By 2030, more than 7 million queer Americans over 50 will call the U.S. home — nearly double today’s number. Yet many queer elders still face major challenges in aging with dignity. Discrimination from lawmakers, elder-care staff, and healthcare systems continues to leave many without access to gender-affirming or culturally competent care. Because of these inequities, queer seniors experience higher rates of depression, dementia, and chronic illness, making inclusive housing more urgent than ever.
And the need is personal: LGBTQ+ elders are twice as likely to live alone and four times less likely to have children than their straight peers. According to SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders), queer seniors have been denied shared rooms with partners or told to hide their identities in care facilities. “The fear of going back in the closet remains a real and painful possibility.”
To counter that, LGBTQ+-affirming retirement communities are emerging nationwide — offering safe, inclusive environments, staff trained in affirming language and care, and spaces for belonging. Among them are: The Connie House in Boynton Beach, Florida, and The Palms of Manasota in Palmetto, Florida. And even if not all queer elders can access these havens, support networks like the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging and SAGE connect seniors to inclusive housing and care options.
