ST. GEORGE — A new Utah group that helps senior LGBTQ members reduce isolation and increase community support has opened a chapter in Southern Utah.
Seniors Out and Proud Executive Director Deb Hall said it’s a significant and nuanced category of seniors. Hall said there has been a lot of historical discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
“Also, as we know, marriage equality didn’t always exist. And people are likely aging alone. LGBTQ+ seniors are about four times more likely to be aging alone and are two times more likely to have never had a family,” Hall told St. George News. “So we’ve never had children or grandchildren.”
Hall is passionate about working with the aging population. She has done senior work in many capacities. Hall has worked with the Alzheimer’s Association and various boards for seniors like the Utah Commission on Aging, the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia council and the Department of Aging and Adult Services. She has also worked in hospice, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and memory care neighborhoods.
Initially, Hall was working for a national organization called SAGE, a service and advocacy for gay and lesbian elders. That organization was over 50 years old but then disbanded local chapters. So Hall decided to form the Seniors Loud and Proud group. […]
Click here to read the full piece. This story was originally published by St. George News on October 5, 2023.
