Federal Government Awards $380,000 Grant for Seniors Services to L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

Federal Government Awards $380,000 Grant for Seniors Services to L.A. Gay &
Lesbian Center
First Federal Grant to Directly Support LGBT Seniors Will Help Center Better
Serve Growing Needs of People 50+

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Administration on
Aging has given the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center an historic three-year grant,
valued at $380,000 in the first year, to expand its Seniors Services
Department, one of the Center's fastest growing programs. It's the first such
award to an LGBT organization.

The much-needed funds will enable the Center to better meet the unique needs
of the growing number of LGBT people over the age of 50, many of whom feel
lonely or isolated because they are closeted about their sexual orientation or
gender identity and because few have the support of children or other family
members.

"Studies show that at least two-thirds of gay and lesbian seniors live alone
and 90 percent of them have no children to support them," said Lorri L. Jean,
chief executive officer of the Center. "The informal caregiving that families
provide is frequently not there for these seniors. That's why the Center's
services for LGBT seniors are so important and why we're so grateful the
federal government is supporting us in serving this population."

The funds will help the Center enable LGBT seniors to remain in their homes as
they age, without relocating to an assisted-living facility or nursing home,
by accessing a variety of support services that are LGBT-sensitive. The grant
will also fund the addition of two new staff people, including a case manager.

"We're seeing a growing demand for services by LGBT seniors as the Baby
Boomers hit retirement age,'' said Arielle Rosen, director of the Center's
Senior Services Department. "Most LGBT seniors don't feel comfortable at
traditional senior centers and come to us for support and assistance. More and
more of them are finding it difficult to pay their bills, and some are even at
risk of being homeless after losing their lifelong partner, along with his or
her Social Security benefits."

Alice, 73, recently contacted the Center in distress after the death of her
partner of more than 40 years. She was facing imminent eviction because,
without the couple's combined Social Security benefits, she could no longer
afford to maintain their residence. Because the federal government does not
recognize same-sex relationships, there are no benefits for the surviving
spouse.

Without these survivor benefits - something heterosexual seniors take for
granted - many LGBT seniors must scramble to make ends meet at a time when
they're emotionally vulnerable and most in need. Fortunately for Alice, the
Center was able to help her find a new home and she has become an active
participant in the Center's grief and loss support group.

"For many years, the LGBT community's programs for our elders have been
ignored and shut out by federal funders," said Michael Adams, executive
director of Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE). "It's a major
breakthrough for the Obama Administration to right that wrong as a matter of
policy and take an important step forward in recognizing the needs of LGBT
older adults."

The Center's Senior Services Department provides a full slate of activities to
enrich the lives and address the needs of LGBT seniors, including support
groups, dinners, cultural excursions and weekly exercise, writing computer and
art classes. The department also refers seniors to other Center services such
as counseling, legal services and self-enrichment courses.

The Center is uniquely situated to provide these services, given the large
population of LGBT seniors in Los Angeles and the Center's proximity to
Triangle Square, built and operated by Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing as the
nation's first affordable housing facility for LGBT seniors.

About the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Since 1971 the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
has been building the health, advocating for the rights and enriching the
lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Our wide array of
services and programs includes: free HIV/AIDS care and medications for those
most in need; housing, food, clothing and support for homeless LGBT youth;
low-cost counseling and addiction-recovery services; essential services for
LGBT-parented families and seniors; legal services; health education and HIV
prevention programs; transgender services; cultural arts and much more. Visit
us on the Web at: www.lagaycenter.org.

SOURCE L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

Thomas Soule, +1-323-993-7622