Older LGBTQ+ Canadian adults' perceptions and experiences of dating and intimate partnerships

Abstract

Romantic relationships are an important source of companionship, intimacy, and social support in later life. To date, few studies have explored how older adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or members of other gender or sexual minorities (LGBTQ+) perceive and experience dating and/or romantic partnerships. Moreover, the bulk of the extant research has been conducted in the United States, and little is known about older LGBTQ+ Canadians' perceptions and experiences of intimate relationships and their related sense of social inclusion, acceptance, and visibility. To address these gaps in the literature and drawing on queer theory, we conducted 113 hours of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of 30 LGBTQ+ Canadians aged 65 to 83 years (average age of 71). The data were analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis, resulting in the identification of two overarching themes. The first theme, “There have been a lot of changes”, encompassed the participants' accounts of how aging-related physical and health changes had impacted their sex lives and romantic relationship priorities. The second theme, “Coming home to an empty house is very, very difficult” referred to the participants' sense of vulnerability and isolation as they navigated the complexities of older LGBTQ+ intimate relationships. We discuss our findings in relation to the existing research as well as theorizing about queer temporalities, heterosexism, and the diversity and fluidity of sexual experiences in later life. Highlighting the unique needs of older LGBTQ+ persons, we consider the implications of our findings for health and social service professionals.