Abstract
An association between previous coming out experiences and current depression, suicide, and overall physical and mental health was observed in this national, cross-sectional study of 316 older gay men. The older men who retrospectively reported having experienced high levels of stress when coming out to parents and other family members evidenced worse physical health, higher internalized homophobia, lower resilience, weaker internal health locus of control, and more substance abuse compared to older gay men who reported experiencing minimal family stress when coming out. The findings underscore the importance of using a life course framework and Meyer’s minority stress theory to understand older gay men’s mental and physical well-being. These early experiences evidently affect older men’s health throughout their lives although longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings. Mental health interventions that address these critical events are discussed.