Visible Lives: a study of the lives of older LGBT people in Ireland

Visible Lives is a research project that aims to explore the lives, experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Ireland who are aged 55 and over.

This study is commissioned by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) and funded by Age and Opportunity and the HSE. A wide range of organisations are also working with GLEN on this study including older people’s groups and a number of LGBT organisations. 

The study is being conducted by a group of researchers in Trinity College Dublin, led by Professor Agnes Higgins.  The project advisory group and the research team are comprised of people of various sexual orientations and gender identities.

As part of this two-part project, they are first collecting data using an anonymous survey and then interviewing participants in order to learn more about the experiences and opinions of older LGBT people.  The findings from this study will be used to improve services and to make recommendations for how to best address the identified needs of the older LGBT in Ireland.

 For more information see their website www.visiblelives.ie.