Straight Critics Vs. Gay Advocates on LGBT Retirement Housing Developments

By Jeff Adolph

Retirement Housing

Controversy once again rears its ugly head, as straight Massachusetts politicians and real estate groups criticize  the gay and lesbian elder housing developments planned for the state.

Their gripe it seems is they feel that aging straits are not being treated fairly and if an aged care facility is built for the LGBT community then they too would like one built for them.

'Massachusetts Rep. Brian Wallace calls the approval of gay senior housing development a double standard.'

As Wallace asked, 'you can do this for one group and not the another? He feels, 'it is pushing the envelope to a drastic point.'

And, if thats not bad enough, Michael Carucci of the ERA Boston Real Estate Group asked, 'what if I was saying this building is just for heterosexual people, or Muslims, or Jews, or Catholics, whats the difference? He added, 'to take it to the next step and say this building is just for gay people - its a bit much.'

Hang on a minute, haven't straights been building aged care facilities and condo developments for themselves for years?

And, are members of the LGBT community allowed to be themselves in these facilities, without fear of persecution or limitations being placed upon them, their actions and their behavior?

Hmmmmmm.... I think not!

The two planned developments the straight individuals have focused their attention on are at either ends of Massachusetts. One condominium complex in the Stonewall at Audubon Circle and the other Paradise One in Easthampton.

Garry Daffin, a gay issues advocate in Boston felt Wallace and Carruci had failed to recognize the necessity  of these pioneering complexes. As he stated, 'no one wants to feel uncomfortable or have to censor themselves, or be afraid when they get old anymore.'

Having just found the handle that opened the closet door, members of the LGBT community do not want to have to be forced back in there because they are aging.

As Amber Hollibaugh, strategist for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said, 'most long-term care facilities operate under a sort of don't ask, don't tell policy where gay seniors are expected to conceal their identities. Those who don't follow the underwritten rule face ostracism or worse.'

Have Wallace and Carucci also forgotten about other niche aged care facilities?

For instance those that cater to the avid golfer, the military veteran, the deaf and the university alumni, and if there not already here they are definitely in the making, as projects on the wind, and whispers of future developments.

So, what becomes of the LGBT aged care facilities and condominium developments?

Well Wallace and Cassuri can jump up and down as much as they want because the developments in Massachusetts are but two of twenty-one gay and lesbian retirement villages either under construction or being planned that stretch from Washington to Florida, and I am sure there will be plenty more following suit in the future.

Source: Burton, A.J (2006) Gay Senior Housing on the Rise, While Straights Cry Foul: available online at http://www.gfm.com/indexarticle.cfm?ChannelsDesRecordID=360 

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Controversy once again rears its ugly head, as straight Massachusetts politicians and real estate groups criticize  the gay and lesbian elder housing developments planned for the state.

Their gripe it seems is they feel that aging straits are not being treated fairly and if an aged care facility is built for the LGBT community then they too would like one built for them.

'Massachusetts Rep. Brian Wallace calls the approval of gay senior housing development a double standard.'

As Wallace asked, 'you can do this for one group and not the another? He feels, 'it is pushing the envelope to a drastic point.'

And, if thats not bad enough, Michael Carucci of the ERA Boston Real Estate Group asked, 'what if I was saying this building is just for heterosexual people, or Muslims, or Jews, or Catholics, whats the difference? He added, 'to take it to the next step and say this building is just for gay people - its a bit much.'

Hang on a minute, haven't straights been building aged care facilities and condo developments for themselves for years?

And, are members of the LGBT community allowed to be themselves in these facilities, without fear of persecution or limitations being placed upon them, their actions and their behavior?

Hmmmmmm.... I think not!

The two planned developments the straight individuals have focused their attention on are at either ends of Massachusetts. One condominium complex in the Stonewall at Audubon Circle and the other Paradise One in Easthampton.

Garry Daffin, a gay issues advocate in Boston felt Wallace and Carruci had failed to recognize the necessity  of these pioneering complexes. As he stated, 'no one wants to feel uncomfortable or have to censor themselves, or be afraid when they get old anymore.'

Having just found the handle that opened the closet door, members of the LGBT community do not want to have to be forced back in there because they are aging.

As Amber Hollibaugh, strategist for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said, 'most long-term care facilities operate under a sort of don't ask, don't tell policy where gay seniors are expected to conceal their identities. Those who don't follow the underwritten rule face ostracism or worse.'

Have Wallace and Carucci also forgotten about other niche aged care facilities?

For instance those that cater to the avid golfer, the military veteran, the deaf and the university alumni, and if there not already here they are definitely in the making, as projects on the wind, and whispers of future developments.

So, what becomes of the LGBT aged care facilities and condominium developments?

Well Wallace and Cassuri can jump up and down as much as they want because the developments in Massachusetts are but two of twenty-one gay and lesbian retirement villages either under construction or being planned that stretch from Washington to Florida, and I am sure there will be plenty more following suit in the future.

Source: Burton, A.J (2006) Gay Senior Housing on the Rise, While Straights Cry Foul: available online at http://www.gfm.com/indexarticle.cfm?ChannelsDesRecordID=360 

--------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts…

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Comments

[Seniors Community]

Seniors community refers primarily to retirement communities where seniors can live out their lives among other seniors with dignity and in most instances while maintaining their independence. There are many different types of seniors’ communities. They can be broken down into two broad headings: Residential, and Non-residential. A residential seniors community can be further broken down into categories depending on the living arrangements.