Policy

Older lesbians‚ gay men and bisexuals face many issues in respect of ageing‚ in common with older heterosexuals. However‚ they are also likely to face other issues and injustices because of:

• isolation and institutionalisation‚ given the greater likelihood of their being single‚ without children and living alone;
• invisibility and the assumption that all older people are heterosexual (if they are believed to have a sexuality at all); and
• the double discrimination of ageism and homophobia.

Age Concern believes older lesbians‚ gay men and bisexuals should have the right to be open about their lives‚ loves and friendships without fear of being marginalised‚ isolated and subject to harassment‚ and to have access to appropriate health‚ education‚ housing and social care services.

As service providers‚ we are working to ensure our services are as demonstrably welcoming of older lesbian‚ gay and bisexual people as they possibly can be‚ so that all older people feel they can turn to us when they need help‚ without having to ‘go back into the closet’ in order to do so.