Fight looms to include LGBT elders in federal legislation

A major push to put the aging LGBT community on the national radar is underway. Federal legislation that is the primary support for local agencies serving the nations’ aging population – the Older Americans Act – is up for reauthorization this year and the fight is on. Not only are supporters very worried about maintaining federal funding for services in a time of drastic budget cuts, but advocacy groups also want the federal legislation to include LGBT elders as a “vulnerable” class.

The present law lists other minority groups as eligible for services tailored to their needs. LBGT elders should be so recognized, say advocates.
“If you don’t spell it out, then somebody does not include us without language being more specific,” said Shari Wilkins, director of SAGE of the Rockies, the elders program of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. “We’ll be included where convenient and where it’s not, we’ll be left out again.”

Michael Adams, director of SAGE, the national advocacy organization, sees the dollars as crucial. “The Older Americans Act is the primary means by which federal money is distributed to local agencies on aging around the country,” he said. “Of the $2.3 billion annual budget, only two million goes to programs that serve LGBT elders and that’s not right.

Many of the organizations serving senior Americans agree. The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations recently endorsed SAGE’s effort to make the OAA inclusive of LGBT elders. That was a big step, according to Adams. AARP, both nationally and in Colorado, has also been vocal and active in supporting recognition of LGBT seniors.

According to Kelli Fritts, representative of AARP Colorado, the OAA brings about $10 million to Colorado’s 14 Area Agencies on Aging to fund services across the state. For Fritts, money is the main issue. “We don’t want to see cuts to older Coloradans, including outreach to all communities. All the programs are woefully underfunded. It’s difficult to do progressive outreach when you don’t have the resources.”

The Colorado chapter of AARP has been very LGBT-friendly. They’re working with The Center’s SAGE program on benefits counseling for seniors, coordinating a food drive and partnering with SAGE and Boulder’s Project Visibility, a provider training program on LGBT sensitivity. And AARP Colorado marched down Colfax Avenue in the Pride Parade.

Shari Wilkins describes the AARP chapter as “fun and easy to work with on projects.”

Even with the support of AARP and LCAO, it will be a tough fight not only to fund the Older Americans Act but also make it LGBT inclusive. “Because of everything going on in Washington on the budget and federal debt ceiling, the bill has been sidetracked,” explained Adams. Little will happen until that is resolved.

“We don’t expect an easy road,” said Adams, “but we do intend to push aggressively.”