A survey carried out by the Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada showed that Portuguese homosexuals over 50 do not reveal their sexual orientation to doctors.
The study "Aging and Sexual Minorities: psychosocial environment and health needs" aims to understand the needs of this part of the homosexual population.
According to the research coordinator, Juliana Azevedo, "the social network of this population [homosexuals over 50 years old] is very small. Almost everyone admits that they hardly talk to their family and it is their friends that they rely on."
Of those interviewed, the majority responded that their biggest concern in old age is ending up alone or being separated from their partners. According to the research, in terms of health, this population is more exposed to depression. However, the gay community in Portugal over 50 does not have a higher rate of alcoholism or obesity, compared to the general population in this age group.
For Juliana, prejudice persecutes elderly homosexuals even more. "Those who are about to grow old now face people their own age who do not yet understand their sexual orientation, as young people already do," she said.
