Coming Out Late

In this episode of the Coming Out Late podcast, Robin sits down to chat with the 2023 Rehoboth Beach, DE “Women’s Fest” Co-Chairs.    

In this “Women’s Fest” episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you'll learn . . . 

• That the Coming Out Late Community is organizing a Retreat to Women’s Fest ‘23, located in Rehoboth Beach, DE April 27-30th, 2023.
• The importance of “community” when coming out later in life - finding “community” at safe lgbtq+ events, like, Women’s Fest.
• The history of Women’s Fest and Camp Rehoboth.
• What can we expect to do from Thursday through Sunday at Women’s Fest ‘23.
• From Singles Speed Dating, to an all-female vendor expo, to dances, music, comedy and entertainment, and sports, there are TONS of ways to make new memories, forge new friendships and be out and proud - whether it’s your first time at a gay women’s event, or you’ve been going to them for years - Women’s Fest sure seems designed to provide lots of opportunities for fun-in-the-sun at the beach! 
• Learn all about Camp Rehoboth by visiting their website at: www.camprehoboth.com.
• If you have any questions regarding Women’s Fest, feel free to email either of them at: (Teri) [email protected], or (Karen) [email protected].
• To join the Coming Out Late Retreat, attending Women’s Fest in April, email Robin at: [email protected].
• If YOU would like to share your story (anonymously or publicly), on the Coming Out Late podcast, email Robin at: [email protected].
• To receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: [email protected].
• 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

Links to resources:

THE 2023 “COMING OUT LATE RETREAT” SCHEDULE:
We are “retreating” to:

(1) Phoenix, Arizona: April 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2023

(2) Rehoboth Beach, DE: April 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2023 - “Women’s Fest”

To be put on the waiting list for ANY of the these Retreats, (Arizona or Delaware), email Robin at: [email protected].

“WOMEN’S FEST” RETREAT, REHOBOTH BEACH, DE

For more information about the details of the “Women’s Fest” weekend itself, keep an eye out for their updated information to be available by the end of February. They are slowly adding information to their website as their event details get solidified; you can go to: https://www.camprehoboth.com//womensfest.

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

FOLLOW ROBIN ON INSTAGRAM AT:

To follow Robin on Instagram, and to learn her ‘word’ for 2023, go to:

@late.blooming.lesbian 

COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:

Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:

www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/

COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROU

Support the show

In this Part 2 episode, Robin continues her conversation with Krista, a 49-year old late bloomer. Krista never really used any labels for herself regarding how she felt about boys and girls, men and women - but she did know she was never really enamored with ‘guys’, when all of her female school friends were! After a secret relationship with a girl in high school, (they even went to the high school Prom together), Krista moved out of state for college and married a man when she was quite young. The minute she left that 3-year marriage, (and around the time of her college graduation), her very first thought turned to - you guessed it - WOMEN! But, not knowing where to find her community of gay women or how to even begin to date a woman, Krista’s attention was distracted by a very nice young guy, who she would ultimately marry.    

In this episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you will hear Krista talk about . . . 

• WHO and HOW she was outed to her husband.
• Does anyone, besides us, have the ‘right’ to out us to people we know/love?
• Krista’s plans for her future: divorce? Move out?
• Learning to NOT JUDGE someone when they’ve had an affair. “Acceptance” and “kindness” is always the better way to go, versus ‘judgment’.
• What constitutes an ‘affair’? Is the thinking around ‘affairs’ also an old construct that needs to be re-thought and re-visited?
• Letting go of an unhealthy catalyst relationship.
• Am I still gay if I’m no longer with my catalyst?
• Making gay friends is soooooo important! Building healthy friendships and building a gay community should be the priority over a relationship.
• Recognizing unhealthy self-soothing behaviors (i.e., ‘shopping’), and recognizing codependent behavior!
• Get outside in nature; get to know yourself more - spend alone time w/yourself.
• How 1:1 private Coaching w/Robin has helped Krista out enormously; Robin has helped her with her catalyst experience, the messy middle, and moving forward.
• If YOU would like to share your story (anonymously or publicly), on the Coming Out Late podcast, email Robin at: [email protected].
• To receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: [email protected].
• 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

Links to resources:

THE 2023 “COMING OUT LATE RETREAT” SCHEDULE:
We are “retreating” to:

(1) Phoenix, Arizona: April 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2023

(2) Rehoboth Beach, DE: April 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2023 - “Women’s Fest”

To be put on the waiting list for ANY of the THREE Retreats, (Florida, Arizona or Delaware), email Robin at: [email protected].

