Considering the large number of older lesbian women in the United States, it’s no wonder that they’re often underrepresented in academic research. Although there have been a number of studies that have focused on examining the characteristics of women who identify as lesbians, few have explored the experiences of older lesbian women as they relate to gender.
Fortunately, two recent books, Older Lesbian Women: Their Lives, Experiences and Perspectives and Findings from Brigit Forsyth’s Oral History Project, have taken a closer look at this population.
Findings from Claassen’s book
Using interviews with 44 women over 55, Claassen explores the lives of older lesbians. Her findings focus on their economic status and their relationship to other women in their community. She notes that “the social and political contexts in which elders live their lives are very important.”
These findings are particularly important to understanding how aging impacts women’s experiences. The social constructionist approach is useful for analyzing these issues. It is important to recognize that the “present-tense” voice of an older woman never exists without the past.
One of the most interesting findings of this book is the significance of marriage to the accumulation of wealth. Claassen finds that married women were more likely to have higher levels of wealth than unmarried women. She also demonstrates that marriage had a significant influence on the employment status of her subjects.
Despite the societal stigma surrounding older lesbians, this book shows that they are no different from heterosexuals. In fact, they are seeking a sense of identity in their later life. They are also experiencing social isolation.
Findings from Eversmeyer’s database search
During an oral history project that began in 1997, Arden Eversmeyer gathered stories from friends about their experiences as older lesbian women. The research was designed to identify health disparities among LGB older adults. It involved focus groups of LGB older adults, as well as interviews with LGB grandmothers.
A total of 26 LGB older adults participated in the focus groups. The average age was 72.3 years. These participants were from three different geographic areas. These included suburban and rural communities, as well as major metropolitan areas. Most respondents were Caucasian. In addition, 91 percent of participants were male. These results are likely to reflect internalized cultural messages about LGBT individuals.
In addition to the social stigma associated with being a lesbian, LGB older adults cited challenges in getting adequate housing and health care. Compared to heterosexuals, the risk of heart attack was higher for LGB older adults. In addition, LGB older adults reported higher rates of low back or neck pain, as well as sleep problems.
Findings from Brigit Forsyth’s oral histories
Dame Sian Phillips and Brigit Forsyth are no strangers to the big screen. They’ve appeared together in the likes of Boon and Whatever happened to the Likely Lads. They also made the cut as stars of the BBC Wales’s Still Open All Hours. They were also part of the team that put on the most impressive gaff at a Pride Cymru fundraiser. So, they’re obviously in the know about what’s cool and what’s not.
They’re not the only ones. The University of Wales Press recently published a new book, A Little Gay History of Wales, which is a compendium of LGBT stories from Welsh lands. The book is a must read for anyone with an interest in Welsh history. In it, you’ll find an array of archival and oral testimonies, including the aforementioned gaff, and a slew of interesting characters. This trove of gold is a boon to anyone seeking to make sense of the nation’s LGBT past and present.
Discussion
Despite the growing number of older lesbians, there has been little research about their health and well-being. There is a need to conduct research and provide programs and services that address their needs.
The authors of this study conducted a literature review of health-related studies that focused on older lesbians, and examined the gaps in knowledge about this population. Their findings suggest that future studies need to consider the unique needs of this population, including their conceptions of sexual behavior, their experiences of discrimination, and their preferences for where to live. They recommend that service providers be sensitive to these issues, and that culturally competent services be developed to meet the needs of this population.
This study explored the needs and expectations of a cohort of older lesbians in Boston. It used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the experiences of this population. It included an online survey, two focus groups, and an examination of discrimination experiences. It was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Fenway Institute.