Four main challenges

1. Equality for older LGBTI people in EuropeVienna, 25 April 2013 Evelyne Paradis, ILGA-Europe, and Rachel Buchanan, AGE Platform Europe

2. Four main challenges • Social protection and derivedrights for same-sex couples • Healthcare • Isolation and social exclusion • Long-term care

3. Social protection • Lack of legal recognition of same-sex couples is a major source of financialinsecurity. • Marriage and registeredpartnerships in Europe. • CJEU case-law : Maruko (2008) and Römer (2011). • However, there are stillsomediscrepancies… • And therefore, itmaybenecessary to makespecific arrangements.

4. Access to healthcare • Mental health issues • Ireland, GLEN study, 2011 • Lack of research & knowledge • Reluctance to seekhealthcare • Ongoingpathologisation • Negativeexperienceswhenseekinghealthcare • Denial of visitation rights

5. Access to healthcare • Specific situation of transpeople • Diversity of trans people • Need to train healthcarepracticioners on specificconcerns of trans people (disclosure, long-term use of medicines, etc) • Specifc situation of intersex people • Lack of research • Againproblematic long-term use of medicines • Traumaticexperiences in relation to healthcare

6. Social exclusion and isolation • Difficulties to rely on family support vs. ‘families of choice’ • Mainstream services not inclusive enough • ‘LGBTI social events’ not inclusive of older LGBTI people

7. Long-term care • Reluctance towardsresidential care • Renouncing to one’sindependence • Needs of same-sex couples not accomodated • Harrassment by otherresidents and members of the staff • Concerns of trans people on respect of theirgenderidentity and expression • Lack of awareness on issues faced by intersex people

8. Long-term care • Receiving care at home • Need to rely on family support • Stillrisk of harrassment • ExclusivelyLGBTIresidential care • Not necessarilyaffordable • Does not contribute to an inclusive society

9. Good practices • Social exclusion : 50+ Pink NL Consortium has set up GSAs for older LGBTI people + a website. • Health : Age UK Oxfordshire hadprovided information and training on the needs and issues of older LGBT residentswithdementia. • Long-term care : 50+ Pink NL Consortium put in place a system allowingresidential care facilities to assess how ‘LGBTI-friendly’ theywere + an audit system thatdelivers a certificate to service providers respecting minimal requirements.

10. Good practices • Long-term care : Stonewall has published guidance on how care and support services can meet the needs of older LGB people. • Long-term care : The Spanish ‘Fundacion 26 de Diciembre’ is exploring possibilities of creating a residential care inclusive of older LGBTI people.

11. Recommendations to EU institutions • Adopt the directive on equaltreatmentbetweenpersonsirrespective of religion, disability, age and sexual orientation in the fields of social protection, social advantages, education, health, access to and supply of goods and services (proposed by the EC in 2008) • Monitor the implementation of the directive on equalaccess to goods and services between men and women (adopted in 2004) and ensurethatoldertrans and intersex people do have access to services and care available to older people. • In the framework of itspolicy on active ageing, the EC shouldfacilitate best practices exchange.

12. Recommendations to public authorities • Respect and promote article 23 of the revisedEuropean Social Charter whichrequiresitssignatories to • « enableelderlypersons to choosetheir life-style freely and to lead independentlives in theirfamiliarsourroundings for as long as theywish and are able ». • « guaranteeelderlypersons living in institutions appropriate support, whilerespectingtheirprivacy, and participation in decisionsconcerning living conditions in the institution ».

13. Recommendations to public authorities • Expresselymandate equality bodies to investigate multiple discrimination and make sure thatolder people are able to report abuses and discriminatory practices. • Ensurethat public healthcampaignstargettingolder people reflect the needs of older LGBTI people as well. • Medical curricula shouldaddresshealthneeds of older LGBTI people. Training shoudalsobeprovided to informal and professionalcarers.

14. Recommendations to public authorities • Support initiatives aimingat setting-up self-organisedfacilities for older people. • Make sure that succession rights and joint tenancies are available for all couples and provide information to older LGBTI people on possibilities of passing theirbenefits, assets and inheritance to theirsurvivingpartner.

15. To health and care services providers • Avoidpresuming the sexual orientation and genderidentity of theirusers. • Ensureolder LGBTI users have stipulatedwhoistheirnext of kin. • Organise training for care staff on how to address the needs of LGBTI people (inclusive language, respect for privacy, confidentiality and autonomy). • Create or joinqualityframeworks, labels or charters. • Display in theirleafletspictures of older LGBTI users and commitments about their LGBTI friendlypolicy. • Make sure thatthey have the necessary information on long termeffects of medicinestaken by oldertrans and intersex people.

16. Recommendations to NGOs • Aknowledge the diversityamongtheirmembers! • LGBTI rights organisations to reach out to older LGBTI people and takeadvantage of a deeperintergenerational dialogue. • Encourage a programme of friendlyvisits to olderLGBTI people and set up GSAs for older people. • Encourage older LGBTI people (but alsotheirfamilies and residential care facilities’ staff and users) to report discriminatory practices affectingolder LGBTI people.

17. Thankyou!