“WOMEN’S FEST” RETREAT, REHOBOTH BEACH, DE

For more information about the details of the “Women’s Fest” weekend itself, they are slowly adding information to their website as their event details get solidified; you can go to: https://www.camprehoboth.com//womensfest.

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simpl

Support the show

In this Part 1 episode, Robin interviews 49-year old late bloomer, Krista. Krista was originally from Nebraska and New Mexico before her family moved to Texas where she lived until graduating from high school. Krista never really used any labels for herself regarding how she felt about boys and girls, men and women - but she did know she was never really enamored with ‘guys’, when all of her female school friends were! After a secret relationship with a girl in high school, (they even went to the high school Prom together), Krista moved out of state for college and married a man quite young. The minute she left that 3-year marriage, (and around the time of her college graduation), her very first thought turned to - you guessed it - WOMEN! But, not knowing where to find her community of gay women or how to even begin to date a woman, Krista’s attention was distracted by a very nice young guy, who she would ultimately marry.    

In this episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you will hear Krista talk about . . . 

• Her early upbringing, and whether or not her parents and siblings were religious or not?
• Krista’s recollection of how she felt about ‘guys’ growing up..
• Krista’s ‘secret’ relationship with a girl in high school, and how was it that they even went to the Prom together!
• Krista married a guy quite young, pretty much at the start of her college career. 
• What were Krista’s first thoughts after the dissolution of her first, brief marriage?
• How did Krista finally confirm her fondness for women?
• If YOU would like to share your story (anonymously or publicly), on the Coming Out Late podcast, email Robin at: [email protected].
• To receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: [email protected].
• 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

Links to resources:

THE 2023 “COMING OUT LATE RETREAT” SCHEDULE:
We are “retreating” to:

(1) Phoenix, Arizona: April 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2023

(2) Rehoboth Beach, DE: April 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2023 - “Women’s Fest”

To be put on the waiting list for ANY of the THREE Retreats, (Florida, Arizona or Delaware), email Robin at: [email protected].

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

FOLLOW ROBIN ON INSTAGRAM AT:

To follow Robin on Instagram, and to learn her ‘word’ for 2023, go to:

@late.blooming.lesbian 

COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:

Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:

www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/

COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:

Support Groups are coming back for 2023!! The schedule, registration process and cost to attend will be announced very soon. They WILL be held on Wednesday evenings, from either 7pm to 8:15pm EST or 8pm EST to 9:15pm sharp. If group members wish to stay longer than the al

Support the show

In this Part 2 episode of “Life After Coming Out Late”, Robin continues her conversation with late bloomer and Women Loving Women support group friend, Cheryl. Cheryl left us hanging in Part 1, as to what her life looks like now, now that she has settled-into her own place and helping her daughter get settled and adjusted as well. Having no previous experience ‘being’ with a woman, let alone ever having dated a woman, Cheryl was in no rush to get herself ‘out there’ on the dating scene. Instead, she found so much comfort and value in getting to know herself more deeply, and being available to her daughter. Through this conversation with Cheryl & Valerie, once again, Robin shows us the importance of “representation” and how vital it is for us to share our coming out late stories with one another. When others hear our stories, (especially others questioning their own sexuality), they learn that they are not alone, and that there IS hope. What a gift we can give one another, simply by sharing our stories.  

In this episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you will learn . . . 

