UK's first' LGBT retirement community to open in London

[Maid In Bedlam]

What is described as the UK's first retirement community celebrating LGBT+ people is set to open.

 

 

Whats your thoughts on this?

 

Would it be that those members of society are being segragated? Over 55s have been able to rent flats specifically in areas for people of an older age group for many years. But in reality thats a diffrent ball park.

 

I know you have a few in states for the lgbt members of society! for exampleStonewall Gardens in Palm Springs.  Do they work?

 

Would you want to move into one or do you see is as a way of keeping you seperate from a society that you endevour to be accepting?

 

BBC Link here

[Charlize]

I'm hesitant about seeing the LGBT community separated from the rest of society.  Our presence and existence as older folks must be helpful for younger folks.  Knowing that we can't "fit in" is a sad comment.  At the same time i do have to laugh at the idea of how i may look if i get past being able to care for myself.  My beard is light and i haven't dealt with that issue.  I'll just be the bearded old lady if i stop shaving long enough.?

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Robin]

I am sure that the people concerned mean well, but segregation is not necessarily a good idea.  The concept of LGBT people being one group, with common interests and needs, is something that I am also sceptical about.

 

Robin.

[LusciousTheLock]

Nope. Surely our whole aim of transition is to do just that. Transition and dissapear. Blend in. vanish. Live who we really are. Who wants a red flag advertising who you are / were? And singled out as a constant reminder?  Equal rights for all should mean just just that. No exceptions. Education should bring us together not pidgeon hole us for being different.

[Carolyn Marie]

2 hours ago, Robin said:

I am sure that the people concerned mean well, but segregation is not necessarily a good idea.  The concept of LGBT people being one group, with common interests and needs, is something that I am also sceptical about.

 

Robin.

 

This!

 

Carolyn Marie

[Jackie C.]

I'm a little torn. On the one hand, I don't support any kind of segregation and would like to continue to be out and about among the unwashed masses. On the other hand, if I find myself single as I get older, I would love to know my potential dating pool is all on one place. It would make meeting a new partner much simpler.

 

Hugs!

[VickySGV]

I was recently in a discussion about this with a group of age 65+ LGBT people.  Some of them who have lived on the margins of society for many years have found that they do not share experience with Cis / Het people which would make new friendship difficult and could well leave them in isolation which while not new, would make life difficult or highly depressive.  Having things in common with your "house mates" or close neighbors gives you a sense of community which your have longed for in your working ages, where you can relax share tales and not worry about judgment of who you were or what you did.  Such a place is a Safe Haven.  I have visited a relative who has been in an Assisted Living Condo and she was subject to shunning by other neighbors in it because of her religion (Methodist vs Catholic vs Baptist) and some other factors where she did not fit in.  I was not "out" during my visits there, but there would have been grave problems for her.  I was cautioned by the manager there that many of the residents were Homophobic to points they had to be dealt with about their expression.

 

I do have Gay friends who are in the Palm Springs CA community @Maid In Bedlam mentioned above and for them it is a very good thing.  Both couples (yes married) have fitted in very well with the community, and it is an element of stress off their lives to be in the neighborhood there.  All four of them had been "Activists" in the LGBTQ community and they do have stories to share and relate to.  They do welcome younger people to events on the Community grounds so there is generational intersection that encourages both groups.

In Los Angeles, the LGB Center has a new living complex where LGBT seniors can find affordable housing.  Across the street from it is a short term housing complex for LGBT youth and young adults. The younger people have service commitments to help the senior residents across the street in exchange for low rents, and there is a community area where all of them can intersect with each other. 

For the time being the LGBT does not simply have acceptance to make end of life experiences enjoyable and socially comfortable for the community members. I am eligible by age to move into either facility I know about, but for now I am able to live on my own with no problems (other than forgetting where I put my purse).  I would hope that some day in the not too distant future (40 to 60 years) that LGBTQ seniors could just be part of all communities where their histories and lives could be shared with all, without the horror and disgust in so many of our age group still have for LGBT, until then I vote in favor of the retirement centers.

[Carolyn Marie]

In California there is a law that requires extended/senior living and assisted living places to not discriminate on the basis of sexual preference or gender expression.  The law is fine, but as Vicky points out (above), that doesn't mean that individuals within those facilities will be as voluntarily tolerant as the management & staff are mandated to be.  I guess it would be up to the facility managers what to do about transphobic or homophobic residents.  Any way you look at it, it would be an uncomfortable situation.

 

That said, I still would not wish to be segregated that way.  Such segregation wouldn't guarantee piece of mind, either.  I know some trans folk whom I would not enjoy living next to.  Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances.   

 

Carolyn Marie

[tracy_j]

Knowing no trans people whatever locally (at least as far as I know) and just living in the community I don't see any advantage to it. To me it is preferable to live in the general population rather than segregation, which would likely bring as many problems as it solves.

 

Tracy