A phenomenological analysis: Using life mapping to explore sexual identity development in middle-aged lesbians.

This article focuses on the lived experiences of Generation X (Gen X) lesbians—women born between 1961 and 1981 who self-identify as lesbian—and how heteronormativity has influenced their sexual identity development and self-perception. Using qualitative methods and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study with three UK-based participants identified three main themes: the impact of heteronormativity (including pressures to conform to heterosexual marriage and concealment of identity), the journey to their true selves (highlighting milestones such as first same-sex sexual encounters and coming out), and negotiating a lesbian identity within their sociocultural and historical context (emphasizing community and belonging). The research underscores the prolonged suppression and invisibility experienced by Gen X lesbians due to societal norms, contributing to feminist and LGBTQ+ ageing literature by illuminating an underexplored demographic. It also advocates for intersectional and life course approaches in future research to better understand diverse sexual identity developments across age, culture, and social positioning.