Whether navigating end-of-life issues, selecting a safe assisted-living facility, or simply drafting a will, LGBT seniors are entitled to fully equality and basic protections, and access to services and information to make critical decisions.
In 1999, NCLR was the first LGBT legal organization to launch a permanent Elder Law Project as the first wave of baby boomers became senior citizens. The Elder Law Project advocates for policies and legislation to protect the medical and financial rights of LGBT elders, and educates the professionals who are charged with assisting them.
news & opinion
Press Release
NCLR Releases New Publication for LGBT Elders
Planning with Purpose: Legal Basics for LGBT Elders points the way on legal issues
07.06.09—Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) released a new publication to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders and their families and caregivers navigate legal issues. Planning with Purpose: Legal Basics for LGBT Elders provides basic information about select areas of the law that are important to LGBT elders, especially individuals and couples who are age 55 and over, based on NCLR’s experience advocating for LGBT elders. This guide includes information about issues related to relationship recognition, finances, health care, long term care, planning for the care of minor or disabled children, inheritance, elder abuse, and discrimination against LGBT elders. It covers many of areas where rights, benefits, and protections are generally provided to heterosexual people based on spousal status, but are denied to same-sex couples, even if married or in other legal unions. It also highlights issues unique to transgender elders.
Press Release
Union Changes Policy to Provide Equal Pension Benefits to Domestic Partners
After two-year struggle, gay man receives deceased partner's pension benefits
08.27.07 — Today, NCLR announced a victory on behalf of NCLR client Marvin Burrows, the surviving partner of William Swenor, in Burrows' two-year struggle to receive Swenor's pension benefits from the Industrial Employers and Distributors Association and Warehouse Union (ILWU).
Press Release
NCLR Elder Law Project Teams up With Old Dyke Awards for Pat Bond Memorial
06.14.07 — Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) announced the Seventh Annual Pat Bond Memorial Old Dyke Awards Benefit, a Bay Area lesbian cultural event taking place on Saturday, October 27, 2007. Held in the memory of beloved comedienne, monologist, and playwright Pat Bond, a lesbian who, in her fifties, began her stage career, the event is intended to keep lesbian history alive and to recognize contributions that lesbians age 60+ have achieved in their lifetime.
from the docket
Pending (Colorado)
Demers v. Zupancic
Marilynn Zupancic and her former partner Dianne were together for 30 years and planned on spending the rest of their lives together. Although they could not legally marry in their home state of Colorado, Marilynn and Dianne were partners in every respect. Marilynn, a teacher, supported Dianne while she was in graduate school, and they took out a mortgage on their jointly-owned home so that Dianne could pay off her school loans. In 2007, their relationship ended.
Victory! (California)
Burrows v. ILWU
Marvin Burrows and his partner William Swenor were together for 51 years. Burrows and Swenor did everything within their power to demonstrate their commitment to each other and to provide for the surviving partner in the event of one partner's death, including registering as domestic partners. Swenor worked as a warehouse crew leader for more than 35 years. Throughout Swenor's employment, he was a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and contributed to their pension plan.
Victory! (Florida)
Lewis & Ortiz-Taylor v. Westminster Oaks Retirement Community
NCLR clients Sheila Ortiz-Taylor and Joy Lewis reached a confidential settlement with Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Inc., a national chain of retirement communities.
publications & downloads
Lifelines: Documents to Protect You and Your Family (pdf)
This publication contains information about essential documents that will help you protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of illness, disability, or death.
Planning with Purpose: Legal Basics for LGBT Elders (pdf)
This guide provides basic information about select areas of the law that are important to LGBT elders, especially individuals and couples who are age 55 and over, based on NCLR’s experience advocating for LGBT elders. Written for LGBT elders and their families and caregivers, it includes information about issues related to relationship recognition, finances, health care, long term care, planning for the care of minor or disabled children, inheritance, elder abuse, and discrimination against LGBT elders. Planning with Purpose covers many of areas where rights, benefits, and protections are generally provided to heterosexual people based on spousal status, but are denied to same-sex couples, even if married or in other legal unions. Where there are particular considerations for transgender people, this guide notes them. Throughout, this publication recommends securing competent legal counsel with experience in LGBT and elder law issues, and emphasizes that advance planning is key.
Legal and Public Policy Issues for Transgender Elders (pdf)
Transgender elders face unique and often extreme forms of discrimination. They are denied medical care, excluded from housing and social services, and despised simply for being who they are.