Gay, Old, and Poor

Abstract

Using the stories of two men interviewed for The Aging Men's Health Project, this article highlights how mainstream aged care and gay community support services need to be aware that nonpartnered older gay men are a vulnerable group in need of care and support. Barriers to accessing services for this group such as pervading heterosexism negate older gay men's life histories with the result that they either conceal their identity or avoid using services. For older gay men in this context, the situation can be dire, as they become invisible within this system of service delivery, which does not recognize nonheterosexuals at both the policy level and often in practice. It is for this reason that services whose clients include single older men need to be educated about, and sensitive to, the fact that single older gay men access and rely on their services.