{"id":354802,"date":"2023-06-12T13:30:07","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T18:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/lgbtq-law\/lgbtq-older-adult.html"},"modified":"2026-05-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T05:00:00","slug":"lgbtq-older-adult","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/lgbtq-law\/lgbtq-older-adult.html","title":{"rendered":"LGBTQ+ Older Adults: Rights and Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n LGBTQ+ Older Adults: Rights and Resources\n <\/h1>\n \n LGBTQ+ older adults are aging in a time of expanded legal recognition, civil rights, and access to affirming services.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

LGBTQ+ older adults now benefit from clearer protections in areas like healthcare, housing, and family law. There are more legal safeguards in place to respect their identities and protect their relationships. Still, LGBTQ+ older adults face unique challenges<\/a> shaped by a lifetime of discrimination, limited legal protections, and reduced access to affirming care. Many came of age when being “out” was dangerous, which can affect their willingness to seek support and legal help today.<\/p>\n

In most research and advocacy, the term “LGBTQ+ older adult (OA)” is used to describe anyone aged 50 and older who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming.<\/p>\n

According to a May 2025 SAGE report<\/a>, there are approximately 3 million LGBTQ+ older adults living in the United States. This number is expected to grow to as many as 7 million as the LGBTQ+ community ages and grows.<\/p>\n

This section contains helpful resources and legal information for LGBTQ+ older people. Use the tiles below to navigate to the most relevant topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Legal Rights\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h2>\n \n