Visible Lives

191 Pages·2011·0.98 MB·English

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m a i n r e p o r t
Visible Lives
IdentIfyIng the experIences and needs
of older lesbIan, gay, bIsexual and
transgender people In Ireland
Visible Lives
Identifying the experiences and needs
of older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) people in Ireland
Age is opportunity no less,
Than youth itself, though in another dress,
And as the evening twilight fades away,
The sky is flled with stars, invisible by day.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1875), Morituri Salutamus
Copyright © Agnes Higgins, Danika Sharek, Edward McCann, Fintan Sheerin, Michele Glacken, Marianne
Breen, Mary McCarron; 2011.
Published by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) Dublin.
ISBN: 978-0-9561023-6-2
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, including photocopying and recording, without written permission of the authors.
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FOREWORD
by Kathleen Lynch T.D. , Minister for Disability,
Equality, Mental Health and Older People
Huge progress has been made in recognising and supporting
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Ireland.
In the space of twenty years we have seen the decriminalisation
of homosexuality and the introduction of a sophisticated
equality infrastructure, with the Employment Equality Act 1998
and the Equal Status Act 2000 having been at the forefront
internationally in naming sexual orientation as a specifc
equality ground and in extending its scope outside the feld
of employment. More recently, in 2010 comprehensive Civil
Partnership legislation was introduced and the Government is determined to bring forward legislation
later this year to provide for the recognition of the acquired gender of transgender people, on the basis
of the recommendations of the Gender Recognition Advisory Group published in June.
This report is the frst comprehensive study of the lives of older LGBT people in Ireland. It ofers unique
insights into the lives of those people who have lived through and been most personally afected by
these changes in Irish society. It shows the negative consequences for LGBT people of living through a
period where a fundamental aspect of their identity - to be themselves and to live openly and securely
with the person they love - was stigmatised, criminalised or even viewed as an illness.
But the stories revealed in the study are also hopeful and inspiring, especially as they demonstrate
the resilience of many LGBT people in overcoming adversity and in meeting the challenges they faced.
It is also really interesting that the participants in this study take pleasure and strength from the
progress that has been made and from seeing a younger generation of LGBT people able to live their
lives more openly.
In common with other older people, the participants in this study want to be as independent as long
as possible as they age and are fearful as to how they will be treated or what options will be available to
them when they are no longer able to look after themselves.
An extra dimension of concern for LGBT people however, is the fear that services for older people, such
as nursing homes or retirement communities will not recognise or respect their LGBT identity or their key
relationships, especially with their partners. It is also notable that a large number of older LGBT people in
this study still fear that disclosure of their identity will lead to the loss of friendships or even harassment.
The specifc concerns that have been raised in the report suggest that further work is necessary
to ensure that health and other services are open and responsive to the particular needs of older
LGBT people.
As Minister with responsibility for older people, I am tasked with bringing coherence to Government
planning, policy and service delivery for older people, in the context of a Government commitment to
complete a National Positive Ageing Strategy that will set the strategic direction for future policies,
programmes and services for older people.
The fndings and recommendations of this report will inform progress of the broader agenda of
enhancing the status and visibility of older people in Irish society and promoting the positive ageing
of older people in Ireland - including older LGBT people. The cross-sectoral approach used in the study
provides an important model for future work in this area, to ensure the diverse range of issues and needs
identifed in the report can be addressed.
I would like to congratulate GLEN, their partners in Age and Opportunity and the Health Service
Executive, and the research team from Trinity College Dublin on the production of this signifcant study,
the outcome of a very positive partnership.
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FOREWORD
by Catherine Rose, CEO, Age
& Opportunity
I welcome the publication of Visible Lives, this ground-breaking
research, which makes dramatic and compelling reading. Older
LGBT people often experience a double invisibility, constituting
an invisible minority within the minority constituted by older
people, already marginalised by the western emphasis on youth,
physical beauty and economic productivity. A consciousness of
this provided the motivation for Age & Opportunity, through its
Get Vocal programme, to support this research. We are pleased
with how the research has gone on to richly illuminate many
aspects of the experience of older LGBT people.
