Researchers want to hear from LGBTQ+ seniors

Most of them were activists who originally fought for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus (LGBTQ+) rights, and now they have a chance to tell national researchers what they need as they enter their golden years.

Researchers from the University of Guelph, the University of Ottawa and Lakehead University will be in St. John’s April 10 to meet with a focus group of six to eight LBGTQ+ participants age 60-plus. Six have signed up and there were spaces for a couple more as of Friday.

University of Guelph researcher Kim Wilson said this will be the eighth of 10 focus groups across the country as her academic team seeks a better understanding of the experiences of older LGBTQ+ Canadians.

“This has been the most interesting and meaningful work I have done in terms of what people are sharing with us,” Wilson said of the sessions so far.

She has been involved in organizing many focus groups and said this one’s cool factor is hearing the stories of advocates and activists who now find themselves advocating for other things beyond historical LGBTQ+ rights — in that context they are a unique group for what they’ve come through.

The topic is broad and, so far, people have expressed concern for housing, end of life, health and social isolation issues.

While there are some geographic differences, there are commonalities between urban and rural participants, she said.

Wilson also noted besides hearing concerns and fears, the researchers are hearing stories of resiliency.

Participants are also — unlike many other focus groups — taking time after the sessions to network with each other and build their communities, she said.

Later in April, the researchers will analyze their findings, with an aim to presenting them in August at the International Federation of Aging Conference in Toronto.

They will present their findings through publications at conferences, and hope to obtain a larger grant for a more diverse sample.

Wilson said it’s hoped their work will have an impact on policy, but also influence education, training, and inclusive care and practice.

Anyone interested can contact Wilson at kim.wilson@ uoguelph.ca.