Older LGBTQ+ Britons fear losing identity in care

In England, older members of the LGBTQ+ community are expressing concern that their identities may not be respected as they age and require care.

Mindy Meleyal, a 75-year-old lesbian, notes that her identity is often overlooked due to her age, a sentiment echoed in a new report from the Centre for Ageing Better. The report indicates that this demographic experiences greater social isolation, poorer health, and limited finances, and may hide their identities to avoid homophobia when accessing care.

Adam Porter of the LGBT Foundation regularly encounters older LGBTQ+ individuals concealing aspects of their lives, like wedding photos or flags, from carers. He describes instances of carers attempting to impose religious beliefs on LGBTQ+ people, highlighting a lack of understanding and acceptance within care settings. To address this, the LGBT Foundation is developing Kindred House in Manchester, an extra-care housing scheme with 80 apartments specifically for people over 55, with staff trained in LGBTQ+ inclusion.

The Centre for Ageing Better’s research also shows older LGBTQ+ people are less likely to have children or close family nearby for support, and more likely to live alone. Norman Goodman, 75, relies on a “chosen family” of friends and neighbors for assistance, but worries about potential discrimination in formal care. Similar LGBTQ+-focused housing projects exist in other countries, including Spain and the US, but are still rare in the UK, with Tonic in London being one of the first.

The number of people over 50 identifying as LGBTQ+ in the UK increased by roughly one-third between 2019 and 2024, suggesting a growing need for specialized support services.