Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People: Minding the Knowledge Gaps

What does it mean to grow older as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBT) person? What gaps in knowledge about LGBT ageing remain? This timely and innovative book reports on a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council which aimed to address gaps in knowledge about older LGBT people and their experiences of ageing. The book discusses the project and contains chapters either specially commissioned or written by leading researchers and activists in the field.Informed by a range of theoretical perspectives, empirical research studies, critical observations as well as lived experiences, this book explores areas of LGBT ageing that have been under-studied. These include: bisexual ageing; trans ageing and older trans people’s mental health; ethnicity, culture and religion in the lives of older LGBT people and gaps in knowledge about older LGBT people from minority ethnic communities; intergenerational networks; residential and end-of-life care; and the effects of austerity on services. Written in an accessible style, this book is essential for researchers and policy makers interested in the lives of older LGBT people, people who work with older people and teachers and students interested in ageing, gender identity and sexuality.

About the Author

Andrew King is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Surrey, UK where he also co-directs the Centre for Research on Ageing and Gender (CRAG). He has researched and written about LGBT ageing for more than ten years.

Kathryn Almack is Professor of Health, Young People and Family Lives in Health and Social Work at the University of Hertfordshire. She has researched and written on LGBT family lives across the life course over the past twenty years, with a focus on LGBT end-of-life care over the past ten years.

Yiu-tung SUEN is Assistant Professor on the Gender Studies Programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is the Founding Director of the Sexualities Research Programme, the first research programme in Hong Kong dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexuality issues, with a focus on sexual orientation, gender identity, law and social policy.

Sue Westwood is a freelance researcher and writer, and an Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She published widely in the field of LGBT ageing.