The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national non-profit, public interest legal organization committed to advancing the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their families. Since 1999, NCLR’s Elder Law Project has been helping LGBT seniors gain access to and obtain equal treatment in law, public policy, health care and senior health, and social services.

There are an estimated 3.5 to 4 million LGBT persons age 65 and older in the U.S. Unfortunately, as LGBT people age, they often confront institutions and policies that discriminate against LGBT seniors in many areas of governmental and private services and benefits vital to seniors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. As a result, LGBT elders may be denied rights, benefits and protections that are available to non-LGBT elders.

The NCLR has produced a manual to help LGBT seniors and their families begin the elder law planning process so that they can protect themselves within a system that does not yet provide LGBT seniors with the same societal safety net that it does for non-LGBT people. The manual covers topics such as public benefits planning for long-term care needs, health care planning, planning for minor and disabled children, estate planning and hiring a competent attorney to assist in the planning process.

The NCLR manual can be found here – Planning With Purpose-Legal Basics For LGBT Seniors