Legislation Would Expand Care for LGBT Seniors, People With HIV

Washington, D.C., Councilmember Mary Cheh has introduced the first-ever legislation to better protect and support LGBT seniors and older adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the District of Columbia, reports Windy City Times . The bill adds such individuals to the roster of older D.C. residents who are considered to have the greatest social need under the Older Americans Act. This revision ensures that these populations have equal access to essential government aging services and programming. The bill also would set up a bill of rights for LGBT seniors and people living with HIV in long-term care. "Councilmember Cheh's legislation would ... ensure that LGBT older people and older people with HIV are protected from discrimination in long-term care, and that the people who serve them are culturally competent," notes SAGE Chief Executive Michael Adams.