Discrimination on the grounds of age and sexual orientation
Double discrimination
AGE, the European Older People’s Platform, provides an overview of
Double discrimination
AGE, the European Older People’s Platform, provides an overview of
issues faced by older LGBT people in Europe and identifies how
organisation addressing discrimination on the grounds of age and
sexuality could work together to tackle multiple discrimination.
Although people over 50 years of age make-up a large and diverse
section of the European Union’s population, making a considerable
economic and social contributions to society, they face discrimination
Although people over 50 years of age make-up a large and diverse
section of the European Union’s population, making a considerable
economic and social contributions to society, they face discrimination
in many parts of their lives, based on age combined sometimes with
other grounds of discrimination such as gender, race, disability
and/or sexual orientation.
Age discrimination is experienced as a difference in treatment, the
denial of rights, opportunities, and the use of stereotypical images of
individuals solely on the grounds of their chronological age. It affects
people of all ages, although it is experienced by older people in
particular. Age discrimination is based on ageism, the use of
stereotypical assumptions about the nature and capability of
Age discrimination is experienced as a difference in treatment, the
denial of rights, opportunities, and the use of stereotypical images of
individuals solely on the grounds of their chronological age. It affects
people of all ages, although it is experienced by older people in
particular. Age discrimination is based on ageism, the use of
stereotypical assumptions about the nature and capability of
individuals of specific ages. It is also manifest in a negative
construction of the consequences of demographic ageing.
Age discrimination is apparent in many areas of society: employment
and income levels, access to health, education and financial services,
participation in policy making and civil dialogue and in the allocation of
resources and facilities. It exists in all EU Member States in various forms
and is often not acknowledged. Multiple discrimination affects many
older people including older women, older people from minority ethnic
communities, older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
(LGBT) and older people with disabilities.
The EU and its Member States have identified ageing as one of the key
economic and social challenges to be faced. Since the 1997 Treaty of
Amsterdam, the EU has been committed to fight discrimination on the
grounds of age, race and ethnicity, disability, religion or belief and sexual
orientation, in addition to the established commitment to gender
equality. In this context the EU has a transnational Anti-Discrimination
Action Programme (2000-2006), as well as two legislative instruments:
the Framework Directive on equal treatment in employment and
occupation, and the Directive against racial and ethnic discrimination.
Since 2003 these Directives have not only to be transposed but also
implemented by the Member States. However Member State
governments vary greatly in their responses. A few have adopted a
comprehensive approach to all forms of age discrimination, others are
concentrating entirely on employment, some have adopted legislation
without promoting the necessary cultural change and others show a
lack of political will to tackle discrimination .
Because of important limitations of the current national and EU
Age discrimination is apparent in many areas of society: employment
and income levels, access to health, education and financial services,
participation in policy making and civil dialogue and in the allocation of
resources and facilities. It exists in all EU Member States in various forms
and is often not acknowledged. Multiple discrimination affects many
older people including older women, older people from minority ethnic
communities, older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
(LGBT) and older people with disabilities.
The EU and its Member States have identified ageing as one of the key
economic and social challenges to be faced. Since the 1997 Treaty of
Amsterdam, the EU has been committed to fight discrimination on the
grounds of age, race and ethnicity, disability, religion or belief and sexual
orientation, in addition to the established commitment to gender
equality. In this context the EU has a transnational Anti-Discrimination
Action Programme (2000-2006), as well as two legislative instruments:
the Framework Directive on equal treatment in employment and
occupation, and the Directive against racial and ethnic discrimination.
Since 2003 these Directives have not only to be transposed but also
implemented by the Member States. However Member State
governments vary greatly in their responses. A few have adopted a
comprehensive approach to all forms of age discrimination, others are
concentrating entirely on employment, some have adopted legislation
without promoting the necessary cultural change and others show a
lack of political will to tackle discrimination .
Because of important limitations of the current national and EU
antidiscrimination legislative framework, in particular for older
people, there is an urgent need to develop practical approaches
to mainstreaming equality and diversity in the provision of goods
and services.
While AGE is primarily concerned with the situation of older people and
ageing issues in society, it recognises that LGBT people are affected by
ageism and face multiple discrimination when they grow old. The rapid
ageing of the European population makes it even more urgent to
address the multiple discrimination faced by older LGBT people.
For that reason AGE organised a plenary session on the issue of multiple
discrimination at its General Assembly 2005, which included a
presentation on age and sexual orientation.
While concerns expressed by LGBT people about ageing are often the
same as other older people typically report, AGE experience shows
several issues that are particularly important for this group:
Housing
Similarly to other older persons, older LGBT people who become
dependent may need residential or institutional care. When most
While AGE is primarily concerned with the situation of older people and
ageing issues in society, it recognises that LGBT people are affected by
ageism and face multiple discrimination when they grow old. The rapid
ageing of the European population makes it even more urgent to
address the multiple discrimination faced by older LGBT people.
For that reason AGE organised a plenary session on the issue of multiple
discrimination at its General Assembly 2005, which included a
presentation on age and sexual orientation.
While concerns expressed by LGBT people about ageing are often the
same as other older people typically report, AGE experience shows
several issues that are particularly important for this group:
Housing
Similarly to other older persons, older LGBT people who become
dependent may need residential or institutional care. When most
senior residences welcome couples, the persistence of homophobic
attitudes of staff and residents may often deter older LGBT people
from choosing this option. There is a need to promote non
discriminatory housing facilities open to all seniors in social policy.
