TY - JOUR
T1 - Gender and older LGBT∗ housing discourse
T2 - The marginalised voices of older lesbians, gay and bisexual women
AU - Westwood, Sue
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - Purpose - This paper is a conceptual discussion of the marginalisation of the voices of older lesbians, gay and bisexual (LGB) women, within the collective discourse of "older LGBT∗ housing". The purpose of this paper is to critically interrogate its (in)equality implications and to consider ways in which they might be overcome. Design/methodology/approach - This is a conceptual discussion that draws on the social justice model of equality developed by Nancy Fraser, specifically the domains of resources, recognition and representation. Findings - The housing needs, wishes and concerns of older LGB women are often marginalised while at the same time those of older gay men are privileged. Older LGB women's preferences for gender- and/or sexuality-specific housing are silenced within collective homogenising discourse - by researchers and activists alike - which mobilises a "mainstream" or "LGBT-specific" binary about housing options. Research limitations/implications - Research findings which do not include the voices of older lesbian, gay and bisexual women are inherently flawed. There is a need to ensure their voices - across the older age spectrum - are included. Practical implications - The voices of older LGB women in relation to older age housing need to be better heard so that they can be better resourced. Social implications - The marginalisation of older lesbian, gay and bisexual women's voices in relation to older age housing has profound equality and human rights implications. Originality/value - Critical discussions about the gendering of older LGBT∗ housing discourse are long overdue. This paper seeks to open a dialogue about these important issues.
AB - Purpose - This paper is a conceptual discussion of the marginalisation of the voices of older lesbians, gay and bisexual (LGB) women, within the collective discourse of "older LGBT∗ housing". The purpose of this paper is to critically interrogate its (in)equality implications and to consider ways in which they might be overcome. Design/methodology/approach - This is a conceptual discussion that draws on the social justice model of equality developed by Nancy Fraser, specifically the domains of resources, recognition and representation. Findings - The housing needs, wishes and concerns of older LGB women are often marginalised while at the same time those of older gay men are privileged. Older LGB women's preferences for gender- and/or sexuality-specific housing are silenced within collective homogenising discourse - by researchers and activists alike - which mobilises a "mainstream" or "LGBT-specific" binary about housing options. Research limitations/implications - Research findings which do not include the voices of older lesbian, gay and bisexual women are inherently flawed. There is a need to ensure their voices - across the older age spectrum - are included. Practical implications - The voices of older LGB women in relation to older age housing need to be better heard so that they can be better resourced. Social implications - The marginalisation of older lesbian, gay and bisexual women's voices in relation to older age housing has profound equality and human rights implications. Originality/value - Critical discussions about the gendering of older LGBT∗ housing discourse are long overdue. This paper seeks to open a dialogue about these important issues.
KW - Gay and bisexual women
KW - Gender
KW - Housing
KW - Older lesbians
KW - Older LGBT
KW - Sexuality
KW - Social justice
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029311101&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/HCS-08-2017-0020
DO - 10.1108/HCS-08-2017-0020
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85029311101
SN - 1460-8790
VL - 20
SP - 100
EP - 109
JO - Housing, Care and Support
JF - Housing, Care and Support
IS - 3
ER -