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(Sacramento, California) Legislation that requires the state of California to deliver programs and services targeted to LGBT seniors passed the Assembly on Thursday.
The Older Californians Equality and Protection Act is aimed at ensuring that the California Department of Aging accounts for the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors in all of its programs and services.
The measure passed by a 48-32 vote and now goes to the Senate.
"California's LGBT seniors deserve to live their golden years with dignity and stability," said the bill's sponsor, Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).
By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or older. Roughly four million of these will be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
LGBT elders face a number of particular concerns as they age according a recent report by the Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
LGBT elders often do not access adequate health care, affordable housing, and other social services that they need, due to institutionalized heterosexism.
Several studies of nursing home administrators, Area Administration on Aging directors and health care providers found widespread homophobia among those entrusted with the care of America's seniors.
As a result many older gays and lesbians retreat back into the closet, reinforcing isolation.
California with the largest population of gay and lesbian couples of any state could see increasing problems for older gays, Equality California, the states largest LGBT rights group said.
"LGBT seniors should be able to take advantage of any government service that is available to all older Californians," said Seth Kilbourn, Equality California political director.
"The elder LGBT community has unique needs that should be considered in current and future state programs administered through the Department of Aging."
©365Gay.com 2006
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