Senior & queer: Where do you live?

Written By Anna Lea Spörri

Many queer people feel lonely as they age. What can be done about it, and how does the experience of ageing in our society differ between queer and heterosexual people? Christian Wapp, vice president of the Swiss association "queerAltern" tackles these problems and tells us the story of a struggle that is unknown to many.

Hans and Fabio, © Sandra Meier (gestaltungskiosk)

"For fear of discrimination, many queer people hide again in old age," says Christian Wapp. The annual online survey by Léïla Eisner and Tabea Hässler supports Wapp's observation: around a third of the homosexual participants older than 50 say they experience discrimination in everyday life. This ranges from homophobic jokes to stares and social exclusion. This is even more common among trans people. 

The ageing process is individual for all people, especially with regard to physical complaints. As Christian Wapp points out, loneliness and fear of discrimination are especially prevalent in the queer community. Many feel very lonely and isolated in old people's homes because their life path has been different from that of the predominately heteronormative society: Marriage and with that the chance to legally start a family was not possible for homosexual couples in Switzerland until July 1, 2022. While these things mark important milestones in the lives of heterosexual people, they are often missing from queer biographies. “That's exactly why it makes sense to create a housing project just for queer ageing people”, Wapp says.

WhatsApp groups and regulars' tables

For this purpose "queerAltern" was founded in Zurich in 2014. It is only one of the projects of the organization that is part of the social community work for the ageing queer community: When a member misses someone to chat with or does not want to take critical medical diagnoses alone, he can register via the portal "queerAltern-Teamwork" and finds somebody who can help. Every first Thursday of the month, there is also the Stammtisch (regulars' table), where people can talk and have a drink. In the WhatsApp group "Plaudern" birthday wishes or vacation greetings can be exchanged. In addition, “queerAltern” organizes cultural or political events, excursions or hikes. " This kind of networking is very important, especially for queer people who have not been lucky enough to find a circle of friends," says Wapp. In mainstream society today, he says, it is hardly accepted to express homophobic views. But that doesn't mean that homophobia no longer exists. What people say in public and what they think in private can differ a lot. The results of a survey by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW is shocking: around one tenth of adult Swiss feel that homosexuality is "immoral". This discrepancy is reflected in Switzerland's political processes: Although the National Council voted in favour of a national action plan against anti-LGBTQ hate crimes on June 1, 2022, the number of hate crimes doubled in 2021 to almost two hate crimes per week. 

At Zurich Pride 2022, queerAltern provided two TukTuk – for people who are no longer able to walk well or who want to rest in between. In the picture (from left to right): Heidi, Clemens, Monique, Photo: queerAltern

The queerAltern booth at the Zurich Pride Festivel 2022 becomes a meeting place for members and other interested parties every time. In the picture (from left to right): Heinz, Christiane, Ursula, Photo: queerAltern

First queer living place in Switzerland

The goal of the queer retirement living project will become reality in 2025. In "Espenhof - we live diversity!", a property in Zurich-Albisrieden, Switzerland's first queer place to live in old age is currently being built. Four years from now, in addition to 26 age-appropriate 1.5 to 3.5-room apartments, three nursing home groups with a total of 23 places will be ready for use. In principle, everyone who describes themselves as queer, is over 60 years old or in a relationship with a queer person, who is older than 60, and is based in the city of Zurich, will be allowed to move in. But the path wasn't always easy. Christian Wapp says: "We looked at numerous projects on the public real estate market over several years, but they ultimately failed because of the return on investment." The only way to get a property seemed to be through Zurich's municipal authorities, namely the Foundation for Housing for the Elderly (SAW), which is part of the Health and Environment Department of City Councillor Andreas Hauri. Also involved in the Espenhof project are the Health Centres for the Elderly (GZA), which will manage the nursing home groups. It is a  step to the institutional level, which is always sharply criticized in activist circles and accompanied by much mistrust. " This criticism also came from our community. But I must emphasize that the city is responsive to our input," says Christian Wapp. Barbara Bosshard, the president of “queerAltern”, perceives the cooperation with the city authorities completely at eye level. " She mainly maintains contact with the relevant institutions - in the meantime, the further procedure is also legally secured via a cooperation agreement between SWA, GZA and ‘queerAltern’." In the Espenhof working groups formed in this context, it is the task of “queerAltern”, among others, to bring in the queer point of view. In the future, more housing projects should be created, not only for queer older people from Zurich. One idea on the table is a mixed-age living project. 

Christiane (l.) and Monique © Sandra Meier (gestaltungskiosk)

Secluded?

A senior housing project that is exclusively open to queer people creates separation. Does this not contrast with efforts like "marriage for all", which demand equal treatment for homosexual and heterosexual people? "We are often accused of creating a 'queer ghetto' with a housing project just for older queer people," Wapp says. He firmly rejects this accusation. Rather, he says, the project should be seen as a safe space: "We queers are people with similar life stories living together. Without discrimination." Because many queer people carry different memories than heterosexual people, remembering together strengthens a sense of community. Barbara Bosshard illustrates this in an interview with QueerAmnesty: "When you sit with other residents in a straight retirement home, and they show you the photo album with pictures of their grandchildren, what do you do? Show your photos of you topless in a leather outfit from the last Pride?" 

Wapp also sees an advantage in teaching the nursing staff to be more aware of the residential groups. This way they can better adapt their work  to the needs of queer people. And this kind of education is urgently needed: 30% of the 30% of participants of Eisner and Hässler’s study on the living conditions of queer people in Switzerland say they would like to see specific LGBTI* facilities and spitex providers. Despite the demand, the supply is still non-existent. At most Swiss universities of applied sciences that offer nursing education, queer clients are neglected. Shockingly, they admit their failure and do not even see a need to change anything: They have "other, more important things to do”, as they told QueerAmnesty in an article. 

Even if we think that queer people are treated equally in Switzerland nowadays, their reality is different. They have experienced discrimination throughout their lives and are discriminated against even more as they age. Institutions do not respond to their needs, and their experiences separate them from people with traditional life paths - that is why these projects are so valuable. Be it in the form of WhatsApp groups, hikes or a retirement homes for queer people - safe spaces are needed at all levels and for all ages.

Bibliography & further readings

Anna Lea Spörri

I believe in talking to each other, listening not only to respond. I like dancing. I like playing music. And even though you probably can’t tell by these short sentences here, I like writing. I believe that journalism is a powerful tool in fighting injustice. So why not express the fighting slogans a little more beautifully? I’m currently studying History and Sociology in Zurich.

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