Health and well-being of lesbians, gay men and bisexual people in later life: examining the commonalities and differences from quantitative research

Findings from quantitative research speak to majority experiences and general patterns within populations. However, the aggregation of people into one LGBT category risks quantitative research – and the translation of its results into policy or practice – misrepresenting the issues and needs across the diversity of LGBT people. This chapter argues that what is needed is careful unpacking of quantitative findings to ensure that this diversity is respected. To facilitate this, the chapter examines some of the commonalities and differences in quantitative findings on lesbian, gay and bisexual older people’s health and wellbeing. By parsing the findings from international studies, the chapter identifies trends in relation to physical wellbeing, disability, alcohol consumption, smoking, and mental health. Despite their limitations, it is argued that these quantitative studies provide insights into the structural intersectionality, alongside political and representational intersectionality, that operates to marginalise lesbian, gay and bisexual people in later life..