Sexuality in Old Age and the Gay Elderly

Sexuality in Old Age and the Gay Elderly
By: Francisco "El Jimagua" Cartagena Méndez
Writer and Human Rights Activist
President ASI Foundation
Twitter: @eljimagua

Our elders fall in love and feel sexual desires. Sexuality has been present throughout the history of the human being. It is known that we are sexual beings, however there are myths and beliefs that have taken root in our societies. This has created various stigmas about the sexual act and its protagonists, whether they are heterosexual couples or belonging to the LGBTT community.

Sexuality in the population over 60 years of age, is a subject little discussed and researched, so there are prejudices and myths that the elderly have no desire or sexual ability. This is totally wrong, since sexuality in old age exists and its practice will depend on various factors and the capacity of each person individually. [pullquote] Sexuality in the population over 60 years of age, is a subject that is little discussed and researched, which is why there are prejudices and myths that elderly people do not possess sexual desire or capacity.

Orihuela, Gómez & Fumero (2009) indicate that the cessation of sexual activity is not a chronological event, but depends on factors such as the state of health and the degree of physical and mental disability and the frequency and quality of sexual relations previous The affective situation and quality of the relationship with the couple and with other people and the health crisis are also determining factors.

In this regard, Pérez explains (2008) that people can not be fragmented in certain periods of existence, they are born and reach the end of their lives as sexual beings. Human sexuality is a sociocultural phenomenon that is influenced by the quality of interpersonal relationships, the context in which we live and by the integration we have made of the lived experiences.

Therefore, sexual pleasure is a desirable and valid experience for older adults because it generates great well-being and is part of a natural process of the human being. In the third age there is all kinds of affection and sexual expression, despite the belief that elderly people are not able to enjoy sex.Discrimination against gay seniors is another factor that can interfere with a natural sexuality in the elderly. Many gays of the third age are pushed to the solitude, or separated of their pairs by reasons of legal nature or by widowhood.

It should be added that many gay elders are pushed back into the closet and discriminated against by other younger gays, which is why sexuality becomes a bit more conflictive, due to the current discrimination in our societies. 

Elderly discrimination / Gays is another factor that can interfere with a natural sexuality in the elderly. Many gays of the third age are pushed into solitude, or separated from their partners for reasons of legal nature or for widowhood. 

Aging should not be synonymous with weakness, discrimination or prejudice. Our seniors are people who have regularly devoted a lifetime to the workforce and family, so it is important to respect them, keep them company and not discriminate against them.

The issue of sexuality in the human being is complex and becomes a problem when it is not addressed from the mental opening, away from prejudice and having a genuine interest in acquiring the necessary knowledge, allowing us to have a full sexuality, pleasant and remote of shameOlder people, far from constituting a homogenous collective in what refers to sexuality, are still sexual beings, with desires and needs related to their own sexuality, which they should enjoy without any difficulty.  

For comments eljimagua@live.com | Twitter: @eljimagua* Writer and human rights activist of Puerto Rico.