All-Ages LGBT Community Conversation

By Bandana Shrestha , October 02, 2013 01:24 PM

What are the key issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders, teens and inbetweens today? What are the similarities and differences in experiences across generations? Join AARP Oregon and community partners on October 20 for LGBT Seniors, Teens, & Inbetweens: All-Ages LGBT Community Conversation in Eugene.

This interactive, uplifting community workshop will be led by Soromundi: Lesbian Chorus of Eugene and will bring together generations to share stories and insights across generations. No singing involved - just great conversation! Light refreshments.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Campbell Senior Center

155 High St, Eugene, OR

According to research most of us will need some form of assistance to maintain our desired quality of life, independence and dignity as we age. Dealing with declining health, loss of ability and accepting help from loved ones or paid caregivers is hard enough, for those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, aging and receiving care has its unique challenges and complications.

The Administration on Aging reports that between 1.7 to 4 million Americans age 60+ are LGBT. Because this demographic is more likely to live alone and may not have immediate family able to help, planning for needed care in later life is a critical issue. According to a 2010 national survey of 769 gay elders, care providers, and family members found that 328 of those interviewed reported 853 incidents of mistreatment; just 22% felt they could be open with staff about sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, more than three-quarters said they would not disclose their LGBT status should they wind up in institutional care. Increasingly, there’s discussion about how to make life better for the older LGBT demographic (nursing staff sensitivity training, education and advocacy).

To raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by LGBT seniors, AARP Oregon is screening this documentary in 2013 in Medford and Eugene. We are working with local partners, including the Senior and Disability Services of Rogue Valley Council of Oregon in Medford and Pride Foundation and PFLAG in Eugene, to conduct free public screening of this critically-acclaimed documentary.

For more information on LGBT aging, take a look at the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, a project of SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and visit www.aarp.org/pride.

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