LGB Study on growing old

• Posted by Pauline Smith May 27, 2015 #Manchester  #LGB  1,336 views
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  This study into how older people, classed as those over 50, cope with being LGB as they age was pubished on 21st May 2015.  I heard about it on Radio Manchester earlier this morning, as the report studies the LGB older community in Mannchester.

   

  I have extracted the initial 2 paragraphs of the report, as the second shows that the LBGT has not forgotten the T part; just rather sad that they didn't choose to include us in the study or report.  I wanted to share the report with all of you.

   

  As one of those older trans people I am aware of how tough it is and will be for me in future, growing older as a transgendered person. Living alone  (50%) and mental health issues (78%) are very common amongst 50 plusers in the LGBT community in Manchester.

   

   

  It is interesting that almost no LGBTers in my age group go to any LGBT events like Pride, and they feel that the Village is "too young" and homophobic and transphobic - though the worst place for that is Piccadilly Gardens. Significantly people who live outside Manchester, especially in towns or places without a visible LGBT community, see the Village as a safe haven, which is contrary to those who live here.

   

  We will all grow old, and I do hope that those under 50 - who have grown up in a more tolerant society than I did - will face different issues as they get older.

   

  Why not have a read of the report - a link to the report is attached at the end of this blog.

   

  hugs

   

   

  Pauline xxxx 

   

   

  Two Extracts from the Report

   

  Approximately 7,650 people aged over 50 living in Manchester identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), and these communities experience specific health inequalities and care needs. Older LGB people have grown up in a world hostile to their identities, and the impact of discrimination, homophobia and biphobia is felt as they age, experiencing an increased reliance on services, isolation from family and community, and a need to renegotiate their identities within the wider LGBT community.

   

  Research into the particular experiences of trans people indicates inequalities across similar areas. This report focusses on the needs of older LGB people, and further evidence of trans people’s needs can be found in publications from LGBT Foundation’s Building Health Partnerships project: lgbt.foundation/bhp and our Evidence Exchange of LGBT statistics (lgbt.foundation/evidence).

   

   

   

   

  Links to the report, and to the LGBT Foundation website

   

  http://lgbt.foundation/olderpeople?utm_source=LGBT+Foundation+Press+List&utm_campaign=e3bf7e7b15-Press+Release_IDAHOBIT_2015_Vigil5_13_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_27c5cefdc0-e3bf7e7b15-197392125&mc_cid=e3bf7e7b15&mc_eid=f8b153a188

   

  file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/FENT__1432047578_11145_State_of_the_City_Report.pdf

   

  https://lgbt.foundation/