Violence and harassment against LGBTQ+ elders: Continued challenges in health care, housing, and aging services for pioneers of the movement

LGBTQ+ people have faced violence, discrimination, and harassment throughout their lives as well as social isolation and stigma in their identities due to widespread heterosexism. This cohort of elders faced the AIDS crisis, institutional heterosexism, and homophobia in employment, housing, and personal affairs. Despite progress in policy and law, these pioneers still frequently face similar challenges in healthcare, housing, and supportive services as they progress into old age. These elders describe fear of going back into the closet due to harassment and discrimination in long-term care and housing facilities, healthcare services, and even public health and aging programs. This chapter will illustrate many of the challenges this cohort of LGBTQ+ elders may face as they age despite the progress of LGBTQ+ rights movements. Limitations in research as well as clinical and policy considerations will also be explored.