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Older sexual minorities belonging to a religious group may experience poorer psychological wellbeing, as they have historically been discriminated against by religious communities. However, some research suggests that LGBTQ individuals can benefit from religious support. This study examined the relations of outness to religious community and religious activity with depression in 102 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults over the age of 55. As part of a larger study, participants completed the Religion and Spirituality Questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Of those who reported being religious or spiritual (n=87), outness to religious community was significantly correlated with relying on religious teachings for problems, satisfaction with outness to religious community, relying on religious beliefs as a guide, and praying (ps

Depression as well as dissatisfaction with sexual wellbeing is common in older lesbian women and gay men. This study explored the relationship of sexual functioning and satisfaction with depression severity in lesbians and gay men who were ages 55 years and older. As part of a larger study, 32 lesbian women and 44 gay men were given the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, and questions regarding sexual satisfaction and frequency of current sexual activity. In gay men, depression severity was significantly correlated with sexual functioning (r=-.448, p=.015) but not with general sexual satisfaction (r=-.212, p=.287). When examining specific items of sexual satisfaction, enjoyment, frequency, desire, and thoughts and pleasure of thoughts of sexual activity were significantly negatively correlated with depression severity. As for sexual functioning, only ability and frequency of ejaculation and pleasure in orgasm was negatively correlated with depression severity in gay men. In lesbian women, depression was not significantly correlated with sexual functioning or satisfaction or to specific items of sexual satisfaction and functioning. Results suggest that depression severity was negatively correlated with sexual satisfaction but less so with functioning in gay men. However, no significant relationships were found between sexual functioning and satisfaction with depression in lesbian women. These findings suggest that sexual satisfaction and functioning may play an important role in the emotional wellbeing of older gay men, but not in older lesbian women.