Stereotypes
This is the “hidden segment” of an “invisible” minority.
Only 0.16% of [nursing] articles focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health (8 of nearly 5000 articles) and were biased toward authors outside of the United States.
Eliason, M. J., Dibble, S., & DeJoseph, J. (2010). Nursing’s silence on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. Advances In Nursing Science, 33(3), 206-218.
The image of younger gay people as partiers dancing the night away doesn’t match our perspective of older folks.
What images may arise are those of older predators stalking young boys (e.g., Jerry Sandusky). But most older gay people have little to no contact with young children. There is no known link between being gay and being a pedophile.
This is the “hidden segment” of an “invisible” minority.
Only 0.16% of [nursing] articles focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health (8 of nearly 5000 articles) and were biased toward authors outside of the United States.
Eliason, M. J., Dibble, S., & DeJoseph, J. (2010). Nursing’s silence on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. Advances In Nursing Science, 33(3), 206-218.
The image of younger gay people as partiers dancing the night away doesn’t match our perspective of older folks.
What images may arise are those of older predators stalking young boys (e.g., Jerry Sandusky). But most older gay people have little to no contact with young children. There is no known link between being gay and being a pedophile.
Are LGBT Elderly Lonely?
Gay people are more likely to be alone, but it is not inevitable
This article gives a nice summary.
Here's a peer-reviewed article abstract on the topic, too:
Past research has consistently found that aging lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) are more apt to suffer from loneliness than their heterosexual counterparts. Data from the 2002 Gay Autumn survey (N = 122) were used to find out whether minority stress relates to higher levels of loneliness among older LGB adults in the Netherlands. We examined five minority stress factors: external objective stressful events, expectations of those events, internalized homonegativity, hiding and concealment of one’s LGB identity, and ameliorating processes. The results showed that greater insight into loneliness among older LGB adults was obtained when minority stress factors were considered. Older LGB adults who had experienced negative reactions, as well as aging LGBs who expected those reactions, had the highest levels of loneliness. Having an LGB social network buffered against the impact of minority stress. These minority stress processes added to the variance already explained by general factors that influenced levels of loneliness (partner relationships, general social network, physical health, and self-esteem). Interventions aimed at decreasing feelings of loneliness among older LGBs should be focused on decreasing societal homonegativity (to decrease the amount of negative and prejudiced reactions) and on the enhancement of social activities for LGB elderly (Kuyper, L., & Fokkema, T. (2010). Loneliness among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: The role of minority stress. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 39(5), 1171-1180. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9513-7)
Gay people are more likely to be alone, but it is not inevitable
This article gives a nice summary.
Here's a peer-reviewed article abstract on the topic, too:
Past research has consistently found that aging lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) are more apt to suffer from loneliness than their heterosexual counterparts. Data from the 2002 Gay Autumn survey (N = 122) were used to find out whether minority stress relates to higher levels of loneliness among older LGB adults in the Netherlands. We examined five minority stress factors: external objective stressful events, expectations of those events, internalized homonegativity, hiding and concealment of one’s LGB identity, and ameliorating processes. The results showed that greater insight into loneliness among older LGB adults was obtained when minority stress factors were considered. Older LGB adults who had experienced negative reactions, as well as aging LGBs who expected those reactions, had the highest levels of loneliness. Having an LGB social network buffered against the impact of minority stress. These minority stress processes added to the variance already explained by general factors that influenced levels of loneliness (partner relationships, general social network, physical health, and self-esteem). Interventions aimed at decreasing feelings of loneliness among older LGBs should be focused on decreasing societal homonegativity (to decrease the amount of negative and prejudiced reactions) and on the enhancement of social activities for LGB elderly (Kuyper, L., & Fokkema, T. (2010). Loneliness among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: The role of minority stress. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 39(5), 1171-1180. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9513-7)
There are also retirement homes being
started for LGBT people
The generation of gays and lesbians that literally created the modern LGBT movement -- from the heroes of the 1969 Stonewall riots to their slightly younger friends -- is at, or nearing, retirement age. That used to mean the beginning of an extremely difficult time in an LGBT person's life. But as gay baby boomers find more acceptance in mainstream society and continue to do what they've always done -- push to make a better world for the LGBT community -- their retirement options are slowly improving. That is, if they decide to retire at all.
Read more here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/09/health/lgbt-retirement/
started for LGBT people
The generation of gays and lesbians that literally created the modern LGBT movement -- from the heroes of the 1969 Stonewall riots to their slightly younger friends -- is at, or nearing, retirement age. That used to mean the beginning of an extremely difficult time in an LGBT person's life. But as gay baby boomers find more acceptance in mainstream society and continue to do what they've always done -- push to make a better world for the LGBT community -- their retirement options are slowly improving. That is, if they decide to retire at all.
