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

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There is a growing awareness that although lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people, aged over fifty, will in part share a common reality with all older people, their lives will be strongly and sometimes negatively affected by the social organisation of gender and sexuality within society, both in terms of the legacy of the past and present circumstances. For our purposes we are counting people over 50 as 'older' but not necessarily 'old'. The social and legal environment, in which these people have lived their lives has changed significantly over the course of their lifetime. Those who came out or transitioned in earlier decades faced considerable challenges while those coming out or transitioning in later years do so in a very different context. Different generations of LGBT people and the age at which they identified as LGBT and came out or transitioned will have been shaped by the prevailing social attitudes and norms of the time. Despite a growing number of academic researchers who are investigating the lives and needs of older LGBT people, in addition to recent legal and policy changes that have sought to promote equality, there remain some issues that have not been addressed adequately. This seminar series will bring together academics, policy makers, service providers and older LGBT activists and community members to debate major gaps that exist in knowledge and practice and to formulate ways to address them. Based on a thorough review of existing studies and through work with academics, policy makers, service providers and older LGBT people six one-day seminars are planned to cover areas where knowledge is currently lacking: older bisexual people's lives; older trans people's experiences; race, ethnicity and religion in older LGBT people's lives; economics, resources and social networks; intergenerational issues; and health and social care. Each seminar will commence with two guest speakers, followed by a question and answer session. Subsequently, a workshop will take place during which delegates will be asked to formulate two 'points of action', things that they could do in a professional or personal capacity that would bridge a current gap in knowledge and ultimately benefit older LGBT people. A final showcase conference at the end of the seminar series will allow delegates to review progress on their 'points of action', to consider challenges and successes and to think about what steps need to be taken next. Overall, the seminar series is concerned to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds, to fill in gaps in existing knowledge.