CREATING LGBT
WELCOMING SENIOR CENTERS FINDING COMMON GROUND
SEEK 2015 Conference
Presentation by
Sherrill Wayland, MSW
THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE
● Lesbian An identity label for women who may form
primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties to other
women.
● Gay An identity label for men who may form primary
sexual, romantic and/or relational ties to other men.
● Bisexual An identity label for people who may form
primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties with either
men or women.
● Heterosexual identity label for people who may form
primary sexual, romantic and/or relational ties with people
of the opposite sex.
● Transgender An umbrella term for people whose gender
identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they
were assigned at birth. The term may include but its not
limited to transsexuals and cross-dressers.
We ALL have a Sexual Orientation and Gender
Identity!
Gender Identity
Fenway Institute (2012)
Identity
begins
here
Identity
begins
here
Medical
Construct:
Gender reassignment or transition
Patient-centered
Construct:
Gender affirmation
LGBT Aging - Unique Challenges
LGBT Elders face unique challenges to successful aging.
● Cumulative effects of a lifetime of stigma
● Need to rely upon “families of choice” for care and
support
● Unequal treatment under laws and programs for older adults
● Less likely to seek supportive services as they age do to fear of
discrimination
● Increased risk of health disparities due in part to not seeking
preventative health screenings and actual or perceived
discrimination within health care system
Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults, www.lgbtmap.org, retrieved on 9/6/2013
Where do LGBT older adults
live?
● LGBT Adults reside in
93% of U.S. Counties
● 3.8% of adults identify as
LGBT
● Estimates indicate
upwards of 3 Million
LGBT older adults
growing to 7 Million by
2030
Guiding Principle
Finding Common Ground:
All older adults should be able to age in
community where they live, work, and pay
taxes.
WHAT IS OUR COMMON GROUND?
COMMON GROUND SPOKEN
“Access to care for our seniors is St. Andrew’s Senior
Solutions number one priority, and we strive to
provide our services in an environment where seniors
don’t have to feel invisible or fear discrimination. By
partnering with SAGE Metro St. Louis for a review of
our policies and procedures, we are furthering our
commitment to meeting the needs of the LGBT senior
community and striving to break down the barriers to
quality care that exists in the St. Louis area for this
segment of the population."
St. Andrews Senior Solutions
COMMON GROUND SPOKEN
“Clover Care is very proud to be a part of the SAGE
Referral Network in a continuous effort to uphold
our ideals and beliefs that every individual is
entitled to compassionate quality care without
discrimination and we work hard every day to
make that happen, one patient at a time.”
Clover Care Durable Medical Equipment
COMMON GROUND SPOKEN
“The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter, is
proud to be a part of the SAGE Referral Network.
The Referral Network helps us bring our
programs to families in the LGBT community
who are caring for a loved one with
dementia. It’s a great way for the Association to
assist our diverse clients in their journey with
the disease.”
The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter
WHAT CAN WE DO TO CREATE WELCOMING &
INCLUSIVE SENIOR CENTERS?
RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES
FOR SERVING LGBT COMMUNITY MEMBERS
adapted from the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults: A practical Guide To
Creating Welcoming Agencies
BEST PRACTICES
● DO presume your agency has LGBT clients.
● DO NOT assume you can identify LGBT individuals
by appearances, experiences, or external
characteristics.
● DO remember that a client’s sexual orientation and
gender identity are only two aspects of a person’s
overall identity and life experience.
● DO ask your clients about their sexual orientation
and gender identity in a safe and confidential
manner.
● DO NOT assume that treating everyone the same,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
will make LGBT older adults feel safe or welcomed.
WHAT STEPS CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION TAKE
TO CREATE LGBT WELCOMING SPACES
● Stay up to date on Federal, State, and Local Policy to ensure
organizational compliance for inclusion of LGBT community.
● Review and update nondiscrimination policies to include
sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression.
● Review Intake Forms – do they allow for self disclosure of
sexual orientation, gender identity, and LGBT
relationships/families?
● Maintain confidentiality of clients who disclose sexual
orientation and/or gender identity
● Review marketing materials and programming to ensure
inclusivity of sexual orientation and gender identity.
● Respect a persons gender identity and/or expression.
● When in doubt of a persons sexual orientation, gender
identity/expression, ASK, don’t assume.
WE ARE READY – WHAT’S NEXT?
 Policies Updated to reflect
inclusiveness &
nondiscrimination.
 Policies communicated to
staff and constituents.
 In-service offered to staff
and community on LGBT
inclusiveness.
 Begin targeted outreach
to LGBT Community.
 Offer LGBT welcoming
programs to show
inclusiveness.
www.lgbtagingcenter.org
RESOURCES
National LGBT Aging Resource Center
www.lgbtagingcenter.org

Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
and Transgender Elders www.sageusa.org
SAGE Affiliates - 27 SAGE Affiliates across the
U.S. in 20 States: CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, ME,
MO, NC, NM, NY, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, UT,
VA, WA, WI

Center Link – List of LGBT Center in U.S.
www.lgbtcenters.org

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
Online library of resources, technical assistance
and LGBT Older Adult Cultural Competency
Training.
www.lgbtagingcenter.org