General Article Lesbian, gay and bisexual people in later life

Topic Selected: Ageing
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Stonewall asked YouGov to survey a sample of 1,050 heterosexual and 1,036 lesbian, gay and bisexual people over the age of 55 across Britain. The survey asked about their experiences and expectations of getting older and examined their personal support structures, family connections and living arrangements. It also asked about how they feel about getting older, the help they expect to need, and what they would like to be available from health and social care services.

Getting older can be much more complex for lesbian, gay and bisexual people than heterosexual people, as they are more likely to face the prospect either alone or without as much personal support as their heterosexual counterparts.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual people over 55 are:

  • More likely to be single. Gay and bisexual men are almost three times more likely to be single than heterosexual men, 40 per cent compared to 15 per cent.
  • More likely to live alone. 41 per cent of lesbian, gay and bisexual people live alone...

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