Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T03:42:45.378Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Growing old as a gay man: how life has changed for the gay liberation generation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2014

ANTHONY LYONS ,
SAMANTHA CROY ,
CATHERINE BARRETT  and
CAROLYN WHYTE
ANTHONY LYONS*
Affiliation:
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
SAMANTHA CROY
Affiliation:
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
CATHERINE BARRETT
Affiliation:
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
CAROLYN WHYTE
Affiliation:
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
*
Address for correspondence: Anthony Lyons, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Men in the gay liberation generation are approaching or entering older age. Being at the forefront of gay rights movements since the 1970s and 1980s, this generation has experienced dramatic changes in gay life. The present study aimed to provide a greater understanding of this generation by examining some of the ways these men perceive their changing lives. Participants included 439 Australian gay-identified men aged 50 years and older who completed an online survey of their health and wellbeing. These men gave unrestricted open-ended responses to a question on how life had changed for them as a gay man since being aged in their twenties. Responses were analysed qualitatively using a thematic analysis approach to identify main themes. Participants expressed many positive changes to their lives, including greater public- and self-acceptance of their sexuality, greater confidence and self-esteem, and more freedom for same-sex relationships. However, some men expressed a loss of gay community compared to their younger years and a perception that the younger generation under-appreciated the struggles they had endured. Age- and HIV-related stigma from within the gay community, as well as a loss of sexual attractiveness, also emerged as concerns for some participants. These findings may assist researchers, health professionals and aged care services to further understand the needs and experiences of this older generation of gay men.

