When inequality looms large: the cumulative impacts of discrimination on sexual minorities’ late life experiences
- 1Eckerd College
Abstract
Introduction: Research suggests that older sexual minorities face distinctive challenges in late adulthood compared to their heterosexual counterparts. However, attention to the role that lifelong discrimination plays in the aging experiences of older sexual minorities has been insufficient.
Methods: Utilizing life story interview data with older (55+) sexual minorities, I examine how lifelong exposure to structural inequality contributes to aging-related challenges and the development of unique assets in late adulthood.
Results: The results suggest that older sexual minorities face three distinct challenges in late adulthood: economic marginalization, medical distrust and subsequent rejection of medical care in long-term care facilities, and suicidal thoughts and intent. In addition, participants possessed unique assets for confronting aging-related challenges, namely community-centered care approaches.
Discussion: Taken together, the results suggest that much greater attention should be paid to cumulative inequality processes in the lives of older sexual minorities, including how this population can avoid the accumulation of disadvantage over time.
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BibTeX
@article{miller2026when,
title = {{When inequality looms large: the cumulative impacts of discrimination on sexual minorities’ late life experiences}},
author = {Lisa R. Miller},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1941078},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1941078/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - When inequality looms large: the cumulative impacts of discrimination on sexual minorities’ late life experiences
AU - Lisa R. Miller
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1941078
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1941078/full
AB - Introduction: Research suggests that older sexual minorities face distinctive challenges in late adulthood compared to their heterosexual counterparts. However, attention to the role that lifelong discrimination plays in the aging experiences of older sexual minorities has been insufficient. Methods: Utilizing life story interview data with older (55+) sexual minorities, I examine how lifelong exposure to structural inequality contributes to aging-related challenges and the development of unique assets in late adulthood. Results: The results suggest that older sexual minorities face three distinct challenges in late adulthood: economic marginalization, medical distrust and subsequent rejection of medical care in long-term care facilities, and suicidal thoughts and intent. In addition, participants possessed unique assets for confronting aging-related challenges, namely community-centered care approaches. Discussion: Taken together, the results suggest that much greater attention should be paid to cumulative inequality processes in the lives of older sexual minorities, including how this population can avoid the accumulation of disadvantage over time.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -