Many LGBTQ+ Adults Worry About Social Isolation, Support as They Age

Ron Blake doesn’t just talk about the importance of social connections — he lives it.

The 55-year-old gay artist and activist says he makes it a point to introduce himself to someone new almost every day. Blake says he believes having a close-knit group of friends is especially important for LGBTQ+ older adults, who might not have children or who could be estranged from family.

“Even if you’re married and have a spouse, if they’re your only friend and something happens to them, you could be left alone,” says Blake, who lives in Phoenix.

It’s a common worry among people in the LGBTQ+ community, according to a new AARP survey of more than 2,200 LGBTQ+ adults ages 45 and older, conducted in April.

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