OPINION: LGBTQ+ elders need resources and support

One of the most pressing issues facing older Americans today is access to affordable senior housing. This issue is tenfold for LGBTQ+ elders, who must also find a space where they can live safely and authentically as themselves. According to Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders (SAGE), 41% of LGBTQ+ older adults fear having to hide their identity to access senior housing or care services.

While working with local support organizations, like Older Rainbow Community of Albuquerque (ORCA), that strive to provide continued education on the unique challenges LGBTQ+ elders face, I’ve noticed a clear misconception among service providers, who assume that if everyone who utilizes senior housing services is treated the same, there is no need for LGBTQ+-specific trainings or offerings.

This is simply not true. LGBTQ+ elders have faced a lifetime of disparities that impact their mental, physical and even financial health. For example, nearly half of LGBTQ+ elders report feeling social isolation and are two times more likely to not have children, compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. With these increased rates of social isolation and a lack of familial support, LGBTQ+ elders need access to a welcoming and supportive community to help them comfortably navigate aging.

In addition to expanding service provider education, there needs to be increased focus on outreach and connection with LGBTQ+ elders living in rural areas, as resources available in the city can be nearly impossible to find in rural communities, and those living in rural areas are often wary of the true safety of programs they are unfamiliar with. This is especially important in our state, as 1 in 3 New Mexicans live in rural areas, compared to 1 in 5 people nationally.

In 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) was signed to ensure equal access to necessary resources, services and protections for older Americans. In 2020, this act was reauthorized nationally to include protections for LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults living with HIV/AIDS. At the state level, the New Mexico State Plan on Aging does not currently mention LGBTQ+ elders. It needs updating to include a commitment to specifically address the needs of older LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV/AIDS. While New Mexico, and specifically Albuquerque, is hailed as a progressively safe and inclusive location for LGBTQ+ people, the Trump administration’s hateful rhetoric and actions against the LGBTQ+ community have caused increased fear that the specific protections outlined in the OAA for LGBTQ+ people will be removed or that the OAA will be fully eliminated, taking away all federal protections for older Americans.

To ensure all New Mexico LGBTQ+ elders receive the necessary services they desperately need, local and state governments must voice support for more comprehensive legislation outlining specific protections and safeguards for LGBTQ+ elders. This comes in two forms: fostering collaboration with community organizations to understand the true needs of local elders and evolving the New Mexico State Plan on Aging to meet those needs, as well as advocating for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, with the inclusion of protections for LGBTQ+ elders and those living with HIV/AIDS.

LGBTQ+ older adults have lived through a lifetime of discrimination. They deserve to have the tools, resources and support to live and age comfortably as themselves.