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

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