GALHA Acts on Elderly Gays

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has made a submission to the Royal Commission on the Long Term Care for the Elderly concerning the needs of elderly lesbians and gay men. Stressing the importance of taking account of these needs, it has drawn the Commission’s attention to the growing number of gays who have been ‘out’ for the whole of their adult life and will not be prepared to return to the closet when they enter long term care.

The submission, which was drawn up by GALHA member Keith Wood, points out that for these ‘out’ gays sexuality is an important part of their identity, for which they will have fought hard, so “it is unrealistic to expect them on entering long term care to be cowed into returning to the closet”.

Among a number of recommendations made in the submission are:

• that there should be a gay awareness policy and anti-discrimination training in all public services, including those available to the elderly – something which is already in operation in police forces.
• that environments be created in which gay people can show their affection (something which heterosexuals take for granted) without being considered to be causing offence.

The submission ends by stating that the Commission has the opportunity to make the lives of elderly gays in care a great deal happier.

Although the date for making a formal submission has passed, anyone who would like to write to the Commission about this issue should address their letters to: The Secretary, Royal Commission on Long Term Care for the Elderly, 7th Floor, St Catherine’s House, 10 Kingsway, London WC2B 6JP.