Global Aging With Pride: International Perspectives on LGBT Aging

This special issue is a testament that around the globe attention to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) aging is growing. Building upon on the preconference, Global Aging with Pride (Fredriksen-Goldsen, 2017), held at the 21st International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress, this special issue provides an unprecedented compilation of LGBT aging research from across the world. Participants from 16 countries and 5 continents attended the Global Aging with Pride preconference at the World Congress, and it was from this dynamic and interactive exchange of thoughts and experiences that the idea originated for this special issue. In addition to the preconference, multiple symposia and papers were presented on LGBT aging throughout the World Congress further highlighting the emerging nature of the field. Worldwide, the number of older adults is increasing at a rate faster than other age groups with the aging and graying of the population of adults 60 years and older estimated to account for 12.7% of the world’s population (United Nations, 2017). By 2050, the number of older adults will more than double to 2.1 billion (21.4% of the global population), and more than triple by 2100 reaching more than 3 billion (27.7%). The oldest old, aged 80 years and older, is the fastest growing segment globally and is expected to increase almost seven fold to 909 million by 2100 (United Nations, 2017). The definition of “old” varies from nation to nation based on a variety of economic, physical and social conditions, and circumstances. While most countries are trending in the same direction, there are some distinct characteristics across countries. Aging in Asia and Latin America is accelerating and will soon match Europe, which still remains as the oldest region (He, Goodkind, & Kowal, 2016). Asia is the leading region in the size of older populations as well as the speed of aging. Countries in Africa are still the youngest (He et al., 2016). Countries have differing risk factors as well (Dans et al., 2011; Hosseinpoor et al., 2012; Lim et al., 2012; Wu et al., 2015), but the association of multimorbidity with age, being female, lower income level (Arokiasamy et al., 2015) and HIV-positive status (High et al., 2012) are quite similar around the globe. Continuous global surveillance and interventions are needed (Ng et al., 2006). Along with population aging, we are also learning more about the diversity of older adults, including sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. As the older adult population becomes increasingly diverse, new challenges emerge in gerontological research and practice across the globe. Shifting Landscape of LGBT Aging Research Early pioneers in “the aging homosexual” field reinforced some but countered many common misconceptions of lesbian and gay aging. In a 25-year review of the literature on sexual orientation and aging, the first wave of published research dispelled negative stereotypes and myths regarding gay and lesbian aging (Adelman, 1987; Berger, 1984; Berger & Kelly, 1986; Gray & Dressel, 1985; Quam & Whitford, 1992) and was soon followed by three additional historical foci subsequently framing the field, including psychosocial adjustment to aging, identity development, and social and community-based support in the lives of LGBT older adults (Fredriksen-Goldsen & Muraco, 2010). In the early years, there was very limited international research on LGBT aging captured within the field. Over the last decade, the landscape of LGBT aging literature has changed significantly as evidenced by the sheer volume of published work, increased application of theory, more varied research designs and methods, and the emergence of a new area of research investigating the health and well-being of LGBT older adults and the social determinants influencing their aging, health, and well-being (Fredriksen Goldsen, Jen, & Muraco, 2019). Another important trend in the literature emerged with an increasing number of international pieces published. While the majority of the studies reported on a U.S. sample (73.2%), 21.1% had samples exclusively from outside the United States; four studies reported on international samples (Fredriksen Goldsen et al., 2019). Although the field is growing at a rapid rate, there continues to be significant gaps and a lack of visibility and attention to sexual orientation (sexual identity, behavior, and romantic relationships) and gender identity and expression in most cross-cultural aging research. We highlight the lessons learned across the varied international landscape from 6 continents, spanning 10 different countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Israel, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States as well as HIV across the globe. This special issue will be presented in two volumes, with authors sharing research and practices from their home countries describing the realities of older adulthood across diverse LGBT communities. The goal of this special issue is to present LGBT aging research from different areas of the world as well as to highlight the differing types of research on LGBT aging that are underway across distinct cultural settings. The special issue will allow readers to address the important similarities and differences in the experience of LGBT aging across diverse cultural settings, including variations in the definition and meaning of old age itself. Based on their work, authors share feasible strategies to move LGBT aging research, practice, policy and education forward within differing cultural, social, and political environments. Based on the overwhelming response to our call for papers, this special issue represents many types of empirical work, as well as thought pieces, cutting across varied substantive areas. Across the papers, authors share their impressions and observations about LGBT aging and outline a blueprint for action in research, services, and policies to better equip us to understand LGBT aging and the lived lives of these older adults and their families, and communities in an international and global context. As we have considered the many contributions of the papers included, we have been impressed with issues that cut across papers as well as the distinct experiences within specific cultural settings. Some of the themes upon which many papers touched concerned the well-being and physical health of LGBT older persons, including those living with HIV or AIDS, either directly or indirectly; emotional well-being was a correspondingly prominent theme, particularly depression. Relatedly, the risk of isolation and the experience of discrimination, on interpersonal as well as social or societal levels, were similarly frequently noted. Countering some of these life limiting circumstances and conditions were foci on social support and inclusion and especially the presence and even sustenance of friends and family—both chosen and the increasingly positive role of legal or biological kin. This support extended from superficial contacts to life-sustaining care provision. Health care and housing challenges were commonly mentioned highlighting issues of access and acceptance; end-of-life preparations and considerations appear as an emerging issue of concern—and research. Importantly, attention was paid to some of the many strengths LGBT people bring to their later lives, helping to partially mitigate and defy the stressors and strains of minority aging, The ways in which LGBT older persons weave into a coherent narrative these many demands and resources offered a compelling and encouraging glimpse into the lived worlds of LGBT older adults.

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