The Washington, DC, Council approved an antidiscrimination bill to protect LGBT seniors and those aging with HIV who live in long-term care facilities, reports The Washington Blade.
Specifically, the bill, which was approved unanimously in its final vote, provides the rights and legal protections against discrimination by amending the city’s Human Rights Act of 1977. What’s more, the bill asks that the mayor interpret the term “greatest social need,” as outlined under the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, to include LGBT and HIV-positive seniors.
However, according to the Blade, the district’s chief financial officer said the city lacks the funding to enforce the nondiscrimination bill. Supporters of the bill counter that the required amount is small in terms of the city’s budget—enforcement costs slightly more than $100,000 per year—and that the mayor could reallocate funds for this purpose.
Mayor Muriel Bowser is expected to sign the bill before it goes to Congress for review.
The Residences at Equality Park in Wilton Manors, FloridaFacebook/The Pride Center
Meanwhile, a new affordable care center being built for LGBT seniors in Wilton Manors, Florida, is taking into consideration the needs of older people living with HIV. The Residences at Equality Park has set aside 34 units (70%) for low-income seniors with disabilities, such as those related to aging with HIV.
When completed, the Residences will have about 120 to 130 units. The Residences is a collaboration between the Pride Center at Equality Park—a community center that provides meetings, linkage to health care, HIV testing, entertainment and more—and Carrfour, which develops nonprofit affordable housing in Florida.
Below is a video highlighting affordable homes for LGBT seniors in Wilton Manors.
In related news, see the POZ features “HIV and Your Overall Health” and “Aging Positively,” and watch a recording of the POZ at Home discussion on “HIV and Aging.”
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