Those of a Queer Age: Insights into Aging in the Gay and Lesbian Community

Aging is not a homogeneous experience, but rather a process guided by the life experiences and life course decisions made by the individual. Each person is uniquely affected by generational and cultural cohort experiences that shape not only the contexts of her or his life, but the manner in which the individual experiences the aging process. Gay and lesbian individuals experience an aging process that is uniquely different from that of heterosexual individuals. Additionally, gays and lesbians from different generational cohorts will have disparate aging experiences. This article examines aging among different gay and lesbian generational cohorts.