Call now for a FREE Consultation with a Family Advisor about Assisted Living in your area!
Free assisted living consultation

LGBTQIA+ Senior Housing Options

Published: October 18, 2022
Reviewed by: Deidre Sommerer, LPN, MS, CMC, CDP

Find Assisted Living in Your Area

loader
No Results Found

LGBTQIA+ Senior Housing Options

In addition to the typical challenges faced by seniors, which may include everything from declining health to age discrimination, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex and asexual plus allies, are at risk of further discrimination due to their lifestyle. That added pressure can make it difficult for seniors to seek out long-term care options as they age. The need for a senior living community where they can live alongside peers and receive care from attendants who are accepting of who they are is a serious consideration for those moving into long-term care or independent living communities.

An estimated 39 million seniors aged 65 and older reside in the United States, including 2.4 million individuals who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The number of older adults is expected to climb by as much as 6.2% by 2030, and as such, the number of senior LGBTQIA+ community members will grow as well. Due to the increasing population of LGBTQIA+ seniors, it’s important for service providers to be more inclusive of LGBTQIA+ individuals as they enter their golden years.

We creat this guide to help seniors in the LGBTQIA+ community find accepting, comfortable senior housing. Below, we provide an overview of senior housing and living options for older LGBTQIA+ adults, including details about each level of senior care. It also includes a list of LGBTQIA+-friendly communities throughout the United States and explains what you should look for when searching for an accepting senior living community.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Retirement and Independent Living Communities

Retirement villages and communities are housing complexes built specifically for older adults and seniors. These communities don’t provide personal care or medical assistance and are made for retired adults who are able to care for themselves. Amenities in these communities vary. While some are simply well-kept communities that are only occupied by older adults or seniors, some provide a full host of amenities, including on-site restaurants and services, planned activities and housekeeping services.

Community Name Address Phone Number Types of Care Provided About the Community
Fountaingrove Lodge 4210 Thomas Lake Harris Drive,
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 285-9533
  • Retirement living
  • Assisted living
  • Memory care
Fountaingrove Lodge is an LGBTQ+ retirement community that provides seniors at all levels of care with luxury amenities, including fine dining, fitness classes, social clubs and group outings.
Seashore Point 100 Alden Street Unit 216,
Provincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-0771
  • Retirement living
  • Skilled nursing care
Seashore Point features 81 independent living units that are a mixture of rentals and condominiums. The community is overseen by a condo board that ensures all residents enjoy a clean, well-maintained property. A wellness center is located on-site to provide residents with basic medical care.
A Place for Us 11610 Madison Avenue,
Cleveland, OH 44102
(844) 329-9215
  • Retirement living
A Place for Us is a retirement community for seniors aged 55 and older. It’s located near public transit in a mixed-use neighborhood that features shopping, restaurants and parks.
Rainbow Vista 1350 West Powell Boulevard,
Gresham, OR 97030
(503) 667-5575
  • Retirement living
Rainbow Vista is a 55+ community that’s designed to be a safe, comfortable living option for LGBTQ+ seniors. It features studio and one-bedroom apartments, as well as several community areas, such as a music room, a game room and an on-site gym.
Birds of a Feather 11 Whitehawk Trail,
Pecos, NM 87552
(505) 757-2901
  • Retirement living
Birds of a Feather is a senior living community that’s exclusive to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It features a variety of lot layouts for purchase, and seniors can choose to build as they please, provided they follow the community’s guidelines. Amenities nearby include health care facilities, restaurants and shops.
Palms of Manasota 126 2 Avenue E.,
Rubonia, FL 34221
(404) 667-3676
  • Retirement living
Palms of Manasota is one of the oldest gay and lesbian retirement communities in the United States. It consists of 21 single-family homes, and the community is maintained by a condo association.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities

Assisted living communities provide 24-hour care for seniors who need help managing activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming and feeding themselves. These facilities typically provide medication reminders, three daily meals, social activities and transportation.

Memory care may be provided within an assisted living facility or in facilities that are exclusive to residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These facilities offer services and amenities similar to assisted living with the added benefits of activities that are meant to delay cognitive decline and added security for seniors who may be prone to wandering.

