❓ Are we facing a trans ageing crisis?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Around 1 in 200 Americans aged 65 and over are trans.

πŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ As the first generation of trans people reaches old age, healthcare systems are unprepared.

🌈 For #TransAwarenessWeek, we spoke to trans people about growing old. 🧡
πŸ”΄ Social isolation
πŸ”΄ Housing discrimination
πŸ”΄ Lack of safe medical spaces
πŸ”΄ ...and much more.

πŸ‘΅ The challenges trans elders face are often similar to those faced by trans people of all ages, but exacerbated as they get older, says Kylie Madhav, senior director at @sageusa.
πŸ“½οΈ Elizabeth Coffey was a star in the early films of cult film-maker John Waters.

πŸ₯ While breaking ground for trans representation on screen, she faced rejection when seeking medical care.

πŸ’Š Later in life, hormone replacement therapy has caused issues, she told @Openly.
🩺 "Very few people have to call their new doctor and ask if they're going to respect me for who I am."

✈️ Randi Robertson is a U.S. Air Force veteran and now works as a commercial pilot, but is scared about what lies ahead when she might not be fully independent.
πŸ₯ More than one out of 10 hospitals in the U.S. are faith-based, according to the @ahahospitals.

πŸ₯Ό Often based in rural areas where alternatives are limited, some trans elders might have no other option than to access care where they might not be accepted.
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ But across America, trans people are establishing close-knit networks where information about affirming doctors and care is being shared.

🚫 In a @LambdaLegal study, almost one-fifth of trans people reported being refused care outright by medical providers.
🏠 Trans elders are more likely to need residential care as chronic illnesses and high rates of mental health issues are linked to discrimination.

πŸ’΅ With an ageing trans population, there are also increasing opportunities to fill the gap in the market.
openlynews.com/i/?id=4ad6f631…
πŸ”΄ However, growing older is not just about facing medical issues.

🚨 At an average age of 52, women already start to feel invisible, according to a @gransnet survey..

πŸ§“ Being part of an often stigmatised minority can lead to an even deeper feeling of being overlooked.
πŸ—£οΈ The situation for trans elders depends on geographies, says Madhav.

πŸ“„ In 2017, California passed a bill that would protect LGBTQ+ people in long-term care facilities – but it was struck down.

πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ @POTUS has vowed to protect LGBTQ+ people against healthcare discrimination.
❓ So, what needs to be done?

πŸ“’ Coffey has a clear message: "I'm tired of thoughts and prayers. I want action and legislation."
πŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ Do you know what services are available for trans elders where you live?

πŸ‘‡ Share with us below!

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More from @Openly

Nov 16
πŸ† Nominations for the #GRAMMYs are out!

πŸŽ™οΈ @kimpetras, @ladygaga and @RandyRainbow are among the many #LGBTQ+ artists nominated for the 2023 Awards.

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Oct 19
πŸ’­ Do you know how to use gender-neutral pronouns in your native tongue?

πŸ—£οΈ On #InternationalPronounsDay, we're taking a deep-dive into non-binary pronouns in a range of languages.

🌍 Join us on a linguistic trip around the world.
πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Έ Spanish

Pronouns, nouns and adjectives are gendered in Spanish.

The suffixes -o and -a are the most common gender markers, but many non-binary people now replace them with an -e instead.

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ English

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While you've probably heard of the increasingly popular 'they/them' as alternative pronouns, others are also becoming popular.

Many use neo-pronouns, including 'xe', 'ze' and 'co'. People protesting for trans and non-binary rights
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Oct 8
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡· Welcome to Lesbos, Greece.

πŸ‘©β€β€οΈβ€πŸ‘© The Greek island is inhabited by 115,000 Lesbians, but has also given its name to women loving women worldwide.

🌈 For #InternationalLesbianDay, let's take a look at the history of the word "lesbian". 🧡 Photo of harbour on LesbosPainting of Sappho
πŸ›οΈ From the Iliad to the Odyssey, Lesbos has had a central part in Ancient Greek history.

βœ’οΈ One of its most famous inhabitants was the 6th century B.C. poet Sappho, whose lyrical poems explored her love of women and their beauty – sometimes even venturing into the erotic. Fresco of Sappho
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Oct 7
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πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ It's #BlackHistoryMonth in the UK and we're looking at those who shaped Black British queer history - and those still changing the world today.

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🚨 America's most frequently banned books are LGBTQ+.

πŸ“š U.S. schools banned more than 674 titles in the past year featuring LGBTQ+ themes or characters, @PENamerica found.

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Sep 23
🌈 Today we celebrate #BiVisibilityDay!

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