Summary - The over-55s and sexual orientation

Original title: 55-plussers en seksuele oriëntatie

This report is about lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people aged 55 and over in the Netherlands. Compared with earlier research, we find a striking number of correspondences between LGB and heterosexual people in this age group in terms of social participation, well-being and expectations in respect of future formal and informal care. Both groups are equally healthy, have equally good social contacts, which they see just as frequently, and are equally satisfied with their lives. They also expect to be able to rely on informal carers to the same degree in the future. On the other hand, a proportion of LGB over-55s are concerned that if they should become dependent on professional care in the future, caregivers and fellow residents will not always find it easy to deal with their sexual orientation. Incapacity for work is also more common among LGB over-55s, and they have more often experienced suicidal thoughts and/or attempted suicide. 12% of LGB over-55s have experienced negative reactions to their sexual orientation in the past 12 months. Those who received such reactions are more lonely, have more psychological problems and are less optimistic regarding their care in the future.

This study was commissioned by the Emancipation Department of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Jantine van Lisdonk worked until mid-2015 in the Education, Minorities and Methodology research sector at SCP. Her expertise lies in the area of LGBT research and qualitative studies. Lisette Kuyper also works in the Education, Minorities and Methodology research sector at SCP. Her expertise is focused on LGBTs, sexuality, health and young people.