Lived Experiences of Older LGBTQI+ Adults Aged 60 or Older: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis

Despite increasing research on LGBTQI+ people's experiences, studies specifically focusing on those aged 60 and older remain scarce. This group has faced unique challenges that younger generations may not have encountered. The aim of this study was to synthesize qualitative research on the lived experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people aged 60 years and older. We followed the ENTREQ reporting guidelines. Articles were searched in ASSIA, CINAHL, Medline, PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, and Sociological Services Abstracts, with additional gray literature searches. Out of 3207 articles, 1865 were assessed using the SPIDER (sample, phenomenon of interest, design, evaluation, research type) framework. The quality of 22 articles was evaluated using SBU guidelines. Eight articles, involving 169 LGBTQI+ participants aged 60-89 years from Australia, Canada, Sweden, and the United States were included. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three themes: (a) the ongoing work of being open or of concealing, (b) the need for recognition and belonging, and (c) resilience despite challenges. Participants shared their journeys of self-discovery, highlighting their strength in the face of discrimination, as they continued to find their authentic selves over the years. While some positive and negative experiences were common across identities, others were specific for subgroups of participants, which should inform future studies.