Older LGBTQ+ Canadians’ Experiences of Prejudice and Discrimination over the Life Course

Amidst the growing global visibility of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and gender and sexually diverse (LGBTQ+) individuals, the predominantly American research has established that they face continued prejudice and discrimination. Yet, few studies outside of the United States have examined their life course experiences, including those related to adverse events. Building on the existing research, the present qualitative study uses a life-course perspective to explore older LGBTQ+ Canadians’ experiences of prejudice and discrimination.

We recruited and conducted multiple, in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with 30 LGBTQ+ Canadian individuals, aged 65 to 83, about their life course experiences, including if and how they had been treated differently because of their gender identities, sexual orientations, and ages. Interview transcriptions were coded and analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis.

All 30 participants reported traumatic and adverse experiences in patterned ways across the life course. Whereas they often faced abuse and harassment in childhood and young adulthood, they frequently reported institutionally situated prejudice and discrimination in mid-life. Despite changing laws and social norms, in later life participants were subjected to targeted mistreatment and systemic neglect and exclusion as a result of their gender identities, sexual orientations, and ages.

Findings from this study corroborate previous research and shed light on the ways that prejudice and discrimination have often permeated the lives of older LGBTQ+ Canadians. The research also points to the continued and urgent need to fight bigotry through education, policy, and progressive legislation.