of information.

Additionally, check out this article on the Top LGBT Aging Communities in California.

Although it’s great to see examples of LGBT senior communities that thrive, there is clearly a need for many more in urban areas all over the country. Hopefully as demand continues to increase, we will see other senior housing developers jumping in and meet the demand.