Social protection
The lack of legal status for same-sex couples in some of the EU countries
is the main obstacle to guarantee LGBT people the same income and
employment derived rights as are available for heterosexual couples. For
example same sex partners are seldom eligible for survivors’ benefits in
state and private pension schemes; property inheritance rules do not
meet atypical situations of LGBT unmarried partners. These are the most
common examples of LGTB people’s discrimination which affect in
particular the older ones. This, in turn, affects negatively their economic
security.
Derived rights for unmarried couples
A full legal recognition for same-sex relationships across the EU is still
needed, as this would enable LGBT to claim their rights in a number of
areas such as pensions, insurance, inheritance child-care responsibility or
next of kin. While this lack of this legal status is discriminatory for all
LGBT, it has even a more negative impact on the older LGBT since this
Social protection
The lack of legal status for same-sex couples in some of the EU countries
is the main obstacle to guarantee LGBT people the same income and
employment derived rights as are available for heterosexual couples. For
example same sex partners are seldom eligible for survivors’ benefits in
state and private pension schemes; property inheritance rules do not
meet atypical situations of LGBT unmarried partners. These are the most
common examples of LGTB people’s discrimination which affect in
particular the older ones. This, in turn, affects negatively their economic
security.
Derived rights for unmarried couples
A full legal recognition for same-sex relationships across the EU is still
needed, as this would enable LGBT to claim their rights in a number of
areas such as pensions, insurance, inheritance child-care responsibility or
next of kin. While this lack of this legal status is discriminatory for all
LGBT, it has even a more negative impact on the older LGBT since this
is more often at old age that people have to cope with these
familyrelated issues.
Social exclusion
As older LGBT persons are more likely to live alone than other older
people, they may need special attention because they are more exposed
to risk of social exclusion, poor nutrition and depression.
Age-based discrimination versus
discrimination based on sexual orientation
Many LGBT people remain invisible within seniors’ organisations who
usually fail to investigate their needs. This is primarily due to the
prejudice many older people still have on the issue on sexual
orientation. At the same time older LGBT people have difficulties to be
recognised within their own lesbian and gay communities because of
their old age. With the ongoing recognition of LGBT people’s rights and
a greater openness within society, in particular among young people,
today’s young LGBT people should be able in the future to defend
better their citizens’ rights in old age but for today’s older LGBT this is
still a great challenge.
The issues raised above are far from exhaustive, and AGE would welcome
opportunities to develop a better understanding of the common
challenges AGE and ILGA-Europe face to advance the rights of older
Social exclusion
As older LGBT persons are more likely to live alone than other older
people, they may need special attention because they are more exposed
to risk of social exclusion, poor nutrition and depression.
Age-based discrimination versus
discrimination based on sexual orientation
Many LGBT people remain invisible within seniors’ organisations who
usually fail to investigate their needs. This is primarily due to the
prejudice many older people still have on the issue on sexual
orientation. At the same time older LGBT people have difficulties to be
recognised within their own lesbian and gay communities because of
their old age. With the ongoing recognition of LGBT people’s rights and
a greater openness within society, in particular among young people,
today’s young LGBT people should be able in the future to defend
better their citizens’ rights in old age but for today’s older LGBT this is
still a great challenge.
The issues raised above are far from exhaustive, and AGE would welcome
opportunities to develop a better understanding of the common
challenges AGE and ILGA-Europe face to advance the rights of older
LGBT people and where policy initiatives are necessary. AGE argues
in favour of a horizontal approach to address discrimination in all
relevant policy areas such as: employment, minimum income/ pensions,
access to goods and services, health and long-term care, living standards
and housing, care giving / family and social support and social exclusion.
Continuing efforts to improve the quality of life for older generations
should enhance the well being of all including older LGBT people.
Campaigns are needed to raise awareness of both the senior and the
LGBT communities of the challenges older LGBT people face and
develop the adequate policy response to support them.
This will require more research on older LGBT needs and expectations.
Both senior organisations and LGBT organisations should join forces to
call for effective policy measures to deal with the multiple discrimination
faced by older LGBT and to ensure that a comprehensive and coherent
approach to compliance and awareness raising is taken within EU
Member States.
Continuing efforts to improve the quality of life for older generations
should enhance the well being of all including older LGBT people.
Campaigns are needed to raise awareness of both the senior and the
LGBT communities of the challenges older LGBT people face and
develop the adequate policy response to support them.
This will require more research on older LGBT needs and expectations.
Both senior organisations and LGBT organisations should join forces to
call for effective policy measures to deal with the multiple discrimination
faced by older LGBT and to ensure that a comprehensive and coherent
approach to compliance and awareness raising is taken within EU
Member States.
***
AGE - the European Older People’s Platform is a European network of
organisations of people aged 50 plus and over. It brings together 150
organisations from across the European Union and represents over 22
million older people in Europe through its membership. AGE seeks to
voice and promote the interests of the 150 million inhabitants aged over
50 years and to raise awareness of the issues that concern them most.
AGE works at the European level to increase recognition and
understanding of the opportunities and challenges that arise from the
ageing of our society and to achieve a Europe for all ages.
MACIEJ KUCHARCZYK
AGE Policy Officer
AGE - the European Older People’s Platform is a European network of
organisations of people aged 50 plus and over. It brings together 150
organisations from across the European Union and represents over 22
million older people in Europe through its membership. AGE seeks to
voice and promote the interests of the 150 million inhabitants aged over
50 years and to raise awareness of the issues that concern them most.
AGE works at the European level to increase recognition and
understanding of the opportunities and challenges that arise from the
ageing of our society and to achieve a Europe for all ages.
MACIEJ KUCHARCZYK
AGE Policy Officer
(Αναδημοσίευση από το NEWSLETTER, Automn 2006 της ILGA-Europe)
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