This is a incredibly intriguing 5 minute podcast that discusses LGBT people and aging. The podcast discusses older members of the LGBT community feeling like they must go "back into the closet" as they grow older and need services like assisted-living facilities. As we have discussed the construction of the closet in this class, I thought it was interesting that some members of the community are feeling the pressure to go back into the closet as they age. https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/02/15/lgbt-people-growing-old-challenges
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ReplyDeleteI was saddened to hear how fear from past discrimination colors and is reinforced by the present experience of LGBT elders. Because elders are one of the most vulnerable segments of society, the treatment of particular communities of elders seems to act as an indicator of societal outlook on particular communities. While the narrative surrounding the treatment of LGBT communities seems to be filled with positive progress, this story makes me question that narrative. If what is quite possibly the most vulnerable segment of a particular community continues to experience discrimination while the livelihood of the less vulnerable segments of that community improves, can we consider this progress?
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