Older Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender Persons

Although the experience of aging for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) individuals is in many regards indistinguishable from that of their non-GLBT counterparts, there are nonetheless special circumstances and a history of discrimination that bear noting when working with this population. There is considerable diversity within the GLBT community itself. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders vary in characteristics such as cultural, ethnic, or racial identity; physical ability; income; education; history of marriage and/or child rearing; and place of residence. They also vary in terms of the degree to which their GLBT identities are central to their own self-definition, and their level of affiliation with other GLBT individuals and organizations. This chapter examines social work practice with GLBT older adults. The purpose is to introduce practitioners to information and resources so that they might better serve older GLBT individuals. It begins by tracing some of the historical events and circumstances that have shaped the lives of the current cohort of GLBT elders. The invisibility of GLBT elders will be discussed next, a phenomenon that has resulted from a history of discrimination and oppression. GLBT elders bring certain unique strengths to the aging process; they also face some particular challenges. These are outlined, along with suggested practice guidelines.