The U.S. population is steadily aging: while currently comprising only
12% of the population, adults over the age of sixty-five will likely grow to
comprise one-fifth of the populace in the next twenty-five years.1
In about
forty years, this group will consist of 25% of the population.2
One aspect of
individuals that tends to be thought about and discussed less as they age is
their sexual orientation and gender identity. It is thus unsurprising that some
dub the significant portion of this aging population identifying as gay,
lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or of a questioning sexuality3
as “the
hidden population.”4
Presently, as many as three million people ages sixtyfive
and older identify as queer,5
a number that “could grow to [four] million
by 2030.”6
As the average age of the population increases, so will the