• Who Valerie is, and what HER ‘Coming Out Lte” story is.
• How Valerie did not necessarily see or find “representation” either, and there really wasn’t anyone around to talk about what she was feeling & experiencing.
• Once Valerie WAS around other queer people, how easy it was to slip right into the group, feel accepted, and understand herself WAY more clearly!
• About Valerie’s very brief and underwhelming experience on the dating apps, and why she chose to take a break from them. 
• How Valerie & Cheryl met and what their life is like now.
• Are long distance relationships worth it?
• What are the pluses and minuses of dating someone from another country?
• If YOU would like to share your story (anonymously or publicly), on the Coming Out Late podcast, email Robin at: [email protected].
• To receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: [email protected].
• 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

Links to resources:

THE 2023 COMING OUT LATE RETREAT.
There have been some revisions to the 2023 Retreat Schedule. We are “retreating” to:
(a) Florida in March: Jacksonville Beach, FL; March 16, 17, 18, and 19, 2023,

(b) Phoenix / Scottsdale, Arizona: April 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2023

c) Rehoboth Beach, DE: April 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2023 - “Women’s Fest”

To be put on the waiting list for ANY of the THREE Retreats, (Florida, Arizona or Delaware), email Robin at: [email protected].

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:

Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:

www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/

COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:

Support Groups are coming back for 2023!! The schedule, registration process and cost

Support the show

In this episode, Robin meets back up with an old Women Loving Women Support Group pal, Cheryl. It’s been a little over a year, and Robin wants to know what Cheryl has been up to since coming out late. Robin asks Cheryl to share with us what her life was like BEFORE coming out, how DID she realize she was gay and come out, and what ‘life’ has been like since surviving the dreaded messy middle. Through this conversation with Cheryl & Valerie, once again, Robin shows us the importance of “representation” and how vital it is for us to share our coming out late stories, so others hearing our stories who are possibly questioning their own sexualities, won’t feel so alone, and know that there IS hope beyond our compulsory heteronormative lives!  

In this episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you will learn . . . 

• How the lack of talking about emotions and ‘things’ in Cheryl’s upbringing led to figuring ‘things’ out on her own.
• How one can be an open-minded, liberal, “feeler”, (and thinker), but without representation, how is one able to understand and learn about LGBTQ+ topics? “Being gay wasn’t really a thing - everyone was hetero and that was that…” 
• How making “safe choices” in life, particularly early in life, turns out NOT necessarily to be “the” way to proceed with life! 
• How lockdown during Covid forced us ALL to look inward; there were no more distractions or ways to stay super busy - forcing us to look within!
• What tools you can use to help with self-reflection and going inward. 
• This Late Bloomers’ reaction to her own coming out - her “Aha!” moment.
• What to do next when we realize: “...I’m not living the life that I should be…”
• To receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: [email protected].
• 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

Links to resources:

THE 2023 COMING OUT LATE RETREAT.
There have been some revisions to the 2023 Retreat Schedule. We are “retreating” to:
(a) Florida in March: Jacksonville Beach, FL; March 16, 17, 18, and 19, 2023,

(b) Phoenix / Scottsdale, Arizona: April 13, 14, 15, & 16, 2023

c) Rehoboth Beach, DE: April 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2023 - “Women’s Fest”

To be put on the waiting list for ANY of the THREE Retreats, (Florida, Arizona or Delaware), email Robin at: [email protected].

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

FOLLOW ROBIN ON INSTAGRAM AT:

To follow Robin on Instagram, and to learn her ‘word’ for 2023, go to:

@late.blooming.lesbian 

COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:

Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:

www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/

COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:

Support Groups are coming back for 2023!! The schedule, registration process and cost to attend will be announced very soon. Th

Support the show

In this episode, Robin sets the tone for 2023 - not only for herself - but she challenges us all to think about setting some conscious intentions for our lives in 2023. Robin asks us to ponder and select one word that will be our battle-cry for all of 2023.

In this episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you will learn . . .

