Ageing queer bodies and the psyche: a qualitative study from Mumbai, India

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature on ageing and embodiment in India. However, there is scant research from India that explored how a heteronormative culture of idolizing the physique and body appeal could pose additional challenges for older queer individuals and impact their psychosocial well-being. The objective of this chapter was to explore how middle-aged and older queer men (above 40 years) from India navigate their lives in youth-dominated queer spaces and strive to retain their masculinity. The study utilized in-depth interviews with 30 middle-aged or older (40–81 years) non-heterosexual men from Mumbai, India. The participants were recruited through social media advertisements on Facebook and the gay dating app, Grindr. The study analyzed how Indian queer men perceived their ageing bodies, negotiated with their bodies to fit in the masculinized gay subculture, and highlighted their psychological distress during this process. The chapter discusses the psychological consequences for older adults are pervasive in a society where the body is central to one’s identity and is also a means to achieve the life they desire. These findings call for the urgent attention of healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the larger society to be sensitive to the psychological needs of the middle-aged and older queer men in India.