– I remember a young nursing assistant who asked me who my next of kin, Solveig, was. When I said it was my wife, she was very taken aback and backed away, says Vigdis Bunkholdt (87). – I really only think it was comical, but it was a bit strange, says Bunkholdt. For 50 years she has been with Solveig Askjem. But not everyone of their age chooses to be open about their orientation, according to the equality ombudsman. – We know that some queers go back into the closet when they get older. We also know that there are a number of living conditions and mental health challenges among this group, says equality representative Bjørn Erik Thon. Vigdis Bunkholdt is a member of the association FRI, which works for gender and sexuality diversity, which is a membership organization for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people in Norway. Photo: Anna Rut Tørressen / news More than half break the law The ombudsman has surveyed how county councils and municipalities work to ensure that everyone is treated equally in their services. Including older people who are gay. – These are people who have fought a tough battle, faced prejudice, hatred and grew up in a time where it was a crime to be gay, says Thon. Municipalities and county councils are obliged to report on how they work with gender equality every year. More than half of the municipalities that have been reviewed have not disclosed what they are supposed to do, and are therefore breaking the law. – We see that there are few municipalities that focus on this with queer older people. I think the state of queer elderly care in Norwegian municipalities is far too bad. Only six of the 41 municipalities and county councils that have been reviewed have initiated measures to ensure equality for homosexuals. – We believe that the municipalities must have a very high awareness of this going forward. Competence must be built so that they can meet queers in a proper way, whether it is in a nursing home or in home care, says Thon. Takes self-criticism Although there are shortcomings in the reporting from many municipalities, this does not mean that these issues are not being worked on, the equality representative emphasizes in his report. Nordland County Council takes self-criticism for its own reporting. The equality ombudsman did not find any of the statutory elements when they checked the county council during their survey. The county council’s deputy chairman, Svein Magnar Øien Eggesvik, says that the county council’s reporting is piecemeal and divided, and difficult to find out. – Our reporting in this area is very much worse than the work we actually do and the effort we put into work for inclusion, prevention and attention to these important matters, says Eggesvik. No one has reported discrimination Kristiansand is one of the municipalities that has reported what they were supposed to. But the director of health and coping in the municipality, Brede Skaalerud, says that they have no particular focus on queer elderly care. – I think that working with attitudes, an equal and diverse society is important for all social groups, says Skaalerud. He says they are keen to meet people with openness, regardless of gender identity and orientation. – From what I have heard, there have been no reports that queer older people have experienced or felt challenges with us. But if someone does, we would like to know about it, says Skaalerud. Skaalerud is responsible for almost all the health services in Kristiansand municipality, such as nursing homes, home care and emergency services. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news See what politicians in Kristiansand think can be done to improve care for the elderly for queer people: Many go back in the closet The organization FRI believes this is an issue that is unknown to many. They are calling for more research and better expertise. They also recognize the fact that many queers go back into the closet in the face of elderly care. – It is a major equality challenge. You should be able to be who you are all your life, and then we need competent professionals, says manager Inge Alexander Gjestvang. Gjestvang believes there is too little political will to put a greater focus on queer elderly care. Photo: Anna Rut Tørressen / news Hope to be met with respect The married couple Vigdis Bunkholdt and Solveig Askjem are happy that they are still in good health and are not dependent on elderly care in their everyday lives. If they come to a nursing home themselves, they hope to be met with respect. – I have decided that if we are going to live in a nursing home, we will live together. We have to, says Askjem, while Bunkholdt adds: – We will fight for it.
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Too bad care for the elderly for queers – Many go back in the closet – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
