I am so happy to be invisible’
Subversive invisibility of older lesbians in Israel
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11199762 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Olga Edyta Saktura-Żukowicz (0000-0002-4976-5894, University of Gdańsk, corresponding author), L Ayalon (0000-0003-3339-7879, Bar-Ilan University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Ageing and Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0144686x26100713 |
| OpenAlex | W7141381493 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 36 |
Many academics have used the concept of intersectional discrimination, based on age, gender and sexual orientation, to describe the challenging situation of older lesbians. In contrast, the present study demonstrates that the invisibility of older lesbians can create opportunities for freely expressing their sexual identity. Relying on semi-structured interviews with 21 Israeli lesbian women aged between 50 and 79 years, the research explores how older lesbians experience this invisibility and what coping strategies they use. Using thematic analysis, a broad theme concerning the subversive meaning of invisibility is identified. This is defined as a situation in which an individual becomes noticeable through unconventional behaviours that are not inherently linked to their social status, leading to confusion and surprise among onlookers. The broader theme is subdivided into two sub-themes: (1) interpersonal invisibility, as a source of personal freedom from societal norms; and (2) intrapersonal visibility, as promoting acceptance in experiencing one’s own sexual identity. The findings are analysed through the lens of three theories: intersectionality, the psychology of invisibility and theories of weak resistance. The interpretation of the participants’ narratives indicates that older lesbians employ rebellious and subversive strategies to cope with the consequences of social invisibility
Confusion · Interpretation (philosophy) · Intersectionality · Invisibility · Lesbian · Meaning (existential) · Narrative · Surprise · Theme (computing) · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Disability Rights and Representation · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
The Cascading Effects of Marginalization and Pathways of Resilience in Attaining Good Health Among LGBT Older Adults
Intersectionality in quantitative research
How Race, Sex, and Age Frame the Use of Authority by Local Government Officials
“It’s the not being seen that is most tiresome”
Experiencing menopause in the UK
Negating Identity
Masquerading their way to authenticity
Older Lesbians
Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis
Specificity without identity
Gender Specifics of Healthy Ageing in Older Age as Seen by Women and Men (70+)
Discussing Lesbian In/Visibility
Tomboy as Protective Identity
Is lesbian identity obsolete
Unknowable Bodies, Unthinkable Sexualities
Coherent deviants
Neither invisible nor abnormal!’ Exploring the invisibility and pathologisation of LGBT people in the Greek National Health System
Invisible Women
Invisibility of racial/ethnic minorities in developmental science
Lesbians Over 65
Feminine but Not Femme
Homophobic Violence, Coping Styles, Visibility Management, and Mental Health
Visibility
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |