Discovering Late-Life Lesbianism With Melisa Raney
For some people, coming out as LGBTQ is easy – they’re comfortable with their identity and sexuality, and may have a supportive network. And sometimes it’s downright messy – they’re older, married with kids, or simply unable to accept their truth. Whatever the case may be - coming out can be difficult, confusing and painful. My next guest is Melisa Raney - a mother and advocate for coming out. At 36, Melisa slowly began to question her sexuality. The problem was, she was in a heterosexual marriage, raising their two young children. Today, she is making, what she calls, her ‘mess’ her message: sharing her experience to guide others through the difficult process of coming out later in life.
For some people, coming out as LGBTQ is easy – they’re comfortable with their identity and sexuality, and may have a supportive network. And sometimes it’s downright messy – they’re older, married with kids, or simply unable to accept their truth. Whatever the case may be - coming out can be difficult, confusing and painful.
My next guest is Melisa Raney - a mother and advocate for coming out. At 36, Melisa slowly began to question her sexuality. The problem was, she was in a heterosexual marriage, raising their two young children. Today, she is making, what she calls, her ‘mess’ her message: sharing her experience to guide others through the difficult process of coming out later in life.
It is no easy feat, but as Melisa teaches us: when you live your life authentically, you begin to live your life unapologetically.
My next guest is Melisa Raney - a mother and advocate for coming out. At 36, Melisa slowly began to question her sexuality. The problem was, she was in a heterosexual marriage, raising their two young children. Today, she is making, what she calls, her ‘mess’ her message: sharing her experience to guide others through the difficult process of coming out later in life.
It is no easy feat, but as Melisa teaches us: when you live your life authentically, you begin to live your life unapologetically.
Quotes
“I was following what was expected of me: go to school, go to college, meet the boy and get married…” [3:50]
“I had misread my own sexuality.” [4:20]
“It made me feel so validated; what I was feeling was real” [10:00]
“I was trying to fit in this box that society had created for me…” [11:22]
“I was happy in my marriage but I wasn’t fulfilled.” [24:30]
Notes
• Melisa’s background [2:40]
• Melisa’s experience of coming out [5:20]
• How Melisa’s family took her news [7:40]
• How Melisa handled her new life and her children [13:20]
• Melisa’s work [18:56]
• Why people don’t own their sexuality [23:30]
• How Melisa has changed [25:25]
• Lessons learned [28:12]
• Closing thoughts [31:40]
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