Community Name Address Phone Number Types of Care Provided About the Community
Stonewall Gardens 2150 N. Palm Canyon Drive,
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 548-0970
  • Assisted living
Stonewall Gardens provides peaceful, discrimination-free living for seniors who require a little extra assistance with daily tasks. Caregivers are available to help around the clock, and amenities include indoor and outdoor common areas, complimentary cable TV, daily meals and snacks and scheduled transportation.
Benton House of Clermont 16401 Good Hearth Boulevard,
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 218-1518
  • Assisted living
  • Memory care
  • Adult day care
Benton House of Clermont provides seniors with an inclusive, discrimination-free environment, making it a great senior living option for seniors who identify as LGBTQIA+. Its amenities include bright common areas, restaurant-style dining, scheduled transportation and planned group activities.
Fleet Landing 1 Fleet Landing Boulevard,
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
(904) 789-5094
  • Independent living
  • Assisted living
  • Memory care
Fleet Landing offers senior living options for everybody. Its LGBTQIA+-friendly staff provides round-the-clock care for those who need help with daily tasks or are living with dementia. Amenities include planned activities, on-site physical and occupational therapy and restaurant-style dining.
Belmont Village 5455 Glenridge Drive,
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 252-6271
  • Assisted living
  • Memory care
Belmont Village is committed to providing judgment-free, inclusive care for all seniors. It offers comfortable amenities for seniors, including chef-prepared meals three times daily, non-medical transportation and planned group outings and activities.
City View Villas 515 N. La Brea Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-2131
  • Independent living
  • Assisted living
  • Memory care
City View Villas is reviewed well among residents and family members for providing inclusive, LGBTQIA+-friendly care. It features one-bedroom and studio suites, as well as companion suites, and amenities include hiking trails, an on-site spa and beauty salon and housekeeping services.
The Ivy Golden Gate 1601 9 Avenue,
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 503-9457
  • Assisted living
  • Memory care
The Ivy Golden Gate is a retirement community that promotes inclusivity and diversity. It welcomes all seniors, providing 24-hour care and amenities, such as on-site therapy, all-day dining, a bistro and a fitness center.
Calaroga Terrace 1400 NE 2 Avenue,
Portland, OR 97232
(971) 245-1762
  • Independent living
  • Assisted living
Calaroga Terrace is an inclusive assisted living facility that provides LGBTQIA+ seniors with safe and discrimination-free care. Its suites are large and bright, while common areas include living spaces, game rooms and a restaurant-style dining area.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Nursing Homes

LGBTQIA+-friendly nursing homes can be difficult to come by, unfortunately. While there are many that promote diversity among residents and are committed to nondiscriminatory practices, most are focused on providing medical care without paying added attention to the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ seniors.

As such, it’s important for seniors and their family members to remain aware of residents’ rights when it comes to nursing home care. These rights include:

  • The right to be free from abuse: Seniors living in long-term care should never be subjected to verbal, sexual, mental or physical abuse, including discrimination related to sexual orientation.
  • The right to privacy: Regardless of cognitive or physical ability, residents in long-term care must be granted privacy when it comes to their bodies and their personal matters.
  • The right to respect: All seniors in long-term care deserve and have the right to be treated with respect and dignity by caregivers, administrative staff and peers.
  • The right to participate in group activities: Long-term care facilities may not exclude seniors from group activities and outings, including religious and social gatherings, because of their sexual preference or lifestyle choices.
  • The right to participate in care decisions: Seniors in long-term care have the power to make their own choices about their care planning. That said, those who are unable to make sound decisions have the right to designate a family member or trusted loved one to make decisions on their behalf.
  • The right to information: Seniors in long-term care and/or their designated representative must be provided with advance notice of changes in services, care, treatment or billing.

If any senior or designated decision-maker feels that these resident rights have been violated, they can contact their state’s long-term care ombudsman to file a complaint.

LGBTQIA+-Friendly Housing for Low-Income Seniors

Low-income seniors often struggle to find adequate housing, and, unfortunately, those who identify as LGBTQIA+ frequently face greater difficulties than those who don’t. The communities listed below are LGBTQIA+-friendly and provide safe, low-income housing for seniors.

