LGBTIQ+ Aging Around the World
Around the world, LGBTIQ+ elders are some of the most marginalized and at risk among LGBTIQ+ peoples, experiencing rampant human rights violations based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity and the stigma of ageism. As a result of these compounding factors, LGBTIQ+ elders experience widespread discrimination, are at acute risk for severe social isolation, lack support networks, are disproportionately poor, and grapple with pronounced health disparities.
Despite these challenges, LGBTIQ+ older people are often sidelined in both conversations around the human rights of older people and in LGBTIQ+ advocacy. For example, national laws designed to protect older people often ignore the existence of LGBTIQ+ elders and high levels of anti- LGBTIQ+ discrimination within government programs, community-based services, and professionalized care (often delivered by religious organizations) make it difficult for LGBTIQ+ elders to access appropriate support. LGBTIQ+ elders are also largely invisible and disregarded even within LGBTIQ+ communities. These challenges are greatly exacerbated at the intersections, especially among elders who are women, transgender, gender non-binary, bisexual, intersex, and/or from groups that are disfavored because of racism.
In response to these injustices, a movement by and for LGBTIQ+ elders has begun to emerge around the world. This platform seeks to accelerate this work by creating a space for LGBTIQ+ older people to share resources, strategize and build community across geographies.