• What is conscious awareness?
• Why is it important to be consciously-aware?
• What does it mean to ‘set-intentions’?
• What are the benefits of setting intentions?
• How can setting-intentions help you on your coming out journey?
• Why you should listen to your body & heart, instead of your mind.
• How focusing on one word can help with personal growth and progress
• To receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: [email protected].
• 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 

Links to resources:

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

FOLLOW ROBIN ON INSTAGRAM AT:

To follow Robin on Instagram, and to learn her ‘word’ for 2023, go to:

@late.blooming.lesbian

COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:

Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:

www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/

COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:

Support Groups are coming back for 2023!! The schedule, registration process and cost to attend will be announced very soon. They WILL be held on Wednesday evenings, from 8pm EST to 9:15pm sharp. If group members wish to stay longer than the allotted 75 minutes, Robin will leave the Zoom Room open for as long as you all wish to stay, but Robin will be leaving the group at 9:15pm EST. For more details and to be added to the Support Group Wait List, email Robin at: [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE: One Wednesday will be the “Women Loving Women” support group, alternating Wednesdays with “Fifty Plus & Fabulous”, for women close-to 50 years old and over. ANYONE can join the “Women Loving Women” Group.

BISEXUALLY SPEAKING: SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION MEETS WEEKLY:The weekly group, “Bisexually Speaking” continues to be available for anyone who identifies as gay, AND of course, for anyone who identifies or *thinks* they are bisexual. We do not turn anyone away who wishes to try attending a small group discussion, questions where on the gay spectrum you fall, or simply needs a support group.

Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm EST

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93135

THE 2023 COMING OUT LATE RETREAT.There have been some revisions to the 2023 Retreat Schedule. We are “retreating” to:(a) Florida in March,

(b) Arizona in mid-April, and

c) “Women’s Fest” in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

To be put on the waiting list for either the Florida March Retreat OR the April Arizona Retreat, email Robin at: [email protected].

Support the show

In this episode, Robin sets the tone for 2023 - not only for herself - but she challenges us all to think about setting some conscious intentions for our lives in 2023. Robin asks us to ponder and select one word that will be our battle-cry for all of 2023.

In this episode of the “Coming Out Late” podcast, you will learn . . .

• What is conscious awareness?
• Why is it important to be consciously-aware?
• What does it mean to ‘set-intentions’?
• What are the benefits of setting intentions?
• How can setting-intentions help you on your coming out journey?
• Why you should listen to your body & heart, instead of your mind.
• How focusing on one word can help with personal growth and progress
• To receive one-on-one private Coaching with Robin, email her at: [email protected].
• 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 

Links to resources:

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation for bringing you this awesome podcast week after week. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

FOLLOW ROBIN ON INSTAGRAM AT:

To follow Robin on Instagram, and to learn her ‘word’ for 2023, go to:

@late.blooming.lesbian

COMING OUT LATE FB GROUP:

Join our private FB Group: Coming Out Late at:

www.facebook.com/groups/209443717714063/

COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:

Support Groups are coming back for 2023!! The schedule, registration process and cost to attend will be announced very soon. They WILL be held on Wednesday evenings, from 8pm EST to 9:15pm sharp. If group members wish to stay longer than the allotted 75 minutes, Robin will leave the Zoom Room open for as long as you all wish to stay, but Robin will be leaving the group at 9:15pm EST. For more details and to be added to the Support Group Wait List, email Robin at: [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE: One Wednesday will be the “Women Loving Women” support group, alternating Wednesdays with “Fifty Plus & Fabulous”, for women close-to 50 years old and over. ANYONE can join the “Women Loving Women” Group.

BISEXUALLY SPEAKING: SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION MEETS WEEKLY:The weekly group, “Bisexually Speaking” continues to be available for anyone who identifies as gay, AND of course, for anyone who identifies or *thinks* they are bisexual. We do not turn anyone away who wishes to try attending a small group discussion, questions where on the gay spectrum you fall, or simply needs a support group.

Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm EST

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass/e/93135

THE 2023 COMING OUT LATE RETREAT.There have been some revisions to the 2023 Retreat Schedule. We are “retreating” to:(a) Florida in March,

(b) Arizona in mid-April, and

c) “Women’s Fest” in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

To be put on the waiting list for either the Florida March Retreat OR the April Arizona Retreat, email Robin at: [email protected].

