Expectatios, needs and demands related to aging of LGBT people

LGBT older adults were ignored both in gerontological studies and in the LGBT area. Studies which were related to LGBT individuals in Turkey generally done with young people. Old age periods are not emphasized. The aim of the study is to determine the needs, expectations and demands of LGBT individuals aged 40 years and older. Critical gerontology and life course perspective were used in the study. In order to understand the experiences of the participants, qualitative research method was used in the study. The study was carried out by interviewing 28 people in 6 different cities which were Antalya (7 people), İzmir (4 people), İstanbul (5 people), Ankara (4 people), Mersin (4 people) and Gaziantep (4 people). The interviews with the participants were conducted with semi-structured interview technique. Paticipants have declared their sexual identity as 11 of the participants were trans women, 8 were gay, 6 were lesbian and 3 were trans men. The minimum age of the participants is 40 and the maximum age is 65. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis technique. MaxQDA analysis program was used to analyze the data. As a result of the research, 10 main themes were identified: social networks, perceptions of old age, vital problems, concerns, experiences, expectations, needs, demands, old-age dreams and life-end plans. Key Words: LGBT, old age, qualitative research, thematic analysis, MaxQDA