Spirituality and LGBT Senior Justin Tanis, Graduate theological union

Who are LGBT people really? What do we know about ourselves? Gallup Poll, October 18, 2012, “Special Report: 3.4% of U.S. Adults Identify as LGBT: Inaugural Gallup findings based on more than 120,000 interviews by Gary J. Gates and Frank Newport

Race “Overall, a third of LGBT-identifiers are nonwhite (33%), compared with 27% of non-LGBT individuals.”

gender “more than 53% of LGBT individuals are women.”

age “LGBT identity declines with age” “Adults aged 18 to 29 (6.4%) are more than three times as likely as seniors aged 65 and older (1.9%) to identify as LGBT.”

education “ identification as LGBT is highest among Americans with the lowest levels of education -- contrary to what other, more limited, studies have shown”

income “35% of those who identify as LGBT report incomes of less than $24,000 a year, significantly higher than the 24% for the population in general.”

Standard of living “Nearly three-quarters of non-LGBT individuals (73%) say they are satisfied with their standard of living, compared with less than two-thirds (65%) of LGBT individuals.” Optimistic: “Nearly 59% of LGBT individuals say their standard of living is getting better, compared with less than half (49%) of non-LGBT men and women.”

children “About 32% of both non-LGBT women and LGBT women have children under 18 in the home. “ “LGBT men about half as likely as other men to have children in the home”

Children by race

regional “More accepting regions may attract LGBT people to move there. But it may also be the case that social acceptance in the East and West means that LGBT people are more willing to self-identify, because they feel less stigmatized by their identity.”

The Aging and Health Report 60% = baseline for 65+ in the US, based on ABCnews and Beliefnet survey, 2002 This pioneering project is a collaboration between 11 LGBT community aging agencies around the nation (see Community Partners page) and the Institute for Multigenerational Health at the University of Washington.

What are the implications? What are the (spiritual) implications? Poverty/economics Racism Children and family Connections with religious communities Diversity is a spiritual matter …

Spiritual needs of LGBT seniors Differences and commonalities

understandings Pastoral care and parish settings Research? Pastoral care books about seniors Studies of LGBT adults Wide range of perspectives

Three groups/three lenses Out for many years Newly out Followed religious guidance Lenses Impact of religious attitudes against LGBT people and activities Role of community Contribution of spirituality

Followed church guidance Impact of religious attitudes against LGBT people and activities Formed the basis of life choices Potential impacts: May feel it was a positive, moral choice May feel constricted or resentful May have internalized a sense of dis-ease or intolerance, which can be significant and severe

Followed church guidance Role of community Religious community may be more important than LGBT community May be intolerant of LGBT seniors

Followed church guidance Positive contributions of spirituality Spiritual sustenance of a life of faith Sense of purpose

Newly out Impact of religious attitudes against LGBT people and activities May be painfully aware of homophobia Could experience loss of or alienation from a community of faith May experience (realistic) fear of homophobia

Newly out Role of community/family Religious community and LGBT community May be seeking new levels of community involvement May need to integrate biological family with new identity

Newly out Positive contributions of spirituality Sense of exploration—new spiritual frontiers New identity and excitement

Out for many years Impact of religious attitudes against LGBT people and activities Potential alienation from communities of faith Higher levels of agnostic/atheist May be reluctant to seek services from faith-based social service programs May fear homophobia Potential separation from partners/friends—realistic fear Lack of compassionate care (avoidance)

Out for many years Role of community/family Friendship and relationship networks Positive communities of faith

Out for many years Positive contributions of spirituality Sense of self-identity and confidence Less tied to gender roles Strength

resources Communities of Faith LGBT-affirming Remaining within communities

resources LGBT Communities Less age-discriminating than the stereotype Extensive support networks Positive theology about LGBT people Increasing numbers of programs specifically for LGBT seniors

Conclusions Spiritual needs of LGBT seniors impacted by Ongoing negative attitudes of religious institutions Resilience and self-acceptance Strong sense of community and connection Be aware of partner(s) and friends Particularly at crisis points (access) Viewing love and bereavement as equal

Conclusions Positive LGBT communities and theologies LGBT seniors experience same life-span spiritual needs as their non-LGBT counterparts

Questions? Comments