Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Grandparents

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families and health

“…Research on LGBT children and health primarily focuses on parent–child relationships, but, according to a family systems approach (Kreppner & Lerner, ), there are other family ties that should be considered, including grandparent–grandchild ties and siblings. For LGBT grandparents, being able to disclose sexual and/or gender identity to grandchildren, as well as feel supported by grandchildren, is an important aspect of overall well‐being (Orel & Fruhauf, ). A study of 79 gay grandfathers, for example, found that grandfathers who felt supported in their sexual identity by their adult children and their grandchildren reported better mental health (Tornello & Patterson, ).…”

Access and equity in the design and delivery of health and social care to LGBTQ older adults: A Canadian perspective.

“…However, as Tasker (2013) noted in her assessment of the literature on lesbian and gay parenting after heterosexual divorce, additional research focused on intersectionality and the life course is needed to understand the complexities of "parental sexual orientation with cultural variation and the plurality of identity positions that LGBT parents may occupy over time" (p. 16). With regard to grandparenting, Orel and Fruhauf (2013) provided a historical and life course overview of lesbian motherhood/ grandmotherhood and gay fatherhood/grandfatherhood, noting the sociopolitical and social cultural contexts of coming out and caring. Although research on these relationships has begun to emerge, Orel and Fruhauf advocated for a closer examination of the complexities and nuances of gendered familial relationships, roles, and expectations within LGBT grandparenting.…”

Gender Transitions in Later Life: The Significance of Time in Queer Aging

“…Floyd and Bakeman (2006) offer a relevant life course perspective based on their empirical work with gay, lesbian and bisexual elders who come out later in life and argue that the process of sexual orientation identity development is driven both by maturational factors as well as social changes. In studies of LGB grandparents, the ability to disclose sexual orientation to family members has been shown to be an important part of their identity development in later life (Orel & Fruhauf, 2013), along with acknowledgement of the years spent participating in heteronormative culture, as one of Orel’s (2004) interviewees so succinctly summarizes: “I just did what you were supposed to do...get married, have kids, and own the house with the white picket fence.” (p. 69). This clear connection to heteronormative life cycles is common in narratives about coming out about one's sexuality, and I argue in this article that it is also important for transgender people contemplating a transition in later life because heteronormativity also has a constraining effect on gender expression (Butler, 2007).…”