Spain to open first gay old people's home
A Madrid foundation wants to offer the country's elderly gay and lesbian community a place where they can be open about their sexuality without facing rejection or bullying from their peers. The Local Spain speaks to their president.
It’s an attempt at stopping Spain’s ‘invisible’ elderly LGBTs from going back into the closet and never coming out again.
“For society, elderly lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals don’t exist,” Federico Armenteros, head of the foundation behind the scheme, told The Local.
“But in Madrid alone, there are 160,000 LGBT affiliates above the age of 65.”
Armenteros is the brains behind the December 26th Foundation, a relatively new association which takes its name from the date Spain’s LGBT community was no longer legally classified as “dangerous” (1978 reform).
“Many managed to come out, some still kept it under wraps, but an overwhelming majority went back to the closet the moment they ended up in care homes.”
“The older generation were brought up with a different set of values, very repressed, and in general they still struggle to accept the LGBT collective.”
“I know one 95-year-old transsexual who hasn’t spoken to a soul in years because all her peers in the home shun her.”
December 26th Foundation now has the resources to offer 40 apartments to elderly gays and lesbians in Spain’s capital, as well as a civic centre to be completed in the following months.
“Anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, can move in or take part in our activities. They only have to bear in mind that we focus primarily on elderly LGBTs.
SEE ALSO: French mayor aghast after he accidentally approves building of 'gay village'
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It’s an attempt at stopping Spain’s ‘invisible’ elderly LGBTs from going back into the closet and never coming out again.
“For society, elderly lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals don’t exist,” Federico Armenteros, head of the foundation behind the scheme, told The Local.
“But in Madrid alone, there are 160,000 LGBT affiliates above the age of 65.”
Armenteros is the brains behind the December 26th Foundation, a relatively new association which takes its name from the date Spain’s LGBT community was no longer legally classified as “dangerous” (1978 reform).
“Many managed to come out, some still kept it under wraps, but an overwhelming majority went back to the closet the moment they ended up in care homes.”
“The older generation were brought up with a different set of values, very repressed, and in general they still struggle to accept the LGBT collective.”
“I know one 95-year-old transsexual who hasn’t spoken to a soul in years because all her peers in the home shun her.”
December 26th Foundation now has the resources to offer 40 apartments to elderly gays and lesbians in Spain’s capital, as well as a civic centre to be completed in the following months.
“Anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, can move in or take part in our activities. They only have to bear in mind that we focus primarily on elderly LGBTs.
SEE ALSO: French mayor aghast after he accidentally approves building of 'gay village'
Don't miss stories about Spain, join The Local on Facebook and Twitter.
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