WASHINGTON, DC [05/16/2024] –Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) introduced legislation to improve rural senior service programs to better serve LGBTQI+ elders and older Americans living with HIV.
A significant number of LGBTQI+ older adults and older adults living with HIV reside in rural communities, and they often face greater barriers to receiving the support and resources they need because of geography, costs, insufficient broadband infrastructure, and lack of specialized providers. Stigma can also deter members of the LGBTQI+ community and people living with HIV from seeking help. The Elder Pride Act would update the Older Americans Act (OAA) and provide funding to help rural Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) offer LGBTQI+ specific services for those living with HIV.
“The ability of LGBTQI+ older Americans and seniors living with HIV to age with dignity should not depend on their zip code,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Chair of the Equality Caucus’ LGBTQI+ Aging Issues Task Force. “The Elder Pride Act will improve the overall health and social and economic well-being of LGBTQI+ older adults and seniors living with HIV in rural areas by better equipping senior service providers with resources to address the unique needs of these communities. I’m pleased to introduce this important legislation with my colleagues and co-leaders on the Equality Caucus, Representatives Pocan and Davids.”
“Congress has a responsibility to ensure LGBTQI+ older adults and older people living with HIV in rural communities have the support they need to age with dignity,” said Rep Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “I’m honored to join Rep. Bonamici and Rep. Davids in introducing the Elder Pride Act to ensure meaningful investments in support services for these rural community members.”
“Many of our LGBTQI+ elders fought tirelessly for equality in a world that refused to accept their identity,” said Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “While they overcame tremendous odds to give future generations the rights they deserve, our elders, particularly those in rural communities, continue to face discrimination when accessing long-term care and health care. I am proud to support the Elder Pride Act because who you are and who you love should never increase your risk for isolation, poverty, and poor health outcomes as you age.”
The legislation is endorsed by SAGE, Congressional Equality Caucus, Human Rights Campaign, NMAC, Justice in Aging, National Center for Lesbian Rights, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus, National Coalition of STD Directors, interACT, and National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs.
“LGBTQ+ elders and older people living with HIV live in every part of this nation, including rural areas. We all deserve to be able to age in our communities with the services and supports we need to remain independent,” said SAGE CEO Michael Adams. “We commend Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) on reintroducing the Elder Pride Act. And we honor the contributions of our many LGBTQ+ trailblazers whose tireless advocacy allowed us to re-introduce this critical bill. We look forward to working alongside Reps. Bonamici, Pocan, and Davids, and our LGBTQ+ pioneers nationwide to pass this legislation.”
The Elder Pride Act would establish a rural grant program designed to fund programs that provide:
- cultural competency training for service providers;
- connections between LGBTQI+ older adults and local service providers and community organizations;
- expanded use of nondiscrimination policies and community spaces for older adults who are members of the LGBTQI+ community or another protected class;
- resources on sexual health and aging, including for individuals with HIV, for senior service providers; and
- care or services to LGBTQI+ and seniors of other protected classes.
A fact sheet on the legislation can be found here, and the full text can be found here.
In addition to Representatives Bonamici, Pocan, and Davids, the legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Sean Casten (D-IL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Steven Horsford (D-.NV), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).
Congresswoman Bonamici is also leading the introduction of a resolution today to recognize Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day. National Honor Our LGBTQ+ Elders Day was established in 2015 to celebrate and commemorate the contributions of seniors who are members of the LGBTQI+ community. The full text of the resolution can be found here.
The resolution is cosponsored by Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Scott Peters (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mark Takano (D-CA), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Nikema Williams (D-GA).
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