Read more here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/09/health/lgbt-retirement/
Transsexuals and Aging
“Yes, transitioning young has better results. However, being very young and being very old have a similar benefit in terms of passing. A very old person can pass well with transition, because as we greatly age, we all, male and female, tend to look more alike. The truly difficult period for transition is the part in the middle, between youth and old age, when sexual differences are the most obvious.”
http://transsexual.org/basicsoftransition.html
An article by Dr Sanguan Kunaporn in the Journal of Asian Sexology brutally notes that "Thai M-F transsexuals seeking SRS are younger. They generally look and behave very natural as genetic women. Because of this, it is obvious to any non-medical person that they are qualified candidates for the surgery. On the other
hand, most of the American transsexuals come out when they are much older, many do not pass so well as females.“
http://www.secondtype.info/stealth.htm
“Yes, transitioning young has better results. However, being very young and being very old have a similar benefit in terms of passing. A very old person can pass well with transition, because as we greatly age, we all, male and female, tend to look more alike. The truly difficult period for transition is the part in the middle, between youth and old age, when sexual differences are the most obvious.”
http://transsexual.org/basicsoftransition.html
An article by Dr Sanguan Kunaporn in the Journal of Asian Sexology brutally notes that "Thai M-F transsexuals seeking SRS are younger. They generally look and behave very natural as genetic women. Because of this, it is obvious to any non-medical person that they are qualified candidates for the surgery. On the other
hand, most of the American transsexuals come out when they are much older, many do not pass so well as females.“
http://www.secondtype.info/stealth.htm
Double Discrimination
Ageism combined with heterosexist assumptions. It is important to reinforce that nobody has a shelf-life.
Myths
Triple marginalization can also occur with ethnicity or religion. The more minority status a person has, the greater the potential for discrimination.
Loss of past: In additional to dealing with aging process is a youth-centered society, GLBT (especially trans) elderly may have lost most of their pre-coming out friendships or family. This adds to the existential anxiety of figuring out your purpose and meaning in life.
Ageism combined with heterosexist assumptions. It is important to reinforce that nobody has a shelf-life.
Myths
- Old people are not interested in sex (fact: sex is an important part of most healthy, intimate relationships)
- All gays are the same (fact: there is more ageism in the gay community than lesbian community)
Triple marginalization can also occur with ethnicity or religion. The more minority status a person has, the greater the potential for discrimination.
Loss of past: In additional to dealing with aging process is a youth-centered society, GLBT (especially trans) elderly may have lost most of their pre-coming out friendships or family. This adds to the existential anxiety of figuring out your purpose and meaning in life.
How old is “old?”
One gay man told me, “Nobody loves a fairy after they are 40.” These types of comments have led to the creation of pop psychology articles to help middle aged gay men succeed in dating. Here is one such article:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Dating-For-The-40+-Gay-Man:-7-Steps-To-Success&id=453827
One gay man told me, “Nobody loves a fairy after they are 40.” These types of comments have led to the creation of pop psychology articles to help middle aged gay men succeed in dating. Here is one such article:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Dating-For-The-40+-Gay-Man:-7-Steps-To-Success&id=453827
Comfort in old age?
Most (95%) of older adults are out to at least some family members and friends
In one study, 37% of gay males and 23% of lesbians hide their sexuality throughout their lives.
For Transfolk, it is not unheard of for people to transition in their 80s. In the U.S. transitioning in 40s and 50s is most common. Just about everywhere else, people usually transition in their 20s.
Dignity and Safety. Here is a video of middle-aged couples talking about their transgender transitions and the respect that they can generate after fully accepting themselves.
Most (95%) of older adults are out to at least some family members and friends
In one study, 37% of gay males and 23% of lesbians hide their sexuality throughout their lives.
For Transfolk, it is not unheard of for people to transition in their 80s. In the U.S. transitioning in 40s and 50s is most common. Just about everywhere else, people usually transition in their 20s.
Dignity and Safety. Here is a video of middle-aged couples talking about their transgender transitions and the respect that they can generate after fully accepting themselves.
A really old Gay man
This may not directly to the aging process, but archaeologists have discovered 5,000 year old remains of a man he believes is the “old” homosexual or transsexual in human history. This is because it was buried by a specific ritual Stone Age women.
“The history and ethnology, we know that people in this time taking seriously the funeral rites, so it is very unlikely that this position be a mistake to frame” , said archaeologist Remisova Vesinova Kamila , team coordinator who dealt with this case . “Rather, we are dealing with a man of a different sexual orientation:
gay or transsexual” she added. Skeleton man who supposedly dating from the years 2900-2500 BC, was found in a
suburb of Prague, with head positioned to the east and surrounded by cooking pots, ritual found so far only for women inmomantarii Age stone.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/history/the-oldest-gay-or-transsexual-is-5000-years/#ixzz21NxgiXAC
This may not directly to the aging process, but archaeologists have discovered 5,000 year old remains of a man he believes is the “old” homosexual or transsexual in human history. This is because it was buried by a specific ritual Stone Age women.
“The history and ethnology, we know that people in this time taking seriously the funeral rites, so it is very unlikely that this position be a mistake to frame” , said archaeologist Remisova Vesinova Kamila , team coordinator who dealt with this case . “Rather, we are dealing with a man of a different sexual orientation:
gay or transsexual” she added. Skeleton man who supposedly dating from the years 2900-2500 BC, was found in a
suburb of Prague, with head positioned to the east and surrounded by cooking pots, ritual found so far only for women inmomantarii Age stone.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/history/the-oldest-gay-or-transsexual-is-5000-years/#ixzz21NxgiXAC
Successful aging
Finances are central. People with lower incomes are most concerned with the aging process.
