one person holding rainbow color frame with another person within frame smiling

Belonging isn’t a bonus in retirement; it’s essential. LGBTQ+ older adults deserve homes where they’re seen, safe and supported. At Beatitudes Campus, that promise is real: we’ve been named a 2025 Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) Leader, the equality index’s highest tier and earned by only 11% of participating communities. Just 31 communities nationwide hold this distinction, and we’re proud to be one of them.

Being an LEI Leader signals progress from promise to practice. It means our community meets earlier-tier benchmarks and has adopted best practices across resident services, employee benefits and policies, and resident and community engagement.

While recognition is important, daily follow-through is what counts. At Beatitudes Campus, inclusion shows up in how we communicate, program, hire, train and support residents, team members and visitors.

LEI 101: Measuring What Matters for LGBTQ+ Residents and Staff

The LEI index is a national benchmarking tool created by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and SAGE. Its purpose is to help long-term living and senior housing communities deliver consistent, equality care for LGBTQ+ residents, staff and families.

Many communities want to be inclusive yet may be unsure how to build gender-affirming, discrimination-free policies. The LEI provides a road map built on four pillars that measure inclusion. Together, they form a framework for delivering equality care:

  1. Non-discrimination and staff training: Clear protections for LGBTQ+ residents and staff paired with training that turns policy into everyday practice.
  2. Resident services and support: Person-centered policies, tools and culture that affirm identity and dignity.
  3. Employee benefits and policies: Equal treatment for LGBTQ+ employees, including access to inclusive health-related benefits. Explore job opportunities.
  4. Resident and community engagement: Visible outreach, partnerships and programming that demonstrate commitment inside and beyond the community. Read: Where Pride Meets Community.

Guided by Equality Index: Moving Forward With Intention

Earning the LEI designation shows that Beatitudes Campus has made intentional choices to ensure LGBTQ+ residents, staff and visitors feel valued. You’ll see it in inclusive marketing, welcoming programming, equitable policies and ongoing training.

You’ll also experience it in how we invite dialogue and encourage participation across campus. We view the state equality index as an additional context for understanding policy environments, and we use it to inform our efforts to keep moving forward.

Kelly Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, thanked participating communities for taking inclusion seriously. “Their work sends a powerful message: LGBTQ+ people deserve to age with dignity, safety and pride in communities that see and understand who they are,” she said.

“The best care is found in communities that embrace our full humanity and lived experiences, from residents to staff and visitors.” Her words echo what so many families want: reliable support in a place that recognizes the whole person.

Why It Matters: From Stigma to Support

It’s easy to understand why this work is essential. Many LGBTQ+ older adults have navigated stigma for decades. About 4.5% of Americans age 50+ (roughly 2.6 million people) identify as LGBTQ+. Even with greater visibility, LGBTQ+ older adults have often been overlooked by aging services, which can lead to care gaps. An AARP study found that 85% fear discrimination based on sexual orientation when seeking support, and many feel pressure to conceal their identity to access services.

Across the country, 274 long-term care communities in 33 states are participating in the LEI. The LEI index helps providers evaluate where they are, set next steps and track progress. It’s designed to support all LGBTQ+ older adults, paying particular attention to those who may face additional barriers, including LGBTQ+ elders of color, transgender older adults and those in rural areas. As more communities engage with the equality index, the network of inclusive options expands, providing families with clearer guidance and better choices.

See LEI in Action: Visit Beatitudes Campus

For residents and families, the LEI designation signals our community has built structures that help people feel welcome and supported. It’s also a commitment to keep learning and improving. That’s the spirit of the LEI and the promise we make to those who call Beatitudes Campus home.

We invite you to experience these principles in daily life — at events, in conversations with residents and team members — and across programs that foster connection. The LEI recognition affirms what our community strives for: a place where people can be themselves and expect consistent, equality care.

Discover how Beatitudes Campus champions inclusivity, diversity and community for all. Call (602) 833-1358 or visit with us.

Related Posts