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Elderly LGBT community in Singapore

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In Singapore, "elderly" is defined as being 65 years of age and above. This demographic has also been dubbed by the Government as the Pioneer Generation (born before 31 December 1949) and the Merdeka Generation (born between 31 December 1949 and 31 December 1959) in honour of their lifelong contributions to the country.

Prior to Singapore's independence in 1965, it is likely that most gay men were married to opposite sex spouses and led closeted lives as there was a great social stigma attached to being single, and even more so to being gay. Therefore, this community was all but invisible and their stories unheard of in popular literature.

Venues[]

See also: Hong Lim Park: gay aspects
See also: Pearls Centre: gay aspects

To combat loneliness and isolation, homosexuals could meet partners for socialising or sex since the mid-20th century by going to well known cruising spots such as Hong Lim Park at night. The latter venue was patronised by gay men of all ages until the late 1980s when it became predominantly a haunt for the elderly gay community.

Another well known cruising venue for gay seniors was Pearls Centre, especially the public toilet on the second level and its adjoining stairwell. After its demolition, these men sporadically migrated to the toilets and upper car park levels of nearby buildings in Chinatown and the parks and back alleys of the Telok Ayer area nocturnally.

Diamond Health Centre (now defunct) also attracted a large clientele of elderly gay men, while the extant Shogun sauna continues to do so. However, these establishments require the payment of an entrance fee in order to use the facilities.

Groups[]

In the 1990s, Hong Lim Park Forum was an online discussion group that catered specifically to elderly gay men.

In 2012, a Facebook group called Volunteer Befriending and Help Service for the LGBT Community[1],[2] was set up by Roy Tan after he won a competition organised by the LGBT counselling agency Oogachaga that offered a prize of $500 to anyone who could propose a useful project to spend the money on.

Films[]

Many elderly gay Chinese Singaporeans could identify with the Hong Kong feature film Suk Suk when it was shown at the 8th Singapore Chinese Film Festival in October 2020[3].


Plays[]

Problems[]

The elderly LGBT community is diverse, and the challenges faced will vary depending on individual circumstances, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, and socioeconomic status. However, it is crucial to acknowledge these unique challenges and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for this demographic. The Government does not keep track of how many LGBT Singaporeans there are let alone the elderly among them. This greatly hampers tackling these challenges.

Since the 2010s, more programmes and resources have been established to meet the needs of Singapore’s ageing population. These include the Senior Priority Scheme, which improves an individual's chance of getting a HDB flat, as well as the Silver Support Scheme, which offers quarterly cash payouts to seniors with low lifetime wages and little or no family support. However, ageing can be a more arduous process for the queer community, as they face eldercare options that may not be accepting of their gender identity and sexual orientation.

Terminology of self-identification[]

Older LGBT Singaporeans may identify themselves according to different characteristics, unlike younger individuals who are comfortable applying modern, politically correct terminology to describe themselves. This may lead to implications regarding how the mainstream community addresses, defines, works with and supports LGBT elders.

For instance, an older male who is effeminate in his gender expression may interchangeably see himself as a gay man or transgender woman. The person may use both male or female pronouns (he or she) when referring to himself, and may not mind being called ‘uncle’ or ‘auntie’. Likewise, an older woman who is somewhat masculine-presenting, not in a relationship with anyone but maybe previously attracted to women, may or may not see herself as a butch, lesbian or tomboy.

In contrast, more contemporary terms used for self-reference within the LGBTQ+ community include ‘lesbian’, ‘gay’, ‘bisexual’, ‘transgender’, ‘queer’ and ‘nonbinary’. Some of the terms used by elderly LGBTQ+ individuals, such as ‘homosexual’, ‘transsexual’, or even ‘ah kua’ (referring to a transgender person in Hokkien), may be considered outdated or potentially offensive to those who are more contemporary-thinking. According to the GLAAD institute, the term ‘homosexual’ is perceived to be offensive due to its clinical history, as it suggests that people who are attracted to the same sex are ‘somehow diseased or psychologically/emotionally disordered’. Furthermore, the term ‘transsexual’ is not considered an umbrella term as many transgender people, whose gender identity differs from what they were assigned at birth, do not identify as transsexual.

Health issues[]

Compared to heterosexual older adults, LGBT seniors are more likely to experience disabilities, depression, loneliness, and chronic health conditions. They also have higher rates of smoking and alcohol use, which can lead to further health complications.

Social isolation[]

Many LGBT older adults lack strong family support systems due to rejection from family members. This can lead to social isolation, loneliness, and a lack of emotional support. They are more likely to live alone and less probable to be partnered or married, further increasing the risk of social isolation.

Many elderly LGBT Singaporeans remain closeted even to other queer people. In 2012, when Roy Tan started a group called Volunteer Befriending and Help Service for the LGBT Community to attempt to meet the needs of queer older people from physical to monetary assistance, he sent out a call to all his contacts and LGBT online forums to refer such individuals to him, there was not a single response. He attributed it to the fact that many people of that generation had not come out as gay or lesbian. One reason could be the immense amount of shame in Singapore associated with being gay and this hindered volunteers' efforts in reaching out to this hidden demographic. Other factors, such as a lack of contact with or rejection by family members, the deaths of parents, siblings and friends over time, could further push the LGBT elderly into living in solitude. Some may be unable or not ready to connect socially with younger generations for various reasons, and have difficulty seeking LGBT or non-LGBT peers their own age. Being alone may prevent them from meeting their social and sexual needs.

