Older Lesbians and Work in the Australian Health and Aged Care Sector

Abstract

While research has identified challenges lesbians face in the workplace, there is limited understanding of the particular experiences of older lesbians, especially those working in the health and aged care sector. This article draws on the stories of four women who participated in a narrative research project on lesbian and gay people's experiences of health and aged care. It highlights the need for future research to examine the complexity of identity expression and community affiliation, how people negotiate “coming out” in the workplace, the impact of discrimination, and the resources (such as friends) available to lesbians in the workplace.

KEYWORDS:

• lesbians
• older people
• aging
• work

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes is a Professor of Social Work at Southern Cross University, Australia. He is currently engaged in research on LGBT aging, which includes studies on health and wellbeing, LGBT people's use of aged care services, and their end-of-life care. Mark is currently Editor of the journal Australian Social Work.

Sujay Kentlyn

Sujay Kentlyn is the Aging and Aged Care Senior Project Officer with the National LGBTI Health Alliance. A sociologist, Sujay has taught and researched at the University of Queensland, conducting training in sexuality, sex, and gender, and provision of inclusive services for health care workers. Sujay identifies as genderqueer and prefers gender neutral pronouns, zie and hir.