![]() Bisexuals were at times referred to as “fence-sitters,” a derogatory term suggesting unresolved sexual identity. “Gay” often was used as a global term representing sexual minorities-men and women alike. A few decades ago, when I started conducting this research, men often were referred to as “homosexuals,” a term now considered offensive by many. The dynamic nature of language reflects the shifting societal, cultural, and social meanings of sexuality and gender in American society. These estimates more than double when considering same-sex behavior and romantic relationships ( Fredriksen-Goldsen and Kim, in press). By 2060, the number of older adults who self-identify as LGBT will exceed 5 million. An estimated 2.7 million adults ages 50 and older self-identify as LGBT in the United States, including 1.1 million who are ages 65 and older. ![]() ![]() Yet today, LGBT older adults remain largely invisible in aging services, policies, and research, despite the population’s rapid growth. Resisting prevailing stereotypes, they postulated that the positive management of a sexual minority identity was effective in supporting gay men and lesbians for successful aging ( Adelman, 1990 Berger, 1980 Berger and Kelly, 1986 Butler and Hope, 1999 Gray and Dressel, 1985 Kehoe, 1986 Quam and Whitford, 1992 Sharp, 1997). The work of several courageous pioneers began to openly question common misconceptions of “old gays” as depressed, lonely, and sexually undesirable. Only a few decades ago, the aging of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people was relegated to the shadows.
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