Gay and lesbian aging: Current perspectives and future directions for social work practice and research

For many years in social work, as in many other professions and disciplines, very little was known about gay men and lesbians. There was an even greater dearth of knowledge regarding gay men and lesbians as they move through the aging process. Social work has been criticized for its ignorance, intolerance, and insensitivity in this area. Following the Stonewall Riots in 1969, there was an emergence of both interest and research into homosexuality and, subsequently, homosexuality and aging. The authors critically examine the current status of social work regarding practice and research with older gays and lesbians and presents recommendations for both practice and research.