AGING COMMITTEE

February 19, 2025

Presented By: Gina R. Rosich, PhD, LMSW

Dear Honorable Chairpersons Senator Hochadel, Representative Garibay and distinguished members of the Aging Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly:

My name is Dr. Gina Rosich, a resident of Bloomfield, Chair of the University of Saint Joseph Department of Social Work and Equitable Community Practice, and a member of the Education and Legislative Action Network at the National Association of Social Workers Connecticut Chapter. I am submitting this testimony on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT chapter, which represents over 2,300 members.  We call upon the Aging Committee to support HB-6913: An Act Concerning LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Long-Term Care Facilities.

The legislative agenda for NASW-CT includes taking the position to advance racial, economic, and social justice. NASW-CT believes that every Connecticut resident and family should be able to meet their basic human need for care at any age and supports the promotion of policies that work to eliminate inequities and disparities relating to race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

There is a strong body of evidence in the professional social work literature that LGBTQ+ older adults face isolation, discrimination, harassment, mistreatment, and neglect based on their identities while receiving care in long-term care facilities. Older LGBTQ+ adults experience fear and anxiety at the prospect of spending end of life in these conditions. Many older adults choose to go back into the closet to avoid poor treatment. This is a measure of self-preservation that has negative health and mental health consequences and robs people of their ability to age with dignity. For some, such as people living with HIV and many members of the trans and nonbinary community, being closeted is not an option. The choice may come down to receiving care in fear or foregoing care altogether.

One of the core values of the social work profession is treating others with dignity and respect. Older adulthood is a life stage that brings many changes and vulnerabilities. For LGBTQ+ older adults, being treated with dignity and respect includes respect for same-sex relationships by allowing couples to share rooms. It means acknowledging and consistently using a person’s pronouns and preferred name, basing room assignments on gender identity, preventing the discriminatory denial of care or involuntary transfers based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and creating a climate of affirmation through visible signs of inclusivity such as non-discrimination policies and LGBTQ+ cultural events.

I have personally witnessed professionals who say they cannot or will not care for LGBTQ+ individuals and families in their time of need because of a lack of expertise, insistent that they be referred to someone who specializes in LGBTQ+ care. To this I say that LGBTQ+ people are everywhere, and services should not be siloed. Facility managers, staff and volunteers should be required to attend cultural competency and cultural humility training to work effectively and sensitively with LGBTQ+ older adults. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ people should be protected from harassment by other patients and social isolation.  

LGBTQ+ and HIV+ older adults will benefit from HB-6913 by having the current non-discrimination protections in our state enumerated to specify how they should be protected in subacute rehab, assisted living, and long-term care facilities. 

In closing, NASW-CT urges the committee to vote in favor of HB-6913: An Act Concerning LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Long-Term Care Facilities. We are grateful to the Committee for your attention to this matter.