Recently the oldest advocacy group for LGBT seniors, SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders), revealed the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and several foundations. Ten other groups, including the American Society on Aging, are also contributing.

The hope is that it will become a clearinghouse for information, personal stories and services for seniors and the organizations devoted to them. But no one knows yet exactly what it is they want and need to know. Filling in the blanks will take place over the next year. Do your part to make sure it includes information for LGBT seniors who are homeless or facing homelessness — take a few seconds to tell the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging to include info on homelessness!

This is important for two reasons: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are more susceptible to homelessness and seniors are increasingly ending up without a permanent home. Put the two together and, well, grandma and grandma are vulnerable. In fact, the number of homeless senior citizens is expected to rise by a third in the next ten years and jump 54 percent by 2050.

Photo credit: Ed Yourdon