The Aging Rainbow Research Project

A Research Project led by Dr. Amelia C. Thorpe

The Aging Rainbow is a qualitative research project that explores and elevates the lived experience of 2SLGBTQI+ older adults and seniors in New Brunswick and addresses questions of access, inclusion, isolation, and community participation. Collaborators shared photographs in response to prompts about accessibility, aging, and community, which will be added to a participatory digital archive on this website (coming soon).

A black and white photo of a section of rocky shore jutting into the ocean.
A black and white photo of an outdoor bench with two plastic seats on it. The seats look slightly skewed and aged.

There is a dearth of research that acknowledges the lived experiences and unique needs of 2SLGBTQI+ seniors in Canada, particularly those in Atlantic Canada. New Brunswick is a highly rural, rapidly aging province with the second-highest rate of disability in the country. The Aging Rainbow explores accessibility and inclusion across medical, social, civic, and community contexts. Community resources and academic publications are forthcoming.

A black and white photo of stone steps in an outdoor, nature setting, along a path surrounded by trees.
A black and white image of an aged hand with prominent knuckles and wrinkled skin, resting atop the opposite forearm. The individual is wearing an ornate pearl ring and a polka-dot top with short sleeves.
A black and white image of a bench in the distance, against an open sky. There is an individual with a large brimmed hat sitting alone on the bench. In the foreground there is tall grass.