Financial Distress
Participants were asked to describe challenges facing older LGB adults, and financial distress was repeatedly named as an issue among both generations. Although poverty is common in late adulthood, it is potentially worsened by homophobic discrimination. Incidents of being denied a job and threats of being fired were faced by numerous participants. Betty (71, married, lesbian) described an incident of being denied a job at a reproductive care center, noting that HR informed her that her sexual identity was an impediment to effectively doing her job. She elaborated that HR blatantly stated that she is going to have a really hard time finding a job in Kansas City, due to her sexual orientation.