Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging: Research and Clinical Perspectives [Hardcover]

Douglas Kimmel (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2006

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging brings together cutting-edge research, practical information, and innovative thinking regarding the characteristics and processes of aging among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Written by experts in the field, the book covers a range of subjects and provides a comprehensive knowledge base for practitioners, students, and researchers.

Contributors address topics such as sexuality, relationships, legal issues, retirement planning, physical and mental health, substance abuse, community needs, gay and lesbian grandparents, and a model agency dedicated to delivering services to the senior LGBT population. Their writing takes a gay-affirmative approach that focuses on resilience, coping, and successful adaptation to aging and is sensitive to the importance of historical oppression in the lives of older members of sexual minorities. The authors also pay close attention to ethnic and cultural issues and identify where further research is needed.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging is a groundbreaking collection of some of the most significant voices in this area of research today. Gerontologists and those who serve the LGBT community are in great need of the information contained in this singular and definitive resource.

(Vol. 25, No. 4)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This important book must be commended... It should be required reading.

(Joseph A. Micucci PsycCRITIQUES )

This book should be read.

(John W. DenBoer Sexuality & Disability )

This book ought to be in all college libraries... [and] on the bookshelves of medical clinics and social service organizations that work with older adults.

(Edward H. Thompson, Jr. The Gerontologist )

Review

This volume fills a unique gap. Gerontologists seldom focus on special concerns of gay and lesbian older adults, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender aging organizations rarely address issues of aging, and the mental health field has demonstrated an ability to marginalize both aging and homosexuality. This book lays out the state of knowledge with respect to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender aging -- physical health, sexuality, family ties, victimization, and legal and financial concerns. The references at the end of individual chapters and the bibliographical material at the end of the book provide an invaluable resource. For any gerontologist intrigued by the interplay of historical changes and individual aging, it is difficult to imagine a more powerful example than Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging. Evolution of attitudes toward homosexuality, the emergence of HIV/AIDS, and legal protections beginning to be afforded to same-sex relationships are all part of the changing world that has shaped and been shaped by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who are now old.

(Margaret Gatz, professor, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California 10/26/2006)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press; 1 edition (May 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231136188
• ISBN-13: 978-0231136181
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #982,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)