Late-in-life lesbians are finding support and community in a changing world, as more Americans identify as L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ than ever before.
One such woman, Ms. Terpening, came out in 2014 and faced some skepticism from those she had known since childhood. However, she found solace and acceptance in online communities and with her family, who helped her navigate her newfound identity. Despite still being legally married to her husband and sharing a home, they no longer share a bedroom.
Now, Ms. Terpening runs an organization that provides services to teenagers in rural areas who identify as L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+, drawing inspiration from the bravery of younger generations. A recent Gallup poll reported that nearly 8 percent of Americans identified as L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ in 2023, with a significant increase in the number of lesbians compared to previous years.
Miriam Grace, a psychotherapist in Britain who came out at 50, surveyed late-in-life lesbians for her book “Queering Gestalt Therapy.” She found that some women had always known they were lesbians but hid their true selves due to fear of discrimination, while others discovered their sexuality later in life after developing strong attractions to women.
Overall, the trend of late-in-life lesbians embracing their true identities reflects a broader shift towards acceptance and understanding of diverse sexual orientations in society.
