Resources for Older LGBTQIA+ People

This Pride Month, we are championing some valuable resources for the older LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual)+ community as well as attempting to raise awareness of the issues they might face.

The LGBT foundation says “Laws change, but attitudes can be harder to shift.” This can be especially true for people who are perhaps in their 70s, 80s and 90s, as they have witnessed the progression of LGBTQIA+ rights throughout their lifetime so far. Whilst it is encouraging to see how far laws and attitudes have come, there are still issues faced by the older LGBTQIA+ community in relation to access to healthcare, social isolation, mental health, and the intersection between, living as an older LGBTQIA+ person with dementia.

Below are some resources which are designed to offer either direct support or knowledge to anybody who might need it.

Glossary of Terms

Stonewall, a leading LGBTQIA+ charity, has a handy list of acronyms and terms commonly used within LGBTQIA+ communities, which you can look at below:

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/faqs-and-glossary/list-lgbtq-terms

Switchboard Helpline – 0300 330 0630

This confidential helpline provides information, support and referral services for LGBTQIA+ people and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identify.

https://switchboard.lgbt/how-we-can-help

Stonewall’s ‘Working with Older LGBTQIA+ People’ document

This guide for care and support service professionals gives s practical advice to organisations providing care and support services about
how to meet the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/resources/working-older-lesbian-gay-and-bisexual-people