Senator asks Oireachtas to consider the need for LGBTQI nursing homes

The Oireachtas has been asked to to consider whether there is a need for “sensitive and respectful” nursing homes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people.

Senator Fintan Warfield made the request, saying that the first generation of LGBTQI people affected by the legalisation of homosexuality in 1993 were now ageing and feared falling back into discrimination at the weakest and most vulnerable time of their lives.

The Sinn Féin senator said a study commissioned by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen) had found significant levels of concern among non-heterosexuals that they would not be respected, that they would not have specific lesbian and gay accommodation, and that they would face service providers who displayed prejudice and discrimination in behaviour and attitudes.

Mr Warfield raised the issue at the Oireachtas Committee on Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and elaborated on it later when contacted by The Irish Times. He said that while transgender people in particular had concerns, including anxiety, fear and resentment of services that might not be responsive to their needs as they got older, many other non-heterosexuals also had similar concerns.

Glen survey

The Glen survey to which Mr Warfield referred is an academic study carried out among Ireland’s non-heterosexual community, commissioned by Glen with the support of the Health Service Executive, Trinity College Dublin, and Age and Opportunity’s Get Vocal project.

International research quoted in the study cited instances of older non-heterosexuals facing staff who would avoid physical contact or even refuse treatment.

Mr Warfield said the study had shown that 42 per cent of non-heterosexuals had expressed concern at potential discrimination in services provided by religious orders. He said the same percentage had also expressed concern at poor quality of services in hotels, B&Bs and restaurants.

While the study was first published in 2011, Mr Warfield said it was now particularly relevant as the numbers of gay people who were “out and ageing” were rising.

Mr Warfield asked members of the Oireachtas committee to consider if there was a need for “sensitive and respectful” nursing homes to cater for the specific needs of the community.

Mr Warfield was supported by Justin Moran of Age Action Ireland, who told the committee his own organisation’s research had indicated consideration should be given to “sheltered housing options” for the elderly, where “different cultures may be accommodated”.