Medical needs are important, especially for transfolks (where there may be hormone or older surgeries) or those with HIV.
Finances are central. People with lower incomes are most concerned with the aging process.
Medical needs are important, especially for transfolks (where there may be hormone or older surgeries) or those with HIV.
AIDS Introduction
We introduced HIV in the Health chapter, but there is also an element associated with aging. People can live with HIV for years without it becoming AIDS. AIDS is a significant problem for both gay males and mtf transsexuals.
This video depicts the process of HIV becoming AIDS:
We introduced HIV in the Health chapter, but there is also an element associated with aging. People can live with HIV for years without it becoming AIDS. AIDS is a significant problem for both gay males and mtf transsexuals.
This video depicts the process of HIV becoming AIDS:
Frontline did a great job in 2006 documenting the story of AIDS (below)
AIDS and Mental Health
Research conducted in South Africa and other parts of the world has revealed that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are more at risk of developing a mental disorder than the general population.
Mall, S., Sorsdahl, K., Swartz, L., & Joska, J. (2012). “I understand just a little…” perspectives of HIV/AIDS service providers in South Africa of providing mental health care for people living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Care, 24(3), 319-323. doi:10.1080/09540121.2011.608790
Increases in felt stigma were associated with increases in anxiety and depression among participants who reported relatively high levels of disengagement coping compared to participants who reported relatively low levels of disengagement coping.
Varni, S. E., Miller, C. T., McCuin, T., & Solomon, S. (2012). Disengagement and engagement coping with HIV/AIDS stigma and psychological well-being of people with HIV/AIDS.Journal Of Social And Clinical Psychology, 31(2), 123-150. doi:10.1521/jscp.2012.31.2.123
Research conducted in South Africa and other parts of the world has revealed that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are more at risk of developing a mental disorder than the general population.
Mall, S., Sorsdahl, K., Swartz, L., & Joska, J. (2012). “I understand just a little…” perspectives of HIV/AIDS service providers in South Africa of providing mental health care for people living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Care, 24(3), 319-323. doi:10.1080/09540121.2011.608790
Increases in felt stigma were associated with increases in anxiety and depression among participants who reported relatively high levels of disengagement coping compared to participants who reported relatively low levels of disengagement coping.
Varni, S. E., Miller, C. T., McCuin, T., & Solomon, S. (2012). Disengagement and engagement coping with HIV/AIDS stigma and psychological well-being of people with HIV/AIDS.Journal Of Social And Clinical Psychology, 31(2), 123-150. doi:10.1521/jscp.2012.31.2.123
Bereavement and Death
Widowhood is particularly difficult when marriage or legal unions are not possible.
Same-sex partners can sometimes be denied decisions about life support, life-saving operations, funeral arrangements, shared housing, financial resources, personal belongings, executing a will, etc.
These risks are greater when the couple is not “out.”
The risks exist because the “partner” is not “a relative.”
This has become a common story for transfolks:
Widowhood is particularly difficult when marriage or legal unions are not possible.
Same-sex partners can sometimes be denied decisions about life support, life-saving operations, funeral arrangements, shared housing, financial resources, personal belongings, executing a will, etc.
These risks are greater when the couple is not “out.”
The risks exist because the “partner” is not “a relative.”
This has become a common story for transfolks:
Disenfranchised grief (Doka, 1989)
Disenfranchised grief is a term describing grief that is not socially recognized. The loss is not acknowledged by others as being genuine (e.g., "it’s not like you were married").
Grievers are unrecognized (“chosen family” members aren’t real family).
These issues are often compounded if the death also violated social norms (e.g., suicide or AIDS).
Here is Jerry Falwell starting the belief that gays and lesibans (and others) were responsible for 9/11
Disenfranchised grief is a term describing grief that is not socially recognized. The loss is not acknowledged by others as being genuine (e.g., "it’s not like you were married").
Grievers are unrecognized (“chosen family” members aren’t real family).
These issues are often compounded if the death also violated social norms (e.g., suicide or AIDS).
Here is Jerry Falwell starting the belief that gays and lesibans (and others) were responsible for 9/11
Topic: Where should queer research go next?
The next lecture is going to emphasize this topic, so it's probably premature to comment on it too much here. The point is to start considering what we still need to learn and how we can get there. Much of the current literature is focused on public policy and how failure to recognize LGBT families is having a negative effect on the couples and their children. But there is more to consider as well. See what you think of the next lecture and the chapter from the book. I'm sure you will come up with something neither has addressed.
The next lecture is going to emphasize this topic, so it's probably premature to comment on it too much here. The point is to start considering what we still need to learn and how we can get there. Much of the current literature is focused on public policy and how failure to recognize LGBT families is having a negative effect on the couples and their children. But there is more to consider as well. See what you think of the next lecture and the chapter from the book. I'm sure you will come up with something neither has addressed.
