Discrimination, Disclosure, and Working in Old Age: A Queer Life Course Analysis of Employment Trajectories Among LGBTQ+ Older Adults in Canada

Authors

Dr. Celeste Pang, Mount Royal University
Ellie Maclennan, Columbia University

Publication

October 2025

Abstract

While there has been an increase in research examining LGBTQ+ employment experiences, questions remain about the compounding effects of discrimination on the longer-term career trajectories and economic security of these older adults, as well as the intersections of ageism, homophobia, and transphobia. Based on interviews with 48 LGBTQ+ older adults from across Canada, this paper examines employment experiences over their life course and in older age. The paper explores three main themes of (1) access to education and its differential impacts; (2) navigating identity and disclosure; and (3) working into older age, and demonstrates the compounding impacts of social and workplace discrimination on career trajectories and economic security later in life.

Citation

Pang, C., & Maclennan, E. (2025). Discrimination, Disclosure, and Working in Old Age: A Queer Life Course Analysis of Employment Trajectories Among LGBTQ+ Older Adults in Canada. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648251394117

Open Access

Yes