Community Name Address Phone Number About the Community
Triangle Square Apartments 1602 Ivar Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 466-4372 Triangle Square Apartments is an LGBT-friendly community for seniors aged 62 and older that features controlled access and energy-efficient amenities, such as Energy Star appliances. It has an on-site community room that hosts regular social and educational programs for residents, as well as a reduced-cost lunch program that’s available Monday through Friday.
John C. Anderson Apartments 251 S. 13 Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 428-0269 John C. Anderson Apartments is a low-income apartment complex that’s exclusive to LGBTQIA+ seniors aged 62 and older. Its one-bedroom apartments feature modern appliances and layouts, and the building is close to health care facilities, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Town Hall Apartments 3600 N. Halsted Street,
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 672-6560 Featuring studio and one-bedroom units that are exclusive to seniors aged 55 and older, Town Hall Apartments is accepting of all lifestyles and provides low-income options for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This six-story building features on-site amenities, such as a fitness room, a computer lab and a family gathering room.
55 Laguna 55 Laguna Street,
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 813-3710 55 Laguna is proudly inclusive and provides a welcoming and safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors to call home. An on-site service center offers a variety of outreach services for LGBTQIA+ seniors. Amenities include a community room, on-site laundry and a lounge.
North Park Senior Apartments 4200 Texas Street,
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 282-6647 North Park Senior Apartments is LGBTQ-friendly and open to older adults aged 55 and over. It features 76 suites in various studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans. A community center is located on-site and hosts a variety of activities and social gatherings each month, and its rooftop terrace features gorgeous views of the city’s skyline.
Bayshore Senior Residence 28 Park Avenue,
Bayshore, NY 11706
(516) 397-0900 ext. 41 Bayshore Senior Residence offers one- and two-bedroom suites for low-income adults aged 55 and older. The complex features an LGBT senior center that provides meals, counseling and wellness services, fitness classes and social activities.
Mary’s House for Older Adults PO Box 29561,
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 269-5736 Mary’s House is an apartment complex for aging adults. It offers inclusive living for everybody and welcomes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Seniors living here can enjoy programs that enable them to socialize with neighbors, and an on-site senior services center offers access to local resources, as well as health and wellness programming.
Crotona Senior Residences 775 Crotona Park N.,
Bronx, NY 10460
(718) 583-1511 Provided by HELP USA, Crotona Senior Residences provides low-income living for LGBTQIA+ seniors. On-site amenities include an outdoor terrace and community garden, as well as a SAGE community center and full-time staff who operate resident programs and provide access to local health, wellness and social resources.
The Residences at Equality Park  2040 N. Dixie Hwy.,
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
(954) 463-9005 The Residences at Equality Park is a low-income, 48-unit apartment that houses independent LGBTQIA+ seniors who are living with disabilities. The apartment features on-site senior services, which are provided by The Pride Center, a nonprofit organization that strives to support members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are facing food insecurity, health and wellness concerns or other social needs.

Questions to Ask When Looking for an LGBTQIA+-Friendly Senior Living Community

When exploring senior living communities, it’s especially important for LGBTQIA+ seniors to ask questions to determine how inclusive the community is and whether it’s open to supporting their needs. The information below provides a list of questions that seniors and their loved ones can ask when touring facilities to gather information and make a sound decision about whether the community will be a good fit for their lifestyle.


Download PDF

Resources for LGBTQIA+ Seniors

LGBTQIA+ seniors can access help and support when faced with discrimination or other challenges. The resources below are free to access.

Organization Phone How it Helps
SAGE (212) 741-2247 SAGE provides advocacy and social services for LGBTQIA+ seniors across the United States. Its services include assistance in finding safe senior housing, long-term care equality education and a hotline that provides crisis counseling for LGBTQIA+ seniors.
National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging (212) 741-2247 The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging is a technical resource center that supports LGBTQIA+ seniors, their families and their caregivers in accessing resources, education and technical support in matters related to LGBTQIA+ aging.
LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline (877) 360-5428 The LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline is provided by SAGE. This vital resource features crisis counselors and responders who offer immediate help to seniors who are feeling isolated, depressed, suicidal or otherwise in crisis. The hotline is manned 24/7 and offers service in English and Spanish, as well as translations in 180 additional languages.
Human Rights Campaign (800) 777-4723 The Human Rights Campaign advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including seniors. It provides important resources, such as the Healthcare Equality Index and the Long-Term Care Equality Index, which help seniors and their family members ensure they’re accessing safe, effective health care and long-term care services.
National LGBTQ Task Force (202) 393-5177 The National LGBTQ Task Force is an advocacy organization that protects the rights of LGBTQIA+ community members of all ages. Its work includes intervening in cases of discrimination in health care and long-term care facilities, as well as providing education and awareness for caregivers and family members of LGBTQIA+ seniors.
GLAAD Contact via website GLAAD has long been an advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. This nonprofit organization promotes acceptance for all people and provides education for straight allies, as well as for those who are still working toward acceptance. GLAAD also provides advocacy services for LGBTQIA+ persons of all ages, offers intervention where necessary and promotes inclusivity.