Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults (aged 65+) represent a unique cohort within the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community given historical examples of discrimination that have contextualized their lives. In addition to historical minority stressors, SGM older adults experience age-related discrimination (i.e., ageism) both within and outside the queer community, and many report fear that discrimination will increase with age. The intersection of minority stress and ageism contributes to a cumulative burden of stress, conferring risk for diminished health and wellbeing, evidenced by greater psychological distress compared to non-SGM peers. Research on meaningful aging (defined as the process of finding value and purpose with age) has largely focused on heteronormative samples, excluding queer perspectives. As a result, little is known about what meaningful aging entails for SGM older adults in Canada and how it can be achieved. This study seeks to better understand the lived experiences of SGM older adults, specifically, how they define meaningful aging (including factors that support and hinder this process) and how experiences of ageism, homophobia, and transphobia impact health and wellbeing in later life. It serves as Part 1 (a community needs assessment) of a larger research program that will co-create, with community, an intervention to support SGM older adults' mental health and wellbeing. Guided by participatory action research, 20 SGM older adults are participating in semi-structured qualitative interviews exploring identity, meaningful aging, and resilience. Data collection and analysis are ongoing and will be completed by June 2026. Interviews are being audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings will inform Phase 2 (co-creation phase) of the broader program and guide development of a community-based intervention centring the voices of SGM older adults.