US study: ‘Sexual minority stress’ risk for older gays

A US study says sexual minority stress combined with age-related stress is endangering the mental health of middle-aged and older gay men.

Sexual minority stress was defined as a combination of men feeling the need to hide their sexuality or concern that others avoided them because of it.

Having a same-sex domestic partner or same-sex spouse boosted the emotional health of the studied men, but having a same-sex legal spouse appeared to be the most beneficial relationship arrangement.

Lead author Richard G. Wight of the Williams Institute at UCLA: “This study shines a light on the mental health of a generation of gay men who survived the early years of the AIDS crisis and came of age on the heels of the gay rights movement.  Read More