Identity of self-reliance of LGBT aging in Chiang Mai area

Abstract

The research entitled "Identity of Self-reliance of LGBT Elderly in Chiang Mai Area" was aimed 1) to study contexts of life, problems, and obstacles of LGBT elderly, 2) to examine the process of identity construction of LGBT elderly, and 3) to explore a guideline for adaptation and self-reliance of LGBT elderly in Chiang Mai Province. The researcher employed a structured interview form by conducting an in-depth interview to collect data from the LGBT elderly persons. The researcher determined age range of the samples who were baby boomers (1943- 1964) with age varied from 57-78 years, totaling 14 persons, selected with snowball sampling technique. The findings could be summarized as follows. 1. Contexts of life, problems, and obstacles of LGBT elderly persons in Chiang Mai Province were found that childhood experience played an important role in constructing sexual identity of LGBT elderly persons. Most of them realized that they had different sexual identity since their childhood. Meanwhile, the definition of identity remained under a narrow concept, which was different from present time. They desired to build up their family like others in the society. At present, people are more open about sexual identity than in the past, enabling them to spend their life easier, and they can full express their true sexual identity. 2. Process of identity construction of the LGBT elderly persons in Chiang Mai Province: The findings revealed that the identity development process was initiated from 2 main processes including 1) perception of causes or internal-identity realization, and 2) self-acceptance and living their normal life by their sexual orientation. 3. Guideline for adaptation and self-reliance of LGBT elderly persons in Chiang Mai Province: It was found that LGBT elderly persons adapted themselves to correspond with social contexts. The most important factor was formation of acceptance with people in their family and in the society. Meanwhile, self-reliance comprised 3 aspects including mental, economic and social attributes. As to a guideline for learning management to enbance citizenship and equality, keywords should be added leading to a guideline of instruction for the teachers. The lifelong learning management process was based on "KCS for LGBT Aging Model", which could enable LGBT elderly persons to enjoy learning from what they have inside or from environments around them, and develop themselves to be a quality and self-reliant elderly person. This process would be integrated with a conceptual framework of active aging, composed of 3 characteristics, 4 goals and 4 learning contents as follows. The 3 main characteristics included knowledge, culture and sustainability, while 4 goals were 1) L: Learning 2) G: Gap 3) B: Balance and 4) T: Transform. The 5 learning contents comprised 1) health and sanitation with elderly persons, 2) social, cultural and mental adaptation pf LGBT elderly persons, 3) financial management and savings for LGBT elderly persons, 4) skills and occupations for the aged persons and 5) laws, rights, equality, and social impartiality that LGBT elderly persons should realize.