Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's program

Sexual and gender diversity remain some of the most overlooked determinant of health, despite clear evidence that SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity/expression) populations in Canada face disproportionate health challenges compared to heterosexual/cisgender individuals. Research shows higher rates of mood/anxiety disorders, suicidality, and self-harm among gay, bisexual, lesbian, and other sexual minority groups, reflecting persistent inequities rooted in minority stress. While much LGBTQ+ health research focuses on youth, older adults face distinct challenges shaped by cumulative life-course exposures to stigma, discrimination, and barriers to care. Having lived through periods of criminalization, the AIDS crisis, and shifting legal rights, older LGBTQ+ adults continue to experience elevated risks of chronic illness, mental health concerns, and social isolation, even as societal acceptance has grown. Recent increases in hate-motivated violence underscore ongoing discrimination. This study examines how lifetime stigma and changing social attitudes influence health, healthcare experiences, and community belonging of older LGBTQ+ adults in Oxford and Elgin Counties, compared with younger individuals raised in different rights-based contexts. Semi-structured interviews (current N=14) explore participants’ identities, health experiences, discrimination, support systems, and needs across three age groups (16–24, 25–49, 50+). Inductive thematic analysis will also identify emerging patterns relevant to rural and semi-urban regions. Findings will highlight generational trends in health, resilience, and access to care, addressing gaps in LGBTQ+ health research, informing more inclusive, age-sensitive healthcare and community supports.