Barrett Catherine, Whyte Carolyn, Comfort Jude, Lyons Anthony, Crameri Pauline
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University , Melbourne , Australia.
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, West Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin University , Perth , Australia.
Sex Relation Ther. 2015 Jan 2;30(1):131-142. doi: 10.1080/14681994.2014.963983. Epub 2014 Oct 31.
This paper presents data from a small study exploring the impacts of homophobia on the lives of older lesbian and gay Australians. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted with older lesbians (6) and gay men (5) ranging in age from 65 to 79 years. The study found that participants' sense of self was shaped by the dominant medical, legal and religious institutions of their youth that defined them as sick, immoral or criminal. Participants described enforced "cure" therapies, being imprisoned, having employment terminated and being disowned and disinherited by family. In this context, intimate relationships and social networks provided refuge where trust was rebuilt and sexuality affirmed. Many created safe spaces for themselves. This equilibrium was threatened with increasing age, disability and the reliance on health and social services. Participants feared a return to institutional control and a need to "straighten up" or hide their sexuality. In response, partners stepped into the role of caregiver, at times beyond their capacity and at a cost to their relationship. The study describes the importance of understanding social connections in the lives of older lesbians and gay men. It highlights the need for inclusive services to ensure that social networks are supported and that health and well-being are promoted.
本文展示了一项小型研究的数据，该研究探讨了恐同症对澳大利亚老年女同性恋者和男同性恋者生活的影响。对年龄在65至79岁之间的老年女同性恋者（6名）和男同性恋者（5名）进行了11次深度访谈。研究发现，参与者的自我认知受到其年轻时占主导地位的医学、法律和宗教机构的影响，这些机构将他们定义为病人、不道德的人或罪犯。参与者描述了强制进行的“治疗”疗法、被监禁、工作被终止以及被家人抛弃和剥夺继承权的经历。在这种背景下，亲密关系和社交网络提供了庇护所，在那里信任得以重建，性取向得到肯定。许多人给自己创造了安全空间。随着年龄增长、残疾以及对健康和社会服务的依赖，这种平衡受到了威胁。参与者担心会重新回到机构控制之下，需要“改正”或隐藏自己的性取向。作为回应，伴侣们承担起了照顾者的角色，有时超出了他们的能力范围，且对他们的关系造成了损害。该研究描述了理解老年女同性恋者和男同性恋者生活中社会联系的重要性。它强调了提供包容性服务的必要性，以确保社交网络得到支持，并促进健康和幸福。