For the senior transgender population, isolating themselves is sometimes a coping mechanism to avoid challenges. Co-founded by transwoman June Chua in 2014, The T Project runs Singapore's only shelter for transgender people and supports the community through outreach, counselling and advocacy. It found that many elderly transgenders never go out, necessitating The T Project to send food donations to them. Moreover, they do not have handphones and only watch TV and listen to radio.

Nursing homes[]

Discrimination and stigma[]

LGBT elders have often faced a lifetime of discrimination, which can have long-lasting effects on their mental and physical health. They may be reluctant to seek help or access services due to fear of further discrimination. This can lead to them waiting until they are in a crisis before seeking help.

Financial insecurity[]

Due to past discrimination in employment and housing, LGBT older adults may face financial hardship. This can make it difficult to afford healthcare, housing, and other necessities.

Insurance[]

Lack of legal and social recognition[]

Many LGBT older adults have relationships that are not legally recognised. This can create difficulties in accessing benefits, inheritance, and other legal protections.

Specific challenges for transgender elders[]

Transgender older adults may face additional challenges, such as difficulty accessing appropriate healthcare and facing discrimination in aged care facilities. They may also face the challenge of being forced back into the closet due to lack of understanding and acceptance.

Initiatives by LGBT community[]

The problems faced by elderly LGBT Singaporeans and how they can be tackled as a community have been the subject of several IndigNation, Pink Fest and other individual seminars. However, these have largely remained in the discussion and brainstorming stage with no concrete outcome as yet. The overwhelming consensus was that there needed to be an old folks' home catering specifically to the LGBT community. However, the financial outlay for such a project was prohibitive.

Aging Forward[]

Aging Forward is a free programme of facilitated dialogues for sharing experiences, examining common challenges, and to promote psychological well-being as elderly LGBT individuals move forward in the Singapore context. Having lived through the decades, it is acknowledged that they may need to heal themselves while also identifying their strengths. Living forward, they discuss strategies for their mental health and aging well. It was started by concerned individuals from the LGBT community such as Jordan Tang, under the auspices of Pelangi Pride Centre.

The psychoeducation sessions are specifically for gay and bi men who:

  • are 40 years or older,
  • want to learn about and support themselves and their community
  • are Singapore citizens or permanent residents.

The first session, held on Saturday, 4 January 2025 from 2 to 5pm, focused on psychoeducation led by Dr. Maha Y. See, a clinical psychologist (PsyD, Clinical Psychology; MSc, Training and Learning). Subsequent sessions were co-created with peer co-facilitators who had participated in the previous two cycles. There would be guests with expertise in specific fields. The venue for the discussions were only disclosed to confirmed participants closer to the date.

Registration was free via their link in the bio. Only limited slots were available.

Dr. Maha Y. See had been in the mental health field since 2006, working with people from across the globe. His practice focused on healing trauma of vulnerable and marginalised individuals such as refugees, survivors of violence, and sexual minorities.

Note:

  • It is a free programme with a total of 6 sessions.
  • Registration is required for participation.
  • The first session on 4 January 2025 was a prerequisite for attending the remaining sessions.
  • It is not a presentation, talk, or replacement for therapy.
  • It is not for mental health or psychosocial professionals and students, for example, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists and social workers.

Technological advances[]

The current difficulties faced by elderly LGBT Singaporeans will very likely be mitigated in the coming years by advances in cutting-edge technologies which hold incredible potential to improve their lives.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-powered virtual assistants and smart home systems can provide companionship, monitor health, and remind seniors to take medications. AI can also detect emergencies, like falls, and alert caregivers or emergency services.
  • Robotics: Robots can assist with household chores, mobility, and even provide social interaction. For example, robotic pets or humanoid robots can reduce loneliness and offer emotional support.
  • Quantum Computing: While still in its infancy, quantum computing could revolutionize healthcare by enabling faster drug discovery and personalized medicine, potentially offering treatments for age-related diseases like Alzheimer's.
  • Nuclear Fusion: Though not directly impacting individuals yet, advancements in nuclear fusion could lead to cheaper and more sustainable energy, making utilities more affordable for seniors on fixed incomes.
  • Gene Editing: Technologies like CRISPR could help treat or prevent genetic conditions associated with aging, such as macular degeneration or certain types of cancer, improving quality of life.
  • Nanobots: These tiny machines could revolutionize medicine by delivering drugs directly to affected areas, repairing tissues, or even combating diseases at the cellular level, offering targeted and minimally invasive treatments.

Together, these technologies could create a safer, healthier, and more connected environment for elderly individuals living alone.

See also[]

References[]

Acknowledgements[]

This article was written by Roy Tan.

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