Ep. #189: Michelle's Coming Out Late Story

In this episode, Robin continues to break the mold in the world of LGBTQ podcasting by introducing us to one of her listeners, Michelle, hailing all the way from Australia. Robin was so struck by a note she received from Michelle, that she knew she had to share it with her listener’s, with MIchelle’s consent of course. Robin also knew that the impact of Michelle’s words and all the sentiment behind them would be better spoken by Michelle herself. So, Michelle agreed to read her own letter to Robin, aloud, for the Coming Out Late audience.

Whether covered directly, or implied, this episode touches upon topics which get us thinking about . . .

• The universal nature of coming out late, no matter where in the world we live.
• The effect of women in non-traditional, but male-dominated occupations.
• Is it a woman’s responsibility to help make a man feel ‘whole’ if he feels emasculated or threatened by a woman?
• Being with men, cutting off bits of myself and making myself smaller in order that they would feel like men.
• Many of the late in life stories include complex arrangements and rearrangements of marriage and children and Incredibly courageous and challenging journeys. This guest doesn’t have children, and is not married.
• There is more to “identity” than just our sexuality.
• A life lived out of other people's expectations is a life dominated by fear and resentment.
• Being honest with other women, from the very start.
• Am I an “L”? A “B”? Or maybe a “P”? Do we need labels? How do I flirt with a woman?
• Do I now need to dress differently and wear beanies?
• Which life-lived is my real reality? Everything feels completely flipped upside-down, or sideways, or completely averse.
• Sexual identity versus cultural conditioning; internalized homophobia, people pleasing and the female anatomy.
• It seemed that the rainbow world offered many possibilities for stepping out of one cage and into another.
• Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider buying Robin a “virtual” coffee as a sign of your appreciation for all the time, love and energy she pours into our Community. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass