Growing reports of violence and abuse, coupled with a lifetime of fear of discrimination, have state officials working with service providers to better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ seniors every time they reach out for help.
OUTSafe: The LGBTQ+ Older Adult Violence Prevention Training Program is free training being offered across Illinois to law enforcement, health care, social service and other providers who support and interact with LGBTQ+ older adults. The need is strong.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in Illinois, hate crimes based on sexual orientation have increased by almost seven times (from 2020 to 2022) and hate crimes based on gender identity have increased by more than four times over that same time period. Nearly 5 percent of Illinois’ population is LGBTQ+, yet the reported numbers drop as people reach 50 and older – likely because of fears they will be treated differently as they leave their homes for more assisted care. Emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and physical abuse are the most frequent challenges facing these seniors.
The OUTSafe program has been developed by AgeLinc, the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland serving central Illinois, and is funded through a state grant from State Sen. Doris Turner and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
Program organizers point to examples of the need for the program, such as a central Illinois man who struggled after moving into a long-term care facility. “When he moved into that community, he had to go back in the closet for fear of retaliation or discrimination,” said Scott Linde, Director of Development at AgeLinc. “And he lived there for six years as a straight man. And thank goodness his daughter bought a duplex and she let him move in on the other side. So he escaped that.”
OUTSafe is free competency and sensitivity training where law enforcement and other participants learn more about the unique needs of those in the LGBTQ+ senior community. They learn about appropriate language to use and how to offer safe spaces for these seniors to seek services and support they need without fear of discrimination or stigma.
The training serves as an introductory course on violence prevention and improved competency on LGBTQ+ relations. AgeLinc and its allies hope to reach hundreds of service providers in the coming months to take the training and more effectively reach and serve LGBTQ+ seniors.
“OUTSafe serves as a powerful reminder that there are many people in our communities who have experienced decades of pain, abuse or feeling like they don’t matter. That must end today,” said Carolyn Austin, CEO of AgeLinc. “We thank Sen. Turner, ICJIA, and our training partners and allies who will help us reach office, caseworkers, care workers and others to make LGBTQ+ seniors feel safer and more respected. This is vital work and we are ready for the challenge.”
Service providers interested in scheduling a training session can learn more at https://agelinc.org/lgbt-support/.
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