John —
Over the course of my two years at Caring Across Generations, one of the most validating and uplifting parts of my experience has been our work to expand the way we define families in caregiving.
For many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, family isn’t just our blood relatives. It’s our chosen family and friends — in fact, LGBTQ+ caregivers are twice as likely to care for neighbors and friends compared to the general population.
Help us honor LGBTQ+ caregivers with a Pride Month gift of $25 or more >>
This Pride, after such a difficult year I’m thankful for the gift of unconditional love and acceptance from my family — both by birth and by choice — who lift me up and keep me grounded at the same time. Like so many of us celebrating Pride, I’m grateful for those who have given me a sense of belonging, for the care my LGBTQ community has given one another, and the spaces we’ve made to keep each other safe this year.
Right now Caring Across is pushing for real change for caregivers, aging adults, and people with disabilities across the country. Our campaign to pass $400 billion for home and community-based services (HCBS) would have real, positive consequences, for LGBTQ+ older adults and people with disabilities:
- In one study, 43% of residents, relatives, and staff members reported that they had witnessed or experienced harassment based on perceived sexual orientation at long-term care facilities.[1]
- Transgender people fear long-term care facilities because of experiences with discrimination, mistreatment, and isolation when people find out their gender identity.[2]
- LGBTQ+ people may be at higher risk for being placed in a facility because they are more likely to be living alone without an identifiable caregiver.[3]
Together, we can make a difference for aging and disabled LGBTQ+ folks by fighting for options that allow our community to live and age the way we want to. Please make a Pride Month gift of $25 or more today!
In 2019, my partner and I were remote caregivers for my dad who passed away shortly before the pandemic began. I know that had he had to live alone — without my mom or me able to visit him during the pandemic — my father simply would not have survived in the assisted living facility where he lived the last three years of his life.
What I’ve learned at Caring Across is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Not for my dad; not for seniors like him throughout the country; not for people with disabilities who are often institutionalized because we don’t have the systems of support; not for our aging LGBTQ+ community; not for anyone. We all deserve the option of home and community-based services and a care squad of homecare workers and family who could be there to help us live with dignity and respect at home.
That’s why the work of Caring Across Generations is so critical right now. President Biden has included $400 Billion for HCBS in his American Jobs Plan to help families struggling with providing care and assistance at home for their loved ones. Help us ensure we keep every penny allocated to HCBS in the final bill that gets passed!
Thank you again for all you do for the people in your blood and chosen families. Let’s win this fight! Happy Pride to all of us celebrating this month!
United in love, pride and care,
Beth Shipp, Managing Director
Caring Across Generations
Sources:
- https://prospect.org/power/old-gay/
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/jpyym3/aging-transgender-people-growing-old-care-home-abuse
- https://www.asaging.org/sites/default/files/files/mmi-still-out-still-aging.pdf
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