Standing Up for Pennsylvania's LGBT Older Adults

by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging

In 2015, our country celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in favor of marriage equality. I hoped this landmark case would serve as a turning point from which LGBT Americans would have equal rights under the law. Unfortunately, the Trump administration is taking us backwards.

As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, I am particularly concerned about older LGBT Americans. There are at least 1.5 million gay and bisexual individuals ages 65 and older in the U.S. and that number is expected to double by 2030. Faced with prejudicial social stigma, this population experiences unique challenges including high poverty rates, difficulty accessing health care, and isolation.

When this administration attempted to undermine the rights of LGBT elders, I took action. In June, after I urged the administration to continue collecting data on older LGBT adults, it restored a question on sexual orientation to a key federal survey. I also called on the administration to ensure that programs serving homeless youth will continue focusing on the needs of LGBT youth, and pressed them to move forward with a rule to ensure same-sex spouses are afforded equal rights in long-term care facilities. Most recently, I cosponsored the LGBT Elder Americans Act of 2017, which would decrease isolation among LGBT elders and improve their access to services.

Our work to secure equality for LGBT Americans is not done. That's why I will continue fighting to ensure that the administration recognizes and supports the rights of LGBT Americans.