Indeed, she is not. A wide array of research has documented continuing housing discrimination against older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Image Letters of support received by Marsha Wetzel. Credit... Lyndon French for The New York Times

A survey of L.G.B.T. adults living in long-term care settings by Justice in Aging, a legal advocacy group, found that a majority believed they would face discrimination from housing staff if they were open about their sexual orientation. The report captured hundreds of stories of problems encountered by L.G.B.T. seniors with housing staff, ranging from harassment to refusals to provide basic services or care.

“You’re in a communal living setting that puts a lot of pressure on people,” says Eric Carlson, directing attorney for Justice in Aging. “Imagine how oppressive it is to have to be guarded about who you are or your family and friends.”

Another study documented discrimination by senior housing facilities against prospective residents. The Equal Rights Center sent senior L.G.B.T. and straight couples to apply for housing in 10 states; 48 percent of the gay couples experienced at least one type of discriminatory practice, ranging from differences in availability, pricing, rental incentives, amenities and application requirements.

The discriminatory practices are not limited to senior housing. A larger “pair test” study by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 50 metropolitan markets found that rental housing applications by heterosexual couples were frequently favored over those from gay male and lesbian couples.

“The research clearly shows that people in the L.G.B.T. community face discrimination and barriers that others don’t,” said Linda Couch, director of housing policy and priorities at LeadingAge, an association representing 6,000 aging services agencies. Housing providers, she added, need to “make clear to residents that their buildings are places where all are welcome and discrimination won’t be tolerated. We are not quite there yet, but our members are interested in being there.”

The aging of the baby boom generation is already increasing demand for community living options for seniors; the need is expected to be even greater for gays and lesbians. “They are more likely to be poor, and more likely to be living without family members who can support them,” Ms. Couch said.