Mature Gays Find Solace in Gay Nursing Homes

Most gays hope to find peace and serenity during their older days, but for some glbt seniors discrimination is alive and well in none other than their assisted-living facilities. Partners of more than a decade are separated, while others stay in the closet for fear of being alone as reported in an Associated Press story. I, for one, would like to spend my last days in peace and comfort. Why spend an entire lifetime overcoming homophobia, only to end up in the care of a nursing home staff that has little or no experience with glbt care?

According to Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center:

• Nearly 20% of gay seniors have no one to care for them should they become ill, vs. 2% for heterosexual seniors.
• 2/3 of gay seniors live alone vs. 1/3 of heterosexual seniors.

In response to the growing number of "stonewall seniors" that require assisted living, glbt-focused retirement facilities are being built all over the world. One such community is Santa Fe, New Mexico based RainbowVision, where seniors enjoy outdoor and indoor activities with other gay seniors. More mature gay care facilities are being built throughout the U.S. and the world as the queer baby boomers grow older.

The idea of gay senior communities does raise some concerns. Steven David, a postdoctoral psychology fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles who studies older gay men says, "There has been an argument of, 'Should we be creating these places in the first place or forcing society to accept us?'" However, RainbowVision developer Joy Silver claims, "It doesn't help to live in a gay-friendly community without any other gay people." What do you think? Have you planned for your older days?

News: Aging Gays Fuel Specialized Housing Market
Stonewall Gays: Gay Sex in the 70s
Mature Gays: 60 in 2012?
Growing Older: Being a Mature Gay Man
Senior Tips: Tips for Gay & Lesbian Seniors
Senior Health: About Senior Health
Senior Living: About Senior Living
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_{Photo courtesy of Ginny Warner.}