LGBTQ+ People Relive Old Traumas as They Age
As they grow older, many LGBTQ+ individuals are forced to confront the traumas of their past, often without the support they need.
The Unspoken Burden of Resilience
Bill Hall, 71, has been fighting for his life for 38 years. He contracted HIV in 1986, and since then, he’s battled depression, heart disease, diabetes, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer. This past year, Hall has been hospitalized five times with potentially life-threatening medical crises.
"I’ve never been able to form an intimate relationship," Hall said. "I contracted HIV from anonymous sex at bath houses I used to visit. I live alone in Seattle and have been on my own throughout my adult life."
The Isolation of Aging
Of the 3 million Americans over age 50 who identify as gay, bisexual, or transgender, about twice as many are single and living alone compared to their heterosexual counterparts, according to the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging. This segment of the older population is growing rapidly, with the number of LGBTQ+ seniors expected to double by 2030.
Many won’t have partners or children to help care for them. They face a daunting array of problems, including higher-than-usual rates of anxiety and depression, chronic stress, disability, and chronic illnesses such as heart disease.
The Weight of Trauma
LGBTQ+ seniors often withdraw socially and experience isolation more commonly than other older adults. "There was too much grief, too much anger, too much trauma — too many people were dying," said Vincent Crisostomo, director of aging services for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "It was just too much to bear."
In an AARP survey of 2,200 LGBTQ+ adults 45 or older, 48% said they felt isolated from others, and 45% reported lacking companionship. Almost 80% reported being concerned about having adequate social support as they grow older.
The Impact of HIV
Of the 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, about half are over age 50. By 2030, that’s estimated to rise to 70%.
Christopher Christensen, 72, of Palm Springs, California, has been HIV-positive since May 1981. "A lot of people living with HIV never thought they’d grow old — or planned for it — because they thought they would die quickly," Christenson said.
The Need for Support
Being on their own, without people who understand how the past is informing current challenges, can magnify those difficulties. "Not having access to supports and services that are both LGBTQ-friendly and age-friendly is a real hardship for many," said Christina DaCosta, chief experience officer at SAGE, the nation’s largest and oldest organization for older LGBTQ+ adults.
Conclusion
As the LGBTQ+ population ages, it’s essential to recognize the unique challenges they face. Many have experienced trauma, isolation, and marginalization throughout their lives, and these experiences can continue to affect their mental and physical health as they age. It’s crucial to provide them with access to LGBTQ-friendly and age-friendly services and supports to help them navigate the challenges of growing older.
FAQs
- What is the current population of LGBTQ+ seniors?
- The number of LGBTQ+ seniors is expected to double by 2030.
- How many LGBTQ+ adults are single and living alone?
- About twice as many as their heterosexual counterparts.
- What are some of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ seniors?
- Higher-than-usual rates of anxiety and depression, chronic stress, disability, and chronic illnesses such as heart disease.
- What is the impact of HIV on the aging process?
- Many people living with HIV never thought they’d grow old or planned for it because they thought they would die quickly.
