More than one third of older gay people feel their friends will reject them if they disclose their sexual orientation, new research show.
Invisible Lives, the first major study of the experience of older gay people in Ireland, shows the continuing challenges faced by those aged 55 and over who feel they cannot live openly in society.
However, it also highlights the resilience of many in overcoming adversity and in meeting the challenges they face.
The study - based on survey data and interviews with up to 144 people - show that the vast majority of older gay people are “out” to at least one person.
While most are comfortable with their identity, 28 per cent are not out to any neighbours and 10 per cent are not out to any of their close family.
The study found that while coming out gave individuals greater freedom, it also include varying consequences ranging from acceptance, to denial to complete rejection.
Some 26 per cent of respondents had been married and face major difficulties making the decision to come out to their spouse and children.
A much higher proportion of older gay people are living on their own - 46 per cent - compared to the general population.
A big concern is that older age services - such as nursing homes - will not recognise or respect their gay or transgender identity. Some would prefer to live in an exclusively gay-friendly retirement community. The report makes a series of recommendations to help ensure public services respond to the needs of older gay people.
Kieran Rose, chair of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen), said the participants’ stories were a powerful reminder of the importance of social progress over the past 20 years.
“This progress, especially the status arising from civil partnerships and the Government’s commitment to enact gender recognition legislation, are strong platforms from which the recommendations made in this report can be implemented,” he said.
Department of Justice secretary general Brian Purcell called on policy makers and public services to take on board the messages in the report.
