Growing trans population sparks need for senior housing geared to LGBTQ+ community
As a wave of new state laws limit transgender people’s rights, many seniors have new uncertainty about their own futures.
Morgan Mayfaire, a transgender man, second from left, hosts a community gathering for a food distribution event at TransSOCIAL, Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Miami. “I have friends that have retired and they’ve decided to move to retirement communities. And then, little by little, they’ve found that they’re not welcome there,” says Mayfaire.
Rajee Narinesingh, a transgender woman, holds a photograph of herself as a child, Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In spite of several roadblocks, the 56-year-old Florida actress and activist has seen growing acceptance since she first came out decades ago.
Rajee Narinesingh speaks about her life during an interview at her home, Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Narinesingh, 56, faced struggles throughout her life as a transgender woman, from trying to get government documents like passports to the lasting effects of black market silicone injections that scarred her face.
Tiffany Arieagus, a transgender woman, performs at The Pub, Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla. “I just am going on my 71 years on this earth and walking in the civil rights march with my mother at age six and then marching for gay rights," Arieagus says. "I’ve been blessed enough to see so many changes being made in the world. And then now I’m having to see these wonderful progressions going backwards.”
Andrea Montanez sits in her office in the Hope Community Center, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Apopka, Fla. Florida's law has already created obstacles for Montanez, an LGBTQ+ immigration organizer. Montanez, 57, said her prescription for hormone therapy was initially denied after the restrictions were signed.
Andrea Montanez sits in her office in the Hope Community Center, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Apopka, Fla. Florida's law has already created obstacles for Montanez, an LGBTQ+ immigration organizer. Montanez, 57, said her prescription for hormone therapy was initially denied after the restrictions were signed. “I hope I have a happy retirement, but health care is a big problem," Montanez says.
Rajee Narinesingh, a transgender woman, wipes away a tear as she speaks about her life during an interview at her home, Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Every now and then I have like this thought, like, oh my God, if I end up in a nursing home, how are they going to treat me?” Narinesingh says.
Rajee Narinesingh, a transgender woman, looks out from a doorway of her home, Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “If you see older transgender people, it shows the younger community that it’s possible I can have a life. I can live to an older age,” she says. “So I think that’s a very important thing.”
Tiffany Arieagus, a transgender woman, stands next to a photograph of herself after receiving an award at the opening reception of "Take PRIDE! A Retrospective of LGBTQ+ Life in South Florida" exhibit, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Arieagus, 71, an acclaimed drag performer in south Florida, also works in social services for SunServe, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit.
A collage features images of Tiffany Arieagus, a transgender woman. “I just am going on my 71 years on this earth and walking in the civil rights march with my mother at age six and then marching for gay rights," Arieagus says. "I’ve been blessed enough to see so many changes being made in the world. And then now I’m having to see these wonderful progressions going backwards.”
Tatiana Williams, 51, executive director of the Transinculsive Group, sits for a portrait in her office, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla. Williams, 51, has painful memories of a time when she and other members of the transgender community had to rely on dangerous and illegal sources for gender-affirming medical care. “What we don't want is the community resorting to going back to that,” Williams says.
Tatiana Williams, 51, a transgender woman, left, and Tiffany Arieagus, 71, a transgender woman, right, stand together for a photo at the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla.
A placard supporting transgender rights is shown at the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla.
Adrianna Tender, program coordinator for the Transinclusive Group, looks out from a float sponsored by several transgender groups during the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla. A battle over transgender people’s rights in the United States has focused attention mostly on youth. But for many transgender seniors, it’s brought new fears to their plans for retirement and old age.
Reading material and a placard sit on a table at the office of TransSOCIAL, Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Miami. The organization works to promote unity and increase transgender understanding in the community. About 171,000 of the more than 1.3 million transgender adults in the United States are aged 65 and older, according to numbers compiled by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.
A speaker wears shoes advocating for love, peace and freedom during the opening reception of "Take PRIDE! A Retrospective of LGBTQ+ Life in South Florida" exhibit, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
An American flag flies with a pride flag outside of a home in Wilton Manors, Fla., Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Tiffany Arieagus, a transgender woman, second from left, rides on a float during the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla. Arieagus, 71, is an acclaimed drag performer in south Florida also works in social services for SunServe, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit.
A spectator waves pride flags during the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla.
Lee Forte, a resident at Stonewall Gardens pauses while playing Bingo in the LGBTQ+ assisted living facility, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif. A handful of states, including California, have in recent years enacted laws to ensure that LGBTQ+ seniors have equal access to programs for aging populations and requiring training on how to serve that community.
Lauren Kabakoff Vincent, right, interim executive director of Stonewall Gardens, talks with resident Billy Kurch at the LGBTQ+ assisted living facility, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif. The center's staff are required to go through sensitivity training to help make the center a more welcoming environment for residents, Vincent says. The training is key for making a more accepting environment for transgender residents and making them feel more at home.
John Schmidt, center, joins fellow residents in a game of Bingo at Stonewall Gardens, a LGBTQ+ assisted living facility, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif. The number of services such as nursing homes and assisted living centers that are geared toward serving the LGBTQ+ community is increasing, though such facilities remain uncommon.
Stonewall Gardens employee Brian Trout, second from left, leads a game of Bingo with residents of the LGBTQ+ assisted living facility, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif.
Robert Lopez, right, a driver for Stonewall Gardens, opens a door for resident Alex Smariga at the LGBTQ+ assisted living facility, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif. About 171,000 of the more than 1.3 million transgender adults in the United States are aged 65 and older, according to numbers compiled by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.
Resident Alex Smariga walks past a pride flag while returning from a physical therapy session at Stonewall Gardens, a LGBTQ+ assisted living facility, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif. The number of services such as nursing homes and assisted living centers that are geared toward serving the LGBTQ+ community is increasing, though such facilities remain uncommon.
Resident Billy Church, in wheelchair, is helped into a van headed for a group lunch at Stonewall Gardens, a LGBTQ+ assisted living facility, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Palm Springs, Calif. About 171,000 of the more than 1.3 million transgender adults in the United States are aged 65 and older, according to numbers compiled by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.
Tiffany Arieagus, a transgender woman, right, applies make-up before participating in the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Wilton Manors, Fla. Arieagus, 71, is an acclaimed drag performer in south Florida also works in social services for SunServe, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit. At left is Tatiana Williams, the executive director of Transinclusive.
Morgan Mayfaire, a transgender man, right, walks with his wife, Ashley, Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami. Mayfaire, 64, is the executive director of TransSOCIAL, a Florida support and advocacy group.
"Studies are out there that we eat healthier surrounded with people who eat healthy," one nutrition consultant said. "And older adults are a vulnerable population."