With little international research on the subject of older LGBT people, and none in an Irish context,
this study provides a valuable insight into the lives of people aged 55 and over who grew up in a
context where their LGBT identity was characterised as unacceptable, abnormal and sinful, and where
concealment was often considered necessary to avoid bringing shame on families. The exclusion
experienced often ‘in turn led to employment discrimination and disempowerment and, for many,
marginalisation from family and community.’
Unsurprising then that sadness and grief is palpable in the stories that emerge as the participants
refect on their lives. They talk of being shunned by family and friends and describe loss and grief arising
from the circumstances of their lives or the deaths of loved ones.
Nonetheless, the narratives are imbued with individual stories of courage, resilience, ability to move
beyond adversity, to integrate negative experiences and live a fulflled life. It is also obvious that many
of the respondents experience a sense of pride in being the frst generation of out LGBT people, and
rejoice in being true to their authentic selves.
There are, however, fears expressed about what older age will bring - fears that they will be
unwelcome within mainstream ageing programmes, and excluded from LGBT organisations due to a
youth-orientated culture. Other fears focus on the potential loss of independence that accompanies
deteriorating health and the possibility of living in long-term care settings that would not respect LGBT
identity. The sentiment, ‘I would go out of my mind if I wasn’t independent. I would hate to be a burden
on anyone,’ expressed by one respondent is no diferent to what many older people feel in the non-LGBT
community. Despite, for the most part, having very diferent experiences in youth and early adulthood
we all have a lot in common with advancing age.
The Report makes many important recommendations for policy changes. We at Age & Opportunity
would wish that the Report also provide an impetus for older people with LGBT identity, particularly
experienced campaigners, to become vocal about ageism and age discrimination, and, indeed, that age
organisations and community services aimed at older people actively ensure that they are inclusive of
LGBT people. The campaign for equality for older people will beneft from including the full range of life
experience and expertise, and together we can work towards improved policies and services.
As well as colleagues at Age & Opportunity, in which I include the members of the Get Vocal Steering
group, I would like to acknowledge the work of GLEN and the authors of this report. I also wish to take
this opportunity to acknowledge the Atlantic Philanthropies, funders of our Get Vocal programme,
without whose support this research would not have been possible.
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FOREWORD
by Kieran Rose, GLEN Chair
The Visible Lives study is the frst study of its kind in Ireland.
It documents the experiences and needs of older lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and draws on these
experiences to identify efective strategies to support positive
ageing among older LGBT people.
This hugely important report gives a detailed description of
the lives of the participants, who grew up at a time when they
faced considerable prejudice and stigma. For too many, this
led to marginalisation from family and community as well as
discrimination and exclusion in key areas of their lives.
The report also documents the resilience of the participants in dealing with the difculties they
experienced. They expressed a strong sense of pride about being the frst generation of ‘out and older’
LGBT people and in seeing a younger generation of LGBT people living their lives in a more open and
supportive environment.
As they enter the later years of their lives, older LGBT people can be faced with a double invisibility
both as older people and as LGBT people. While some of the issues facing older LGBT people may be
similar to those for all older people, there is a growing awareness of the need to identify the specifc
issues older LGBT people face. Participants were particularly concerned that older age services may
not recognise or respect their LGBT identity, may not respect their partners in decision-making or may
discriminate against them as LGBT people.
The participants’ stories are a powerful reminder of the importance of the legislative and social
progress of the last twenty years, and the profound impact this has had on their lives and on LGBT people
more generally. In particular, the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act in 2010 has radically increased
the rights and responsibilities, and the social status, of lesbian and gay couples, especially in areas crucial
for older couples such as pensions, health care, social welfare and taxation. This progress is a strong
platform from which the recommendations made in this report can be implemented.
GLEN would like to thank each of the participants for taking the time to share their stories, which at
times are deeply moving and inspiring. Their stories will provide a very valuable insight for policy-makers
and service providers into how positive ageing can best be supported among the LGBT population for
years to come.
GLEN was able to commission this study with the generous support of Age and Opportunity under
their innovative Get Vocal programme. This programme aims to spark initiatives that will help society
to understand and respond to older people’s needs and hopes. We welcome Age and Opportunity’s
leadership and commitment to championing greater participation of older people in Irish society
including older LGBT people and look forward to continuing our partnership with Age and Opportunity
and other older age organisations.
