Ageing at the Margins: The Experiences of Rainbow Migrants in Australia’s Ageing Population

As ageing and migration converge to shape demographic trends globally, the experiences of LGBTQIA+ (rainbow) migrants—particularly older individuals—remain understudied. This paper addresses the intersection of ageing, migration, and sexual diversity by exploring the experiences of rainbow migrants in Australia. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data from the Rainbow Migrants Living Lab, this research examines how ageing rainbow migrants navigate multiple forms of marginalisation—based on sexuality, ethnicity, and age—within a predominantly heteronormative and youth-focused migration framework.

Australia, a country where both ageing and migration are increasingly salient, provides a unique context for understanding how rainbow migrants contend with the challenges of growing older in a society that remains marked by both racial and sexual inequalities. The paper examines key themes such as social isolation, access to culturally competent health care, and the compounded challenges faced by older LGBTQIA+ migrants who have experienced discrimination based on both their sexual and ethnic identities. Additionally, it considers the broader social and economic structures that influence the lives of these individuals, including the growing reliance on migrant workers in Australia’s aged care sector, and how this reliance intersects with the need for inclusive aged care services for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The study also sheds light on how older rainbow migrants develop coping mechanisms and community support systems to navigate these intertwined challenges. By bringing visibility to this often-overlooked group, this paper contributes to expanding the sociological imagination on the nexus of ageing and migration, pushing for more inclusive policies and practices that recognise the diversity of ageing migrants.