White House Conferences on Aging ( WHCoA ) are once-in-a-decade events designed to develop recommendations for additional research and action in the field of aging. In 1995, issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity were written out of the event's resolutions. According to a Dec. 13 national audio press conference held by various LGBT elder advocates, history was about to repeat itself at the most recent WHCoA, held Dec. 11-14 in Washington, D.C. [ Apparently, the speakers' concerns were justified. According to the conference's Web site, the resolutions covered everything from housing availability to substance abuse to safe driving—but sexual orientation and gender identity were again excluded. ]
' [ The situation ] represents yet another sad chapter in our nation's history. ... The kind of control over this conference is deplorable,' said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Roberta Sklar, Task Force spokesperson, added that it was 'appalling to walk the corridors of the conference and to see that there are people who are interested in advancing the issues of elders—and yet the conference provides no opportunities [ to do so ] . It has been structured in a calculated way. People cannot submit or change resolutions. ... There is a conscious effort to squelch concerns and issues of our community.'
Garrison Phillips has to deal with problems that most elders face. Phillips, a Korean War veteran and member of the Task Force as well as SAGE ( Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders ) , talked about the fact that he has 'two pensions and Social Security—and it's not enough.' ( Phillips said he is also in that gray area where he actually makes too much money to qualify for other help, regarding housing and other items. ) He also detailed physical problems and personal losses, including his partner, who passed away two years ago. 'I have a sixth-floor walk-up, but I'm looking for housing,' he said.