“I Want to Know More About Who We Are”: New Directions for Research With Older Lesbians

Abstract

Previous literature has consistently discussed reoccurring issues with conducting research in the gay and lesbian community and, for the purposes of this article, particularly the older lesbian community. Issues with sampling, including gaining access, ethical considerations, and conceptual definitions are ongoing struggles repeated within the literature. This article provides the experience of a research team in conducting such research and presents the viable solutions and ongoing barriers, as well as newer considerations that future research must take into account. In addition, this article provides the viewpoint of 189 older lesbians on the future research needs within their community.

KEYWORDS:

• qualitative
• GLBT populations
• GLBT issues
• ethnicity
• multicultural issues

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We thank Dr. Sharon Raphael, OLOC Research Gatekeeper, for her knowledge, expertise, and commitment to research on old lesbians.