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GREY EXPECTATIONS
Yes folks – there
is a crock of gold
waiting at the end
of the rainbow…
gay geriatrics need
never fear a lonely
end. Julie Bindel talks
to two women who
have big plans for gay
retirement homes.
Janet Crome and Jo Blundell
soon discovered that they
shared a passion to set up
business providing a residential
community for older lesbians
and gay men in the UK.
“When we get older,” says
Blundell, “lack of
understanding and even
homophobia means that
many older people are forced PICTURE
back into the same closet they or assisted living centres older with dignity and quality
left decades ago.” increasingly report that they of life. They should not have to THIS
The women are well have been “disrespected or worry about isolation and
qualified to take such a project mistreated in ways that range exclusion,” explains Blundell.
forward. Crome has a from hurtful to deadly, even “Pretty much everyone we
background in housing leading some to commit talk to about this says: ‘We’ve
development and Blundell in suicide.” been thinking of doing
business development and There have been stories of something like that for years
they recognised a gap in the staff wearing gloves to make but, so far, no one has taken
UK market: “We had done beds – fearful of contracting the reins,’” says Crome. The
some research of similar HIV; of women being mistaken next stage is a self-funded
schemes in the heterosexual for men and accused of being scoping visit to the US – who
community and were not butch and predatory by lead the field in this type of
impressed,” they said. heterosexual residents and an community. The UK version
The maturing ‘baby assumption that the residents will probably be in or near to
boomer’ generation means have no offspring or close Brighton. “People don’t want
there will be more gay people blood family. to live too far away from the
with a voice and an A gay housing community is city,” reveals Blundell. “We want
73
expectation of living well into attractive for a number of it to be where the residents
old age. Communities for reasons: to be part of a don’t feel they stand out.” Do we really use drugs and
older gay people offer safety community with similar I leave the two women alcohol more than our straight
and the choice of living with interests and lifestyles, to enjoy laughing about possible names counterparts? That’s what the
people with similar lifestyles. services provided by gay or for the project. I cannot, Lesbian and Gay Foundation are
According to an article in gay friendly people, and to unfortunately, reveal their trying to find out with their new
the New York Times in 2007 increase social opportunities outrageous tongue-in-cheek survey, Part of the Picture. The
entitled ‘Aging and Gay, and for older gays and lesbians. suggestions. But one thing is survey represents the first ever
Facing Prejudice in Twilight’ “Gay people want something for sure – if Crome and comprehensive research
those living in nursing homes that allows them to grow Blundell have anything to do conducted into the drug and
with it, those of us who get alcohol consumption of LGBT
ourselves on the waiting list individuals across England. All
for this great scheme can look information gathered will be used
forward to growing old to improve drug and alcohol
disgracefully. services for LGBT users.
For more info or to comment on this To fill in the survey, visit
article go to
www.pinkplaces.co.uk www.partofthepicture.co.uk
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