Issues concerning gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) older people have been almost completely neglected in Australian gerontology. This is reflected in textual discourse, clinical and service practices, training and education, research approaches and policy development. The research presented in this thesis investigates whether lessons might be drawn from the experience of activists in the United States of America (USA) and then applied to Australian gerontology, with regard to the recognition of GLBTI issues. As such, the research aims to provide guideposts for a process of change in Australia, by the investigation of the factors involved in collective action. / A critical research paradigm underpinned the research approach. The research was informed by social movement theory which includes structural and cultural dimensions of collective action. The approach was also informed by the researcher's history of involvement in activism. Qualitative descriptive research, involving the triangulation of methods, was conducted in Australia and the State of California, in the USA. Fieldwork took place in three phases, involving a questionnaire mailed to Australian activists, analysis of documents held in archival collections in San Francisco and Long Beach, interviews with key activists involved in the Californian process of change and interviews with older GLBTI Australian activists. Throughout the period of the inquiry, the researcher recorded a log of relevant action that occurred in Australia. / Thesis (PhDHealthSciences)--University of South Australia, 2004.

Issues concerning gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) older people have been almost completely neglected in Australian gerontology. This is reflected in textual discourse, clinical and service practices, training and education, research approaches and policy development. The research presented in this thesis investigates whether lessons might be drawn from the experience of activists in the United States of America (USA) and then applied to Australian gerontology, with regard to the recognition of GLBTI issues. As such, the research aims to provide guideposts for a process of change in Australia, by the investigation of the factors involved in collective action. A critical research paradigm underpinned the research approach. The research was informed by social movement theory which includes structural and cultural dimensions of collective action. The approach was also informed by the researcher?s history of involvement in activism. Qualitative descriptive research, involving the triangulation of methods, was conducted in Australia and the State of California, in the USA. Fieldwork took place in three phases, involving a questionnaire mailed to Australian activists, analysis of documents held in archival collections in San Francisco and Long Beach, interviews with key activists involved in the Californian process of change and interviews with older GLBTI Australian activists. Throughout the period of the inquiry, the researcher recorded a log of relevant action that occurred in Australia. The data revealed three key findings regarding the Californian process of change and the Australian situation: Aspects of the change process in the State of California, in the USA, involving personal style, individual biography and devotion to the cause, formed a vital personal dimension of collective action; Issues associated with leadership and self-determination were of significance in shaping the change process and determining the outcome of collective action in California; Interest in GLBTI ageing issues and pockets of relevant action were evident in Australia, but a co-ordinated collective process of action was not identified. This thesis argues that lessons drawn from the process of collective action in the State of California could inform action that may take place in Australia. A dialogue between Australian activists, addressing the outcomes of this research, could also assist the development of a locally appropriate process of change. The thesis reveals implications and challenges for the aged care industry, in relation to service provision, education and training, policy development, and further research. The research provides a contribution to the discussion of matters which could assist to minimise discrimination, alleviate fear, promote equity and enhance the value of diversity in Australian gerontology in the future. / thesis (PhDHealthSciences)--University of South Australia, 2004.