It is estimated that there are more than 2 million LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S. ages 50 and older, yet their presence in our community is often limited.
They face significant challenges, including access to health care and increased isolation.
Because of both their age and queer identity, they face extra stigma and discrimination.
Portia Cantrell founded the Silver Pride Project specifically to advocate and care for LGBTQ+ elders. The organization allows older LGBTQ+ adults to connect with each other and with the younger generations, who can assist with care and also learn from their elders’ experience.
The goal is to make LGBTQ+ seniors feel valued, engaged and recognized.
The organization works to meet the individual needs of older LGBTQ people as well as advocate at the city level for legal change and government recognition. Silver Pride Project has been very impactful in the community, and last year Cantrell was awarded the Kuchling Humanitarian Award at Black Tie Dinner.
Cantrell also serves as the senior affairs commissioner for city of Dallas’ District 2. She has been able to take her work to a wider audience and is the only out gay commissioner.
She said she is representing a population that is overlooked even in programs for seniors.
“The needs and experiences of older LGBTQ people need to be recognized in the city of Dallas. Our health and social needs deserved to be heard,” Cantrell said. The American Psychological Association describes the phenomenon of dual discrimination, and queer seniors face stigma due to their age and sexual or gender identity. Older people often feel ignored and invisible in society at a time when they require more assistance and support.
Through partnering with local colleges or connecting at events, Cantrell is making her voice heard. A very outspoken and vibrant person, she has spent more than a decade advocating for her community.
Cantrell is a retired trauma nurse and uses almost all of her time now to work for her community. Earlier in the fall, Cantrell was part of a local senior conversation to address the needs of older adults. Councilmembers Jesse Moreno of District 2 and Paula Blackmon of District 9 were also a part of the conversation, and Cantrell made sure that LGBTQ+ seniors were represented and heard.
“This listening session was an essential opportunity for us to share our experiences, discuss our unique challenges, and advocate for resources and support that specifically address our needs,” Cantrall explained.
Silver Pride Project also works beyond just political and legal advocacy. Part of their mission is to foster community among older LGBTQ+ adults. The organization hosts an annual LGBT Prom for seniors that weren’t able to attend their high school proms as their authentic selves. Many older LGBTQ adults grew up in a time where homosexuality was illegal and even more stigmatized, and have not had spaces like this to be themselves.
It is important for LGBTQ+ elders to connect not only with people of their own age, but also those that are younger. It is the younger generation that has to take on caring for those that came before them. Part of the mission of Silver Pride Project is to connect seniors with younger members of the community. During the pandemic, Cantrell created the Tele-Friend initiative, where young people could assist those staying at home during lockdown with tasks like grocery shopping. This also helped to build relationships so people had someone to talk to during this hard time.
Discrimination does not go away as people get older. Many LGBTQ+ adults face issues when trying to access services and medical care. Many LGBTQ+ older adults avoid and delay health care and conceal their sexual and gender identity from providers for fear of discrimination. Many fear harassment when accessing traditional senior centers.
A 2016 study by the Williams Institute found that older LGBTQ+ adults face barriers to receiving formal health care and social support that heterosexual, cisgender adults do not. Those over the age of 60 often have to rely on family for help receiving medical care, including rides to and from doctor appointments and support after treatments.
A 2010 SAGE study found that older LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to be single and live alone, and four times less likely to have children. Because of this, isolation is a major concern for older LGBTQ+ adults. They have to rely on chosen family and friends. This is why lifetime disparities in earnings, employment, and opportunities to build savings and discriminatory access to legal and social programs put LGBTQ+ aging adults at greater financial risk.
Overall, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to live in poverty, as well as older people. This puts LGBTQ+ seniors at an even greater disadvantage. A lack of legal protections and discrimination leads to lower earning power, and for most of history same-sex couples were denied the financial protections afforded heterosexual couples.
Part of showing pride is including everyone in our community. We have to make sure that events are inclusive, as well as that specific care is given to the needs of older LGBTQ adults. The Alzheimer’s Association offers resources specifically for the LGBTQ community and care givers. For those seeking a LGBTQ+-friendly doctor or other health professional, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association provides a directory of health care providers.
The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging focuses on providing technical assistance and resources for LGBTQ seniors and caregivers. They have an online library of guides, reports, and articles on LGBTQ aging and a form for aging network providers to receive technical assistance on best practices for supporting older LGBTQ+ people.
Cantrell also emphasizes how important this election is in protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ seniors. Going out and voting is one important way to show support to our community. “When you participate in the democratic process, you are ensuring a better future for everyone in our community,” Cantrell stressed.
LGBTQ+ elders are resilient. They have spent their lives fighting for our rights and continuing to live authentically, and that is something that should be honored and respected.
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal.