71.1k views
2 votes
True or False: Older LGBT adults are very open about their sexual orientation

User Tharabas
by
7.1k points

1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

Older LGBT adults are largely not very open about their sexual orientation due to fears of discrimination and lack of supportive networks, with research suggesting many do not feel safe being open in long-term care settings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that older LGBT adults are very open about their sexual orientation is largely false. Research, including a study from the National Senior Citizens Law Center, suggests that a significant majority of LGBTQ older adults do not feel comfortable being open about their orientation in long-term care facilities, with only 22 percent believing they could be open about their orientation. Additionally, LGBTQ older adults face challenges such as higher rates of disability and depression, and are less likely to have a supportive network compared to their heterosexual peers. This reluctance to disclose one's sexual orientation is referred to as "selective disclosure" and is often a means of navigating safety and acceptance in different social settings.

User Noya
by
8.9k points