Late blooming lesbians and their perspectives on elderhood: A qualitative study

Abstract

The study adopted a narrative analysis approach to explore the lived experiences of late-blooming lesbians (aged 40 to 65) and explore their concerns and hopes about elderhood. The study sought to understand how late-blooming lesbians come about their sexual identity development, and the meaning they derived from lesbian identity was discussed in relation to their transition to aging. Semi-structured interviews with seven self-identified Hong Kong lesbians, aged 41 to 55, revealed common themes related to experiences of being lesbian through relationship building, the meaning of work, hope for relationship and social support in future lives as well as some aging-related pre-retirement concerns. The process of late-blooming lesbian’s identity was a fluid one that has been shaped by personal choices. Late-blooming lesbians also appeared to have distinctive needs and concerns for elderhood, which also indicated a potentially different aging model. Implications for further local research on lesbian aging and therapeutic practice for this population were also discussed.