Lesbians and Gay Men Over 60. Where are they? Part 3
It was only in 1973 that the American Psychiatric Association decided that homosexuality was no longer to be classified as an illness. With this in mind, we can see the need to change the pervasive way of thinking that has persisted with regard to the gay part of the population.
One reason there is little known about gay/lesbian people who are aging is their invisibility. What causes this invisibility? Ponder this thought: what if you risked losing your job and livelihood if your sexual orientation became known; what if negative stereotypes were applied to you; would you want to be known as a pervert? Not only are such statements cruel, but hey also serve to oppress they gay population! This oppression has been going on for years; therefore, the older gay population has witnessed many acts of discrimination. They are used to hiding themselves for their own self-protection. This must be kept in mind when trying to give services to this population.
Another point worth mentioning is that this invisibility of the gay population leads many to underestimate its actual number. It may also reinforce stereotypes. Clinicians tend to generalize their attitudes from that part of the gay population which comes to them for help.
Let us look at the older gay population. It has been assumed that older gays face the problems of aging without the usual institutional supports. The literature often portrays the older gay person as pathetic, lonely and isolated, without the comfort of family, church and community. However, the limited research in this area shows a much different picture for some elderly gays and lesbians. For a number of reasons, aging gay men and lesbians may be better able to cope with society aspects of the aging process. For example, gays have probably already dealt with rejection and oppression in connection with their sexuality. They have had to fend for themselves for a long time; therefore, they know how to be self-reliant in their later years because they have developed skills that older heterosexuals may only be beginning to develop. This is thought to be especially true for lesbians as compared to heterosexual women. Lesbians have most likely had to develop a whole range of skills needed for daily living. Many heterosexual women have held traditional roles, and because of this they have learned only half o the skills necessary for daily living. If married, they tended to the traditional female tasks, such as shopping, cleaning, taking the kids to appointment while their husbands took care of the finances, car repairs, bringing in the wood for fireplace. So, when a heterosexual person loses a mate, s/he is swamped with a whole range of problems to do with daily living, plus bereavement. Therefore, we can see that, in comparison, gays have special strengths as well as special needs.
* to be continued *
One reason there is little known about gay/lesbian people who are aging is their invisibility. What causes this invisibility? Ponder this thought: what if you risked losing your job and livelihood if your sexual orientation became known; what if negative stereotypes were applied to you; would you want to be known as a pervert? Not only are such statements cruel, but hey also serve to oppress they gay population! This oppression has been going on for years; therefore, the older gay population has witnessed many acts of discrimination. They are used to hiding themselves for their own self-protection. This must be kept in mind when trying to give services to this population.
Another point worth mentioning is that this invisibility of the gay population leads many to underestimate its actual number. It may also reinforce stereotypes. Clinicians tend to generalize their attitudes from that part of the gay population which comes to them for help.
Let us look at the older gay population. It has been assumed that older gays face the problems of aging without the usual institutional supports. The literature often portrays the older gay person as pathetic, lonely and isolated, without the comfort of family, church and community. However, the limited research in this area shows a much different picture for some elderly gays and lesbians. For a number of reasons, aging gay men and lesbians may be better able to cope with society aspects of the aging process. For example, gays have probably already dealt with rejection and oppression in connection with their sexuality. They have had to fend for themselves for a long time; therefore, they know how to be self-reliant in their later years because they have developed skills that older heterosexuals may only be beginning to develop. This is thought to be especially true for lesbians as compared to heterosexual women. Lesbians have most likely had to develop a whole range of skills needed for daily living. Many heterosexual women have held traditional roles, and because of this they have learned only half o the skills necessary for daily living. If married, they tended to the traditional female tasks, such as shopping, cleaning, taking the kids to appointment while their husbands took care of the finances, car repairs, bringing in the wood for fireplace. So, when a heterosexual person loses a mate, s/he is swamped with a whole range of problems to do with daily living, plus bereavement. Therefore, we can see that, in comparison, gays have special strengths as well as special needs.
* to be continued *
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