For many aging people who identify as LGBTQ+, Canada’s history of stigma and discrimination is a lived experience.

There was criminalization. There were outings and job losses. The psychiatric disorder classification. Today’s seniors who belong to a gender or sexual minority remember.

Michael Phair is a former Edmonton city councilor and is involved with the Edmonton Pride Seniors Group. He was in Red Deer yesterday, speaking at a panel discussion hosted by the Golden Circle on LGBTQ+ and aging.

According to Phair, LGBTQ+ seniors are wary of attitudes that might still be held by those in their peer group. It means they’re cautious about revealing too much about themselves.

“It also means people tend to isolate themselves a bit … maybe don’t seem to be as social as other people are,” Phair says.

“(Because) knowing how it feels to be ostracized or to be picked on or bullied or called names or possibly physically punched.”

Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Seniors and Housing brought greetings to Golden Circle's panel discussion on LGBTQ+ and aging in Red Deer.

There are 35,000 seniors in Alberta who identify as LGBTQ+. That number is set to rise as the population ages. Providing spaces and services that are inclusive and safe is an emerging issue.

Phair says LGBTQ+ seniors want facilities with policies that prohibit bullying and discrimination; when the time comes, they want their partners to be respected as primary caregivers. Bottom line, they want to be respected for their identity, he says.

“They need to be assured of welcoming spaces and people who have understanding and are open and welcoming,” Phair says.