In this episode, Robin again breaks the mold in the world of LGBTQ+ podcasting by introducing us to yet another one of her listeners, via a letter she received from Helen. Like the previous letter read in last season’s Episode #55 by Michelle in Australia, Robin received a letter from Helen, outlining her very painful and difficult 2022, complete with Helen’s coming out story. Robin was so struck by Helen’s vulnerability, the pain she is working through, the self-discovery she is experiencing, and of course, her beautiful coming out story, that she knew she had to share Helen’s story with us. In fact, Helen shared her story with Robin as an offering for it to be read on the podcast.  But Robin knew that the impact of Helen’s words and all the sentiment behind them would be better spoken by Helen herself. So, Robin asked and Helen agreed to read her own letter, aloud, for the Coming Out Late audience.

Helen’s real, raw and relatable story shares with us the following . . .

• How grief, gender dysphoria, autism, intersex, bisexuality, and ultimately, butch lesbian ALL came to light in Helen’s world in 2022!
• How Helen has to deal with the guilt that SHE has survived and is now free to turn away from her deceased husband, after 34 years of marriage, and move on with her life. And, with him now being gone, and her alone, she must now choose a different path to her future than the one in which they had originally planned for themselves together. After all, “Life” is for the Living, is it not?
• What is gender dysphoria? “Gender Dysphoria” is defined as: a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch, or incongruence, between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.
• What it means to be Intersex: ​​Intersex describes naturally occurring variations in biological sex characteristics. These differences may be apparent at birth or may not be recognized until later in life. Oftentimes, a person will go through life fully unaware that they have an intersex variation.  Intersex is both a biological state and, in recent years, a group identity for people who have been historically stigmatized for being born with bodies that do not align with the binary definition of "boy/girl," "man/woman," or "male/female."
• The realization of masculine secondary sexual characteristics such as: the need to shave her facial hair, a deeper voice than ‘typical’ of females, and a more muscular physicality.
• Helen’s initial declaration of being bisexual, only later to publicly announce and acknowledge her lifelong butch lesbian inclinations.
• Her realization that, at the moment, ‘living her dream’ has nothing to do with attracting others, but it’s about at last learning how to love and accept herself for who she truly is, AND enjoying being that person.
• 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

Links to resources:

THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, HELEN FLACK:

Thank you Helen for sharing your story full of your experience, strength and hope with us, and for taking the time to write and record this episode for us.

To learn more and/or to make a donation in Simon Flack’s name, please visit: https://sitran.org/support-us/how-donate/. The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience

Support the show

In this episode, Robin again breaks the mold in the world of LGBTQ+ podcasting by introducing us to yet another one of her listeners, via a letter she received from Helen. Like the previous letter read in last season’s Episode #55 by Michelle in Australia, Robin received a letter from Helen, outlining her very painful and difficult 2022, complete with Helen’s coming out story. Robin was so struck by Helen’s vulnerability, the pain she is working through, the self-discovery she is experiencing, and of course, her beautiful coming out story, that she knew she had to share Helen’s story with us. In fact, Helen shared her story with Robin as an offering for it to be read on the podcast.  But Robin knew that the impact of Helen’s words and all the sentiment behind them would be better spoken by Helen herself. So, Robin asked and Helen agreed to read her own letter, aloud, for the Coming Out Late audience.

Helen’s real, raw and relatable story shares with us the following . . .

• How grief, gender dysphoria, autism, intersex, bisexuality, and ultimately, butch lesbian ALL came to light in Helen’s world in 2022!
• How Helen has to deal with the guilt that SHE has survived and is now free to turn away from her deceased husband, after 34 years of marriage, and move on with her life. And, with him now being gone, and her alone, she must now choose a different path to her future than the one in which they had originally planned for themselves together. After all, “Life” is for the Living, is it not?
• What is gender dysphoria? “Gender Dysphoria” is defined as: a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch, or incongruence, between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.
• What it means to be Intersex: ​​Intersex describes naturally occurring variations in biological sex characteristics. These differences may be apparent at birth or may not be recognized until later in life. Oftentimes, a person will go through life fully unaware that they have an intersex variation.  Intersex is both a biological state and, in recent years, a group identity for people who have been historically stigmatized for being born with bodies that do not align with the binary definition of "boy/girl," "man/woman," or "male/female."
• The realization of masculine secondary sexual characteristics such as: the need to shave her facial hair, a deeper voice than ‘typical’ of females, and a more muscular physicality.
• Helen’s initial declaration of being bisexual, only later to publicly announce and acknowledge her lifelong butch lesbian inclinations.
• Her realization that, at the moment, ‘living her dream’ has nothing to do with attracting others, but it’s about at last learning how to love and accept herself for who she truly is, AND enjoying being that person.
• 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

Links to resources:

THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, HELEN FLACK:

Thank you Helen for sharing your story full of your experience, strength and hope with us, and for taking the time to write and record this episode for us.

To learn more and/or to make a donation in Simon Flack’s name, please visit: https://sitran.org/support-us/how-donate/. The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is known for their groundbreaking research into ALS or MND.

In this Part Two episode, Robin continues her conversation with late bloomer and LGBTQ+ Mindset & Empowerment Coach AND Spiritual Mentor, Kari DeWitt. Robin picks back up with the challenging question for Kari, “...how do we help our LGBTQ+ coming out late community overcome debilitating feelings of selfishness while they’re navigating their new trajectory in life as a gay person…?” Kari’s answer may surprise you. Likewise, Robin and Kari also look back at how much about themselves and about their lives have changed, in just one short year.

In this episode you will also hear Robin and Kari talk about . . .

• How Kari’s look has changed over the past year; how she identifies today, as opposed to a year ago, and what she ‘labels’ herself as today.
• There are no rules when it comes to who you are ‘supposed’ to be.
• Give yourself permission to play with the way you look, the way you wear your hair, the way you sound and how you talk. Experiment and play around and when something feels right or you say, “Ooh, I like the way that looks. I like the way I feel when I wear my hair this way…”
• Stand in your power and simply ‘be’. It’s OK to just ‘be’.
• When we act, and live-in authenticity, we give everyone else who hears and sees us living authentically, permission to do the same.
• In accepting ourselves, our queerness, we are taking one step closer in accepting that ‘things’ change in life; things change all the time in life.
• ‘Things’ don’t happen TO-us in life; ‘things’ happen FOR us in our lives.
• We all need to learn to ‘let go’ and trust that we’re always taken care of and everything that’s happening in our lives is happening for us.
• Kari reveals HER secret to living an authentic and soulful life - it’s all in the STARs: Surrendering, Trusting, Allowing, and finally, Releasing.
• Learn to love yourself first; we simply cannot fully love another human being until we learn how to love ourselves first.
• 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 

Links to resources:

THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, KARI DEWITT:

To learn more about Kari DeWitt and her LGBTQ+ Mindset & Empowerment Coach, AND Spiritual Mentor offerings, go to: https://www.karidewitt.com

TO LISTEN TO EPISODE #5, MY NOVEMBER 2021 CONVERSATION w/KARI DEWITT, GO TO:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-out-late/id1589128068?i=1000540356354

WWW.BUYMEACOFFEE.COM

Wanna support our “Coming Out Late” podcast? Then please consider 'buying me a coffee' as a sign of appreciation. Any and all donations are deeply, deeply appreciated!!  Simply go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RobinDouglass

COMING OUT LATE SUPPORT GROUPS:

Three out of the four Coming Out Late Support Groups are suspended until further notice while Robin recovers from the influenza virus. The one support group that is open to anyone in need of weekly support is “Bisexually Speaking”. You must use the link below each and every week, in order to register and receive the sign-in information. There is a $5 per person, per meeting WEEKLY “Cover Charge” to participate.

Bisexually Speaking, every Wednesday at 12:30pm EST

Support the show