2. Project Visibility: LGBT Sensitivity Training For Homewatch CareGivers Employees Information provided by Boulder County Aging Services Division

3. LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered

4. Invisibility Most LGBT seniors are in the closet—many providers do not realize they are serving LGBT seniors. Many LGBT seniors experience a double invisibility as the LGBT community is not always acknowledging their existence.

5. LGBT Elders:  1-3 Million Americans Over 65 Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender  By 2030 @ 4 Million will be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender  5 times less likely to access services  Live alone  May not have traditional family support  May be isolated from LGBT community  Face poverty and economic insecurity

6.  Up to 75 % of LGBT older adults live alone and an estimated 90% do not have children  NGLTF 1999 Study of NY Gay Seniors revealed that 2/3 could not identify who would provide care to them if they grew ill

7. Homewatch CareGivers does not discriminate.

8. Concerns for LGBT Elders  Increased isolation  Increased depression  Unnecessary/premature institutionalization  Neglect

9. Strengths of LGBT elders  Self Reliant  Creates own support network  Have experienced an “ism” – feeling marginalized from mainstream culture  Have developed coping skills in dealing with a hostile environment

10. LANGUAGE

11. Heterosexism Heterosexual Privilege Homophobia Internalized Homophobia

12. Gender Identity Transgender Closet or Closeted Out

13. Acceptance Is the ability to listen, respond and provide care to all clients/residents regardless of personal feelings, beliefs or values about their characters or behaviors.

14. Don’t Make Assumptions

15. Inclusive Language Examples:  Using the word “partner” wherever there is an inquiry into marital status  Asking “who do you consider family?’

16. Discrimination is Unconscious  Ageism  Sexism  Homophobia  Religious intolerance  Racism  Intolerance of differences

17. Recommendations/Practical Solutions You Can Do Now  Don’t make assumptions  Respond neutrally, allow elders to share what they want to  Inclusive language  Trainings: Encourage Colleagues  Reporting Problems  Talk to office staff about resources

18. Resources  Project Visibility  Rainbow Elders  SAGE  Boulder Pride