Gay Men at Midlife

Abstract

This study draws on interview data, a grounded theoretical methodology, and social identity theory concepts to explore how early midlife gay men manage their age identities through the use of linguistic labels, intragenerational talk among peers, and intergenerational talk with younger gay men. Face-to-face, semistructured interviews were conducted with 40 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse early midlife gay men (aged 40-53) in four U.S. cities. Men discussed conversations between themselves and gay men in their 20s, as well as the nature of their age identities. Open and axial coding of the men’s intra- and intergroup language use and other communicative behavior—with attention to accompanying motivations for engaging in such talk and nonverbal expression—revealed a new grounded theory of social identity management. Similarities and extensions to social identity theory were discussed, as were the theory’s implications for understanding gay midlife.