Keywords

gay menmen who have sex with menolderageingstigmawellbeinggay rights
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 35 , Issue 10 , November 2015 , pp. 2229 - 2250
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adam, B. D. 1987. The Rise of a Gay and Lesbian Movement. Twayne, Boston, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Adam, B. D., Duyvendak, J. W. and Krouwel, A. 1999. The Global Emergence of Gay and Lesbian Politics: National Imprints of a Worldwide Movement. Temple University Press, Philadelphia.Google Scholar
Andersen, R. and Fetner, T. 2008. Economic inequality and intolerance: attitudes toward homosexuality in 35 democracies. American Journal of Political Science, 52, 4, 942–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013. Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, 2010–2011. Available online at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/8146.02010-11?OpenDocument [Accessed 4 February 2013].Google Scholar
Baams, L., Jonas, K. J., Utz, S., Bos, H. and Van Der Vuurst, L. 2011. Internet use and online social support among same sex attracted individuals of different ages. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 5, 1820–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balsam, K. F. and D'Augelli, A. R. 2006. The victimization of older LGBT adults: patterns, impact, and implications for intervention. In Kimmel, D., Rose, T. and David, S. (eds), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging: Research and Clinical Perspectives. Columbia University Press, New York, 110–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bergling, T. 2004. Reeling in the Years: Gay Men's Perspectives on Age and Ageism. Haworth Press, New York.Google Scholar
Beyrer, C., Baral, S. D., van Griensven, F., Goodreau, S. M., Chariyalertsak, S., Wirtz, A. L. and Brookmeyer, R. 2012. Global epidemiology of HIV infection in men who have sex with men. Lancet, 380, 9839, 367–77.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 2, 77–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brotman, S., Ryan, B., Collins, S., Chamberland, L., Cormier, R., Julien, D., Meyer, E., Peterkin, A. and Richard, B. 2007. Coming out to care: caregivers of gay and lesbian seniors in Canada. Gerontologist, 47, 4, 490–503.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Browne, K., Lim, J. and Brown, G. 2009. Geographies of Sexualities: Theory, Practices and Politics. Ashgate, Farnham, UK.Google Scholar
Clarke, V., Ellis, S. J., Peel, E. and Riggs, D. W. 2010. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer Psychology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clover, D. 2006. Overcoming barriers for older gay men in the use of health services: a qualitative study of growing older, sexuality and health. Health Education Journal, 65, 1, 41–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
D'Augelli, A. and Grossman, A. 2001. Disclosure of sexual orientation, victimization, and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16, 10, 1008–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dewaele, A., Cox, N., Van den Berghe, W. and Vincke, J. 2011. Families of choice? Exploring the supportive networks of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41, 2, 312–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Emlet, C. A., Kim, H.-J., Muraco, A., Erosheva, E. A., Goldsen, J. and Hoy-Ellis, C. P. 2013 a. The physical and mental health of lesbian, gay male, and bisexual (LGB) older adults: the role of key health indicators and risk and protective factors. The Gerontologist, 53, 4, 664–75.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Kim, H.-J., Barkan, S. E., Muraco, A. and Hoy-Ellis, C. P. 2013 b. Health disparities among lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults: results from a population-based study. American Journal of Public Health, 103, 10, 1802–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I. and Muraco, A. 2010. Aging and sexual orientation: a 25-year review of the literature. Research on Aging, 32, 3, 372–413.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Friend, R. A. 1990. Older lesbian and gay people: a theory of successful aging. Journal of Homosexuality, 20, 3/4, 99–118.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gudelunas, D. 2012. There's an app for that: the uses and gratifications of online social networks for gay men. Sexuality and Culture, 16, 4, 347–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harding, R. 2006. ‘Dogs are “registered”, people shouldn't be’: legal consciousness and lesbian and gay rights. Social and Legal Studies, 15, 4, 511–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heaphy, B. 2007. Sexualities, gender and ageing: resources and social change. Current Sociology, 55, 2, 193–210.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Herek, G. M. 2000. Sexual prejudice and gender: do heterosexuals’ attitudes toward lesbians and gay men differ? Journal of Social Issues, 56, 2, 251–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, K. and Fenge, L.-A. 2013. Involving older gay men in research: the lure of group experience. In Pinni, B. and Pease, B. (eds), Men, Masculinities and Methodologies. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK, 209–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, K., Fenge, L.-A., Read, R. and Cash, M. 2013. Collecting older lesbians’ and gay men's stories of rural life in South West England and Wales: ‘we were obviously gay girls…(so) he removed his cow from our field’. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 14, 2, 1–21.Google Scholar
Jowett, A. and Peel, E. 2009. Chronic illness in non-heterosexual contexts: an online survey of experiences. Feminism and Psychology, 19, 4, 454–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jowett, A. and Peel, E. 2010. ‘Seismic cultural change?’: British media representations of same-sex ‘marriage’. Women's Studies International Forum, 33, 3, 206–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jowett, A., Peel, E. and Shaw, R. L. 2012. Sex and diabetes: a thematic analysis of gay and bisexual men's accounts. Journal of Health Psychology, 17, 3, 409–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kimmel, D. 2012. Counseling older gay men. In Dworkin, S. H. and Pope, M. (eds), Casebook for Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Persons and Their Families. American Counseling Association, Alexandria, Virginia, 53–61.Google Scholar
Lea, T., Reynolds, R. and de Wit, J. 2013. Alcohol and club drug use among same-sex attracted young people: associations with frequenting the lesbian and gay scene and other bars and nightclubs. Substance Use and Misuse, 48, 1/2, 129–36.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lyons, A. 2014. Resilience in lebians and gay men: findings from an Australian nationwide online survey. In Periera, H. and Costa, P. (eds), Coming Out for LGBT Psychology. International Academy of LGBT Psychology and Related Fields, Lisbon, 286–93.Google Scholar
Lyons, A., Pitts, M. and Grierson, J. 2012. Exploring the psychological impact of HIV: health comparisons of older Australian HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men. AIDS and Behavior, 16, 8, 2340–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lyons, A., Pitts, M. and Grierson, J. 2013 a. Factors related to positive mental health in a stigmatized minority: an investigation of older gay men. Journal of Aging and Health, 25, 7, 1159–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lyons, A., Pitts, M. and Grierson, J. 2013 b. Growing old as a gay man: psychosocial wellbeing of a sexual minority. Research on Aging, 35, 3, 275–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lyons, A., Pitts, M., Grierson, J. W., Smith, A., McNally, S. and Couch, M. 2012. Sexual behavior and HIV testing among bisexual men: a nationwide comparison of Australian bisexual-identifying and gay-identifying men. AIDS and Behavior, 16, 7, 1934–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lyons, A., Pitts, M., Grierson, J., Thorpe, R. and Power, J. 2010. Ageing with HIV: health and psychosocial well-being of older gay men. AIDS Care, 22, 10, 1236–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martin, J. L. 1988. Psychological consequences of AIDS-related bereavement among gay men. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 6, 856–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morrow, D. F. 2001. Older gays and lesbians: surviving a generation of hate and violence. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 13, 1/2, 151–69.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peel, E. and Harding, R. 2008. Editorial introduction: Recognizing and celebrating same-sex relationships: beyond the normative debate. Sexualities, 11, 6, 659–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Price, E. 2005. All but invisible: older gay men and lesbians. Nursing Older People, 17, 4, 16–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pugh, S. 2005. Assessing the cultural needs of older lesbians and gay men: implications for practice. Practice, 17, 3, 207–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reynold, R. 2007. What Happened to Gay Life? University of New South Wales Press, Sydney.Google Scholar
Rissel, C. E., Richters, J., Grulich, A. E., Visser, R. O. and Smith, A. 2003. Sex in Australia: selected characteristics of regular sexual relationships. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27, 2, 124–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rosenfeld, D., Bartlam, B. and Smith, R. D. 2012. Out of the closet and into the trenches: gay male baby boomers, aging, and HIV/AIDS. The Gerontologist, 52, 2, 255–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ross, M. W. 1979. Heterosexual marriage of homosexual males: some associated factors. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 5, 2, 142–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ruel, E. and Campbell, R. T. 2006. Homophobia and HIV/AIDS: attitude change in the face of an epidemic. Social Forces, 84, 4, 2167–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siegel, J. M., Angulo, F., Detels, R., Wesch, J. and Mullen, A. 1999. AIDS diagnosis and depression in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study: the ameliorating impact of pet ownership. AIDS Care, 11, 2, 157–170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, A., Lyons, A., Ferris, J., Richters, J., Pitts, M., Shelley, J. and Simpson, J. M. 2011. Sexual and relationship satisfaction among heterosexual men and women: the importance of desired frequency of sex. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 37, 2, 104–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Valentine, G. 2010. Prejudice: rethinking geographies of oppression. Social & Cultural Geography, 11, 6, 519–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wassersug, R. J., Lyons, A., Duncan, D., Dowsett, G. W. and Pitts, M. 2013. Diagnostic and outcome differences between heterosexual and nonheterosexual men treated for prostate cancer. Urology, 82, 3, 565–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weeks, J. 2007. The World We Have Won: The Remaking of Erotic and Intimate Life. Routledge, New York.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Woolcock, G. and Altman, D. 1999. The largest street party in the world: the gay and lesbian movement in Australia. In Adam, B. D., Duyvendak, J. W. and Krouwel, A. (eds), The Global Emergence of Gay and Lesbian Politics: National Imprints of a Worldwide Movement. Temple University Press, Philadelphia, 326–43.Google Scholar
Woolhead, G., Calnan, M., Dieppe, P. and Tadd, W. 2004. Dignity in older age: what do older people in the United Kingdom think? Age and Ageing, 33, 2, 165–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed