This booklet is for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people living in Scotland. It will give you the information you need to understand your rights in owning or renting a property, and in using housing or housing support services. It also explains where you can get help if you are not happy with the service you have received.

This booklet was produced as a result of research commissioned in 2004 by Communities Scotland, Age Concern Scotland, and the Equality Network. This research  explored the housing needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in  Scotland. Over 70 older LGBT people throughout Scotland were involved in this research: around three-quarters aged 45-59 years old, and one quarter aged 60 or older.

An important finding of this research was that although many people  were content with their current housing circumstances, many felt that they might experience barriers to getting the  services which they would need in the future. In particular, people were worried about having to move into care homes, the impact this might have on their lifestyle, and the attitudes of staff and other service users within care homes towards sexual orientation and gender identity.