©2013 Provided by Boulder County Area
Agency on Aging, Boulder CO
A Division of Community Services
TRAINING PROVIDED BY Emily Lewis, MA
Project Visibility trainer
with Boulder County Area
Agency on Aging
303-441-3583
elewis@bouldercounty.org
Emily
LGBT Elder Demographic
“Why do I need
this training? I
know gay people
and I am not a
mean person?”
 2-7 million Americans Over 65
Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender
 Twice as likely to live alone
(80% age alone)
 Four times less likely to have
children (90% none)
 May not have traditional family
support
 May be isolated from LGBT
community
 More likely to face poverty and
economic insecurity
 Five times less likely to access
senior services
SHOW
PROJECT
VISIBILIT Y
THE FILM
Shari, transgender MTF
GENDER IDENTITY VERSUS SEXUAL
ORIENTATION
Annie,
Project Visibility’s Narrator
 Sexual Orientation: refers to
what sex we are attracted:
opposite, same or both.
 Gender Identity: refers to an
individual’s basic selfconviction of being male or
female.
 Transgender: an umbrella
term to describe the
continuum of individuals
whose gender identity and
expression to varying degrees
does not correspond with
genetic sex.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE
TERMS?
Heterosexism
Heterosexual privilege
Homophobia/Transphobia
Internalized homophobia
OUR CONCERNS
 Isolation
 Depression
 Poor Health
 Neglect/self neglect
 More likely to need
formal care, but
reluctant to access them
 Premature death
Long-time couple, Kathy and Carmah
OTHER CONCERNS
End of Life
Grief and Loss
Lon & George, a gay couple
Legal and
Financial
PROVIDING COMPETENT CARE
INVOLVES:
Doctor Anna Wegleitner, MD
talks about providing LGBT
culturally
competent care in PV film.
The ability to listen,
respond and provide
polite and
considerate care to
all clients/residents
regardless of
personal feelings,
beliefs or values
about their character
or behaviors.
Ways to provide competent services to LGBT elders
include:
• Not making assumptions and asking open-ended
questions.
• Using gender-neutral language when appropriate
• Using inclusive language on all forms
• Having brochures and resource guides of interest to LGBT
elders in lobby and waiting areas
• Posting a non-discrimination policy in your waiting room
or office that includes gender identity and sexual
orientation
Here is a sample
non-discrimination
poster. It is
available both in
Spanish and
English that
includes sexual
orientation and
gender identity
and expression.
“They always say time
changes things, but you
actually have to change
them yourself.”
-Andy Warhol
FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE CONTACT:
Boulder County Area Agency on Aging
P.O. Box 471
Boulder, Colorado 80304
infoLGBTelders@bouldercounty.org
303-441-3570
www.projectvisibility.org
©2013