Legal Blog
The Intersection of Elder Law and LGBT Issues
The Washington Post recently reported on discrimination faced by aging members of the LGBT community in receiving elder care. According to the article, there will be around 7 million members of the LGBT community by 2030, and about 4.7 million of them will need elder care and services. It is important that elder law attorneys and care professionals be aware of not just overt discrimination, but unique challenges faced by this community. For example, many older members of the LGBT community may not have children or may be estranged from their family members. As a result, they may be more isolated and vulnerable. The article cites concerns about the need for older LGBT adults to hide their identity to find suitable housing and reports instances of neglect and harassment when an LGBT patient depends on others for care. The article also cites less obvious, but no less important, concerns, such as care providers asking an LGBT patient when her husband will be visiting, or consulting biological family members instead of partners on treatment decisions.
It is important for elder law attorneys, care providers, and loved ones of older members of the LGBT community to be aware of these issues and address proactively how to guard against such issues.
If you have questions about Child Custody, Guardianship or any other Family Law issue please contact Catherine H. “Kate” McQueen at (240) 507-1718 or kmcqueen@offitkurman.com.
ABOUT KATE MCQUEEN
kmcqueen@offitkurman.com | 240-507-1718
Catherine H. “Kate” McQueen is a family lawyer and principal in Offit Kurman’s Bethesda office and is licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Ms. McQueen focuses her practice on the many legal issues that impact families, including all the issues arising out of a divorce, such as custody, child support, alimony, and other financial and property issues. She also has extensive experience in guardianship matters for children and incapacitated adults, including assisting clients in petitioning for guardianship, serving as court-appointed counsel for alleged disabled persons, and serving as court-appointed guardian for individuals when their family members or friends are unwilling or unable to do so.
ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN
Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing full-service law firms in the United States. With over 200 attorneys in 14 offices that stretch from New York to North Carolina, we represent privately-held companies and families of wealth throughout their business life cycles. Our mission is to provide our clients with “The Better Way” to grow their organizations, protect their businesses’ and families’ wealth, and resolve their most challenging legal conflicts. In addition to our quality of attorneys and breadth of legal services, Offit Kurman is distinguished by our unique operational structure, which encourages collaboration rather than internal competition. The same approach that makes our firm attractive to legal practitioners gives clients unlimited access to experienced counsel in every area of the law. Trust, Knowledge, Confidence—in a partner, that’s perfect.
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