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You're over sixty five, you're active, and you think it's time to move to a retirement community but there is one hitch; you are gay or lesbian and want to be around people like yourself. No problem, there are places to retire with people like you in mind! For years this was a huge issue for gay and lesbian retirees but it is an issue no more.

Just because a person has reached the age of sixty five and become officially recognized as a senior citizen life doesn't have to become mundane. For a long time active members of the gay and lesbian community were faced with the issue of giving up their lifestyle to enter a retirement community that catered to some of their needs but was not socially the right fit. It was not uncommon for many LGBT (Lesbian/Bisexual/Gay/Transgen der) seniors to deal with discrimination when applying to senior housing including assisted living facilities. Others feared that the social climate of these living arrangements would force them back into the closet just to get in or get along. Then somebody had an idea, why not create retirement communities aimed at the gay and lesbian community?

At first it seemed like a radical idea, but as is the case with many such brainstorms it caught on and proved to be a success. Enough of a success that there are currently almost thirty such communities in the U.S. with over a dozen more in the planning and development stages. Some of the existing facilities are based on condominium or apartment style living with the addition of assisted living facilities. These are especially appealing since as a persons health needs change they can stay within the community amongst their friends while still having their special needs met. Others are communities made up of regular homes along the lines of what would be considered a subdivision. Whatever your preference and price range is there is something to fit your needs.

Socially these facilities are thriving just as any good communities would be. Some seniors comment that the idea of leaving their hometown where they had friends and support was daunting at first, but took great joy in being in an environment full of people that lived through the same times, dealt with the same issues, and of course were gay or lesbian. Dating doesn't end once an AARP card is issued and to be among people that are homosexual as well in a way spared them the idea of going through a "Coming out" phase to new friends and neighbors all over again. Many facilities are equipped with community

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