Same-Sex Sexual Relationships in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project: Making a Case for Data Collection

Abstract

This study describes the previously unexplored subsample of respondents who reported at least 1 same-sex sexual relationship (SSSR) in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). The NSHAP collected data from 3,005 adults (aged 57–85). Approximately 4% (n = 102) of respondents reported at least one SSSR. These sexual minority elders were younger, more educated, were more likely to be working, had fewer social supports, and better physical health. Results may indicate crisis competence in sexual minority elders. Collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data in larger, US-based probability samples would inform the development of appropriate community-based services and supports.

KEYWORDS:

• LGBT
• aging
• disparities
• outcomes

Notes

1. ¹ Throughout this article, the terms sexual minority and gender minority are purposefully used to differentiate between the power positions of those in the dominant position and those on the margins. The term sexual minority refers to a broader umbrella of people than just those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, reflecting a nuanced understanding of sexual orientation as more than just behavior or identity (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2011). Similarly, the term gender minority recognizes the broad spectrum of people who are not adequately served by the binary categories of male or female; here, too, the conceptualization of gender is greater than identity alone and encompasses desire, behavior, and trajectory.

2. ² Gerontology research on sexual or gender minority older adults is often referred to as LGBT aging research because most studies tend to focus on sexual minorities or specific types of sexual minorities (lesbians or gays, men who have sex with men, bisexuals) or on specific gender minorities (like individuals who identify as transgender).

3. ³ The two sexual history questions are: “In your entire life so far, how many men have you had sex with, even if only one time?” and “In your entire life so far, how many women have you had sex with, even if only one time?” (Waite et al., 2007).

4. ⁴ These are proportions of the weighted sample. Approximately 11% of the weighted sample (n = 266) responded with a 0 to both questions.

5. ⁵ We did not want to reinscribe the erasure of the trans population by defining gender as a dichotomous variable; however, the NSHAP survey forces trans respondents to choose either male or female as their gender identity, thereby erasing their trans identity.