Understanding the needs of older LGBTQISB+ people

Older people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, sistergirl or brotherboy (LGBTQISB+) can face unique challenges later in life.

A team of University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) researchers have received Australian Association of Gerontology research funding to learn more about the needs of LGBTQISB+ people as they age.

Project lead Dr Daniel Brown said the project could influence public policy reform, stimulate service delivery improvements and inspire the development of targeted psycho-social interventions.

“Australia is increasingly grappling with an ageing population. The increase in an older population means that more research needs to be conducted to understand the unique needs of sub-populations, including their concerns for ageing and access to aged care services, many of which are still run by religiously affiliated organisations,” Dr Brown said.

The project expands on previous research by the Queensland Ageing and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Sistergirl and Brotherboy Issues Working Group.

Dr Brown, a clinical psychologist and academic who has worked for more than a decade with vulnerable populations, including LGBTQISB+ people, said they were particularly interested in hearing from LGBTQISB+ Queenslanders with multiple marginalised identities.

“LGBTQISB+ people with intersecting identities, such as First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, living with HIV, living with a disability, or living in a rural, regional or remote area have a documented history of facing prejudice and discrimination,” he said.

“Listening to their unique stories will help us understand their beliefs, concerns, challenges and psycho-social resources.

“Their voices must be central to policy development and service improvements. This, in turn, will lead to better health outcomes, increased quality of life, and a greater sense of belonging for older LGBTQISB+ people.”

Dr Brown’s project team includes UniSQ researchers Associate Professor Annette Brömdal, Professor Amy Mullens, Dr Kirstie Daken and Emerson Zerafa-Payne.

They will partner with industry collaborators, including Dr Joseph Debattista (Sexual Health & BBV Coordinator, Metro North Public Health), Chris Howard, Ged Farmer and Ann Matson (Aged Care and Support Coordinators, Queensland Council for LGBTI Health), Dr Lisa Wojciechowski (Life+ Manager, Queensland Positive People) and Jennifer Sargent (Co-Chair, LGBTI Community Ageing Network - Sunshine Coast).

The project was supported by the AAG Research Trust.

Read more about the work happening at UniSQ’s Centre for Health Research.