GLEN is also grateful for the support of the Health Service Executive and all of the agencies and
individuals who participated in the Research Advisory Group whose support and expertise has been of
great assistance. Finally GLEN would like to thank Prof. Agnes Higgins, Danika Sharek, Edward McCann,
Fintan Sheerin, Michele Glacken, Marianne Breen and Mary McCarron who have produced an exceptional
research report and did so with great professionalism and sensitivity.
I would also like to pay particular tribute to Odhran Allen, GLEN’s Director of Mental Health who has
played a pivotal role in the design and delivery of this excellent report.
GLEN looks forward to the time when all LGBT people are fully supported to grow, thrive and age at
the heart of Irish society.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Agnes Higgins, PhD, is an associate professor in the Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Danika Sharek, MSc, is a research assistant in the Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Edward McCann, PhD, is a lecturer in the Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Fintan Sheerin, PhD, is a lecturer in the Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Michele Glacken, PhD, is a lecturer in the Nursing and Health Studies Department of St. Angela’s College,
Sligo, a college of the National University of Ireland, Galway.
Marianne Breen, PhD, is a research fellow in the Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Mary McCarron, PhD, is an associate professor in the Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing &
Midwifery.
P AGE 7 ACKNOWLEDMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
By Agnes Higgins, Professor Mental Health,
School of Nursing and Midwifery,
Trinity College Dublin
We thank all those who have assisted the project team in
carrying out this research. In particular, the participants who
gave their time to complete the survey, shared their stories and
experiences in the in-depth interviews, and gave us a wealth of
information for future direction.
We are also indebted to all the organisations and individuals
who assisted us in advertising and recruitment for the study.
We are grateful to GLEN, Age & Opportunity and the HSE for funding this study and for providing
support.
We would like to acknowledge all the support and assistance we received from the Research Advisory
Group. The Group’s membership was as follows:

Odhrán Allen Director of Mental Health Policy, GLEN (Chairperson)
Davin Roche Director of Community Development Policy, GLEN
Christopher Robson Board of Directors, GLEN
Caoimhe Gleeson N ational Specialist in Accessibility and Chair of LGBT Health Advisory
Committee, HSE
Anne Harris Older People’s Project Manager, Quality & Patient Safety Directorate, HSE
Louise Mullen Research Psychologist in Population Health, HSE
Mick Quinlan Manager of Gay Men’s Health Service, HSE
Ciarán McKinney Director of Operations, Age & Opportunity
Emer Begley Social Inclusion and Policy Ofcer, Age Action Ireland
Ariana Ball National Development Ofcer, Third Age Foundation
Maureen Gilbert Equality and Disability Specialist
Eddie Parsons GOLD – Group for Older LGBT People
Fiona Armstrong Outhouse LGBT Community Centre
Adrian Brend Committee Member, Outwest Ireland
Vanessa Buswell Coordinator, Rainbow Support Services Midwest
Cat McIlroy Transgender Equality Network Ireland
Broden Giambrone Transgender Equality Network Ireland
Fidelma O’Hanlon Outhouse LGBT Community Centre
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES 13
LIST OF TERMS 15
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 17
CHAPTER 1: Older lgbt lives in context 25
Introduction 26
Older LGBT people: a ‘Double invisibility’ 26
LGBT issues: a changing landscape 27
LGBT ageing: resilience & coping 28
Friends and family as a source of support 28
Community involvement and participation 29
LGBT ageing: fears and concerns 30
LGBT mental health issues 32
Violence and discrimination 32
Informal carers 33
Preparation for ageing 33
Sumary 3
CHAPTER 2: Research methodology 35
Aims and objectives 36
Research design 36
Inclusion criteria and sampling 36
Research advisory group 36
Anonymous survey 36
Designing the survey instrument 37
Piloting the survey 38
Advertising and recruitment for survey 38
Data colection for survey 38
Qualitative in-depth interviews 39
Designing the interview guide 39
Recruitment for interviews 39
Interview proces 39
Data analysis 40
Survey data 40
Interview data 40
Ethics, consent, and protection of participants 40
Conclusion 41
CHAPTER 3: Participant profles 43
Survey sample 4
Age profle 4
Place of birth 4
Ethnic and cultural background 4
Highest level of education 4
Gender identity 46