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Network of Multicultural Aging |
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 Fall 2007 - Winter 2008
Five Questions for Terri Worman:
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The board reaffirmed our belief that our LGBTQI community is a very diverse population with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, economic status and more. We knew OutWord had not touched on these issues in a formal way in a while. The conversation started with understanding that we were not even as inclusive in our work with the “BTQI” part of our community, let alone race and ethnicity. From there, we excitedly decided on a three-part series that starts with communities of color, then identities of the bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex communities, and finally an issue on language and labels. We believe that diversity should be a commitment of all ASA constituent groups and in the aging community. Inclusion needed to start with us, and we looked forward to finding persons of color in our own community who could help us understand issues pertaining to LGBTQI elder communities of color.
What are key issues LGBTQI elders of color encounter that are distinct from those faced by elders in general?
At times, it can be very difficult for elders living in a world where they have to balance dual identities, trying to maintain cultural values and mores while struggling with heterosexism and with the anti-LGBT fear and prejudice present in many parts of American society, as well as with the potentially distinct taboos of some communities of color toward LGBTQI individuals. Lack of social support leads to isolation just when most people need others for assistance.
LGBTQI elders of color also face challenges within the LGBTQI community. Our continuing culture of youth within these communities in general can clash with the cultural value and respect of elders held by many communities of color. And within the LGBTQI community, various forms of racism are sadly no less common than among Americans in general, so LGBTQI elders of color do not always encounter the support and respect that they deserve from other LGBTQI people.
In addition, poverty and lack of retirement income, health needs and affordable retirement housing options are critical to many elders -- especially so in LGBTQI communities of color. Lack of affordable and accessible healthcare results in high percentages of heart disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other preventable diseases. Fears of discrimination and cultural taboos also keep these elders from using available services.
What can professionals in aging do to help LGBTQI elders of color overcome these difficulties?
BONUS RESOURCES |
| Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network AARP Illinois |
FURTHER READING |
| OutWord. The fall 2007 issue of OutWord, quarterly newsletter of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network, highlights the experience of LGBTQI communities of color. To read the articles, click here. |
Become culturally competent in understanding the issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity, especially not succumbing to heterosexism when dealing with elders of color. Respect of culture and experience is critical. Asking questions in culturally sensitive ways can open up dialogue so that trust can be built and services more readily accepted. Work with LGBTQI organizations of color in your community to create opportunities to talk about health issues; create LGBTQI-friendly spaces within your existing facilities. And LGBTQI professionals creating elder service opportunities should strive to include foods and social opportunities that speak to the culture and values of elders to whom they are reaching out.
What are the challenges facing professionals in their work with LGBTQI elders of color?
A commitment to cultural competence can be a difficult hurdle in agencies where leadership does not see a need to improve their outreach to the changing faces in their communities. Such essentials as creating time for staff development and making sure intake forms use non-heterosexist language and are culturally sensitive are often deemed unnecessary.
Invisibility of LGBTQI elders within the aging community in general and lack of accessibility to existing informal groups within LGBTQI elder communities of color can make it hard for even the most sensitive of providers to build trust and identify our elders’ specific needs. Needs assessments that show solid statistics generate funds that many nonprofits sorely need and can use in their work. It can be hard work and take many hours of “pounding the pavement” to find the right elders who can introduce you to informal group members, but it is time well spent.
What direction do you think the field of aging needs to take to better serve LGBTQI elders of color?
Much of the field of aging still has not recognized the need for services and programming that target the LGBTQI elder community in general, especially at the national level. Including sexual orientation and gender identity as special population designations could be a great step toward funding and support for our community.
Building bridges between traditional aging networks and growing LGBTQI community organizations should be a priority at both the national and local levels to be sure aging understands LGBTQI and LGBTQI understands aging. We need each other -- doing this hand in hand with our elders will make the links strong and the future possible.
Audrey Wong is senior coordinator for publications at the American Society on Aging.
Photo: Courtesy Robert Levy/ASA