AARP LGBTQ+ Dignity Series

NEW RELEASE: The Duality of the 50+ African American Experience: LGBTQ+ Spotlight

This LGBTQ+ Spotlight report explores how older Black LGBTQ+ adults simultaneously hold resilience and vulnerability, contributing deeply to family and community life while navigating persistent structural inequities. The spotlight report highlights economic, social, and emotional well-being, challenging one-dimensional narratives of aging by showing how progress and strain coexist. This spotlight underscores how intersectional identities can amplify both optimism and risk, revealing distinct experiences of discrimination, connection, and well-being.

About the AARP LGBTQ+ Dignity Series

Research consistently finds that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older adults have different life experiences than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. LGBTQ+ communities are diverse in race, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status, ability, and in other respects. While the research exploring LGBTQ+ adults has expanded throughout the years, there is still much to understand, including how inequality and compounded discrimination impact their quality of life across the lifespan. As such, beginning in 2017, AARP has conducted research on older LGBTQ+ to enhance our own understanding of the unique experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ adults age 45-plus.

Dignity 2024

Explores LGBTQ+ identity, relationships, caregiving, mental health, brain health, sexual health, health care experiences and challenges.

Face of a senior gay man smiling during LGBTQ+ Pride. He has a rainbow painted on his right cheek.

Dignity 2024 Deeper Dive: Qualitative

LGBTQ+ adults feel a level of vulnerability when receiving health care, when they just want to receive good care, be seen, heard and respected.

Dignity 2022

Explores LGBTQ+ identity, relationships, caregiving, community, health care, and financial security, and concerns around supportive aging and discrimination based on LGBTQ identity, age, and disability.

Dignity 2021: Pride — and Prejudice

Explores challenges around Black LGBTQ+ identity, relationships, caregiving, discrimination, community supports, and inter community dynamics.

Dignity 2020

Explores challenges around employment and workplace issues, and financial security. The study also continued to explore relationships, caregiving, and financial security.