RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: LGBTQ+ AGING FOCUS GROUP PROJECT
Aging with Pride and Authenticity: Challenges and Supports for Underrepresented LGBTQIA+ Older Adults
HAND OUTS
The handouts below provide a snapshot of the findings from this study for several different LGBTQIA+ aging communities.
VIDEO SERIES
View our seven-part video series called Voices from the Community, where experiences from individual LGBTQIA+ adults are uplifted and told in their own voices.
POWER POINT
This project includes a PowerPoint slide deck that incorporates basic information about the project and the study’s findings.
PAPERS + RESOURCES
Review papers, reports, and other resources related to this project below.
MEDIA
View news, current events, and advancements stemming from this project below.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In early 2024, the California Department of Aging funded the first statewide survey to study health, wellbeing, and service needs of mid-life and older LGBTQIA+ Californians. Building off of this survey, we conducted 23 focus groups in mid- to late-2024 with 208 underrepresented LGBTQIA+ older adults who are the hardest to reach and often excluded from research, services, and policy, including low-income, minoritized, and geographically isolated individuals.
This focus group study had four main goals:
1. Elevate the voices of hard-to-reach and often underserved communities.
2. Gather in-depth knowledge about challenges, needs, and supports.
3. Illuminate creative surviving and thriving strategies that can be incorporated into social services and supports.
4. Identify recommendations for policies, funding, programs, and services for LGBTQIA+ Older Adult Communities.
23
FOCUS GROUPS
208
PARTICIPANTS
16
COUNTIES
Community Partners
We are incredibly grateful to have had 18 community partner organizations as a part of this statewide project. The project would not have been possible without the help of these organizations and their dedication to serving their communities.
To see the list of the community partners involved in this project, click below.
Our Funders
We deeply appreciate the following funders for supporting this work and making this project possible.
California Health Care Foundation (CHCF)
The SCAN Foundation
The Metta Fund
The handouts below provide a comprehensive overview of findings from this study for several LGBTQIA+ aging communities: Older Lesbians, HIV Long-Term Survivors, Rural, 75+, BIPOC, Black Same-Gender Loving, Transgender, Transgender Older Latina Immigrants, and Indigenous Elders.
Older Lesbians
HIV+ Survivors
Rural
75+
BIPOC
Black SGL
Transgender
Transgender Latina
Indigenous
To download a PDF with all of the handouts, please click the button to the right.
Voices from the Community: Video Series
Through this project, we created a seven-part video series, including a compilation video, that incorporates experiences from some of our participants - in their own voices. The full videos are linked below.
The production of these videos was supported through supplemental funding from the California Health Care Foundation.
Compilation Video
Jesús
Kevin
Veronica
Shann
Shoshana
Daphne
COMMUNITY POWERPOINT
This project includes a PowerPoint slide deck that incorporates basic information about the project and the study’s findings. It has several quotes from the nine core communities that address challenges, strengths, and recommendations related to LGBTQIA+ aging. The slides include a smaller number of “core” slides that include an overview and highlights from the study. We have also included an Appendix with 50+ slides that provide additional data, including more quotes and context.
We welcome you to download a PDF of the slides to learn more. If you would like a copy of the slides as a PowerPoint, please contact us by clicking the button below.
CORE SLIDES ONLY
CORE SLIDES + APPENDIX
Review papers, reports, and other resources related to this project below.
Click the pictures for more information regarding the topics outlined here in this section.
Equitable Aging in Health Conceptual Framework
This framework shows how different systems (e.g., employment, economics, housing) are connected and important for consideration when seeking equitable health outcomes. Organizations may find this framework helpful when developing funding proposals for programs that are seeking support for activities that important for healthy and equitable aging
programming but often unfunded (e.g., transportation, food boxes).
Rainbow Generations Chart
The need for more intergenerational programming frequently arose through this study. The Rainbow Generations Chart identifies six LGBTQIA+ generations (Invisible, Silenced, Pride, Caregiver, Equality, and Ze Generations) that capture unique experiences among LGBTQIA+ historical cohorts in the United States that correspond with more mainstream generational categories (Greatest, Silent, Baby Boomer, X, Millennial, Z).
Click the image above to read our article about intergenerational mentorship in LGBTQIA+ communities.
Media
Events
Latest Updates
Coming soon!
June 16, 2025: Presented focus group findings during a webinar for California Department of Aging.
June 7, 2025: Presented focus group findings at a statewide community coalition meeting on LGBTQIA+ aging.
May 20, 2025: Presented focus group findings at a half-day pre-conference workshop for LeadingAge California.
May 6, 2025: Presented focus group findings at a statewide training for long-term care ombudsman program in California.
Coming soon!