I’ve posted a few times about the difficulties LGBTQ Parkies face, especially as they age and are in need of housing (click! click! click!). One problem, as exemplified in the case of Marsha Wetzel, is finding a senior citizen residence where you aren’t harassed by fellow residents who are anti-gay, and where you feel supported by the residence’s administration.
Today’s New York Times reports on the perfect solution: Senior citizen residences designed for the LGBTQ community. Here you don’t have to worry about harassment or violence, and you can let your hair down (or put it up!) with like-minded party people fellow residents.
According to the Times, this is already going on in other cities; New York City is fashionably late for this party development:
While such targeted affordable housing is new to New York City, it has been built in a handful of other cities, including Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, amid a growing recognition that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are more likely to need help as they grow older because many of them are single, have no children and may be estranged from their families. These elders can find themselves isolated in traditional retirement communities or nursing homes, advocates say, and in some cases, may even feel compelled to go back into the closet just to fit in.
This sounds ideal for me, and something to look forward to should I need it.
There are at least 3 gay couples who will be neighbors in my new “senior” community. Thankfully, they have not experienced any negative attitude from the rest of the residents! BTW, my move in date will be Sept. 28th! It will be a relief to be settled!
Hi Bev – This sounds great on many levels. Best wishes as you move in to your new abode! – Bruce