West PDX Today

WASHINGTON, DC – On May 24, 2023, during Older Americans Month,Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Becca Balint (D-VT), and Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) introduced legislation to help LGBTQI+ seniors access needed care and services.

The Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act would help overcome barriers faced by many LGBTQI+ seniors by decreasing isolation, improving health, and increasing access to culturally competent services and supports through programs provided by the Older Americans Act. Decades of marginalization and legal and institutional barriers have left LGBTQI+ seniors with fewer sources of support, higher poverty rates, increased social isolation, and inadequate access to health care.

The legislation is named for Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz, long-time advocates for LGBTQI+ equality. Connie fought for the rights of LGBTQI+ older adults until her death in 2018. Ruthie, her widow, continues to serve as a champion for the cause.

“It is unacceptable that decades of discrimination have left many LGBTQI+ seniors without the support and resources they need to stay healthy as they age,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “I’m grateful for Ruthie and Connie’s advocacy on behalf of LGBTQI+ seniors, and I’m glad to lead this legislation in their honor so everyone can access the care and services they need without discrimination.”

“I'm proud to join Reps. Bonamici and Frost in uplifting the needs of LGBTQ+ seniors and celebrating the work of Ruthie Herman and Connie Kurtz,” said Congresswoman Becca Balint. “LGBTQ+ seniors need our support in particular because of historic discrimination and bias against our community. We owe it to them to ensure they have access to the care and services they need.”

“Like all Americans, our LGBTQ+ elders deserve to be able to live their golden years with the peace and security of quality, affordable care and a community that loves and respects them,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “In honor of the incredible work of Florida’s own Ruth and Connie, we must act as LGBTQ+ seniors face poverty and isolation to ensure they can live their lives free of discrimination.”

The legislation is endorsed by: Congressional Equality Caucus, SAGE, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Center for Lesbian Rights, interACT, AIDS United, National Minority AIDS Council, Justice in Aging, and MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.

“All older people, including LGBTQ+ older people, deserve to be able to age in their community, with necessary services and supports,” said SAGE CEO Michael Adams. “We commend Rep. Bonamici, Balint, and Frost on reintroducing the Ruthie and Connie LGBTQ+ Elder Americans Act. We celebrate Ruthie Berman’s passionate advocacy and eagerly anticipate working alongside her and other LGBTQ+ trailblazers nationwide to pass this bill."

The Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act would:

• Include LGBTQI+ older adults among women, rural, and racial and ethnic minorities as a population with the greatest economic and social needs under OAA;
• Permanently establish the National Resource Center on LGBTQI Aging to provide critical resources, information, and tools for aging service providers to better address the needs of LGBTQI+ seniors;
• Require the Assistant Secretary of Aging to oversee data collection for LGBTQI+ adults, their needs, and efficacy of state aging resources to meet those needs.
• Require the long-term care ombudsman to collect and analyze data regarding LGBTQI+ discrimination; and,
• Prioritize grants for organizations working to improve LGBTQI+ health, long-term care, and access to culturally responsive services.

The legislation in the House is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Clay Higgins (D-NY), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Henry "Hank" Johnson (D-GA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Linda Sánchez  (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Nikema Williams (D-GA).

A fact sheet about the legislation can be found here, and the text of the legislation can be found here.

Bonamici also led a resolution to recognize Honor Our LGBT Elders Day earlier this month. She Chairs the Congressional LGBTQI+ Equality Caucus’ LGBTQI+ Aging Issues Task Force, and led the last bipartisan update to the Older Americans Act.

Original source can be found here.