Since February is LGBT+ History month it is timely to acknowledge the issues faced by older LGBT+ people in our Irish in Britain community who might be experiencing problems associated with dementia.
Many LGBT+ people left Ireland over the decades, not just to find work but to seek a more tolerant and socially inclusive society. Men and women left oppressive and homophobic communities where they were unable to be themselves or feel safe to express their sexuality. Some people left seeking treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Some found the freedom they were seeking to a greater or lesser degree and a significant number of Irish people were active in the 1980s LGBT+ movement in Britain. However, like LGBT+ people in general, many still felt the need to hide their sexuality, coming out only to a small circle of friends. Some met and settled with same-sex partners but not necessarily telling the family back home.
Irish LGBT+ people were additionally exposed to anti-Irish racism, which was rife at the time, with many feeling unable to be either Irish or gay or trans.
Dementia
As this group of people age, there is increasing evidence that some are affected by dementia. Being LGBT+ with dementia can be difficult anyway, largely because of assumptions that all older people are heterosexual. People’s needs are misunderstood and many people are isolated from their partners and friends.
Memory problems can lead to behaviour caused by reliving earlier experiences of hostility and homophobia that can be misconstrued by informal or formal carers. For many older Irish LGBT+ people, stigma around their sexuality can be compounded by the shame associated with dementia and past negative experiences of anti-Irish racism.
Irish in Britain’s Cuimhne team is keen to develop training, information and resources to support the families, carers, community organisations to respect and recognise the needs of LGBT+ people who have dementia. We recognise the importance of finding out what LGBT+ people, their carers, friends and supporters need rather than imposing our views on people.
We will consult existing LGBT+ Irish groups and envisage a small number of focus groups as well as contributions from /conversations with LGBT+ people and carers who may wish to remain anonymous.
We would welcome interested people to contact our team: champions@irishinbritain.org