When Suzette Mullen came out as a lesbian at the age of 54, she had been married for over 20 years and had two adult sons. Feeling conflicted about her feelings for her best friend, she turned to the internet for guidance. Searching for terms like “late in life and coming out” and “How to know if you are gay?” led her to online communities where she found support and validation.
In these online spaces, Ms. Mullen discovered a new language to describe her experience as a late-in-life lesbian (LILLE). She also learned about concepts like being in a mixed-orientation marriage (MOM) and the role of a catalyst in awakening one’s lesbian identity. These communities provided her with the tools and support she needed to navigate her divorce and embrace her new identity.
For many women like Ms. Mullen, social media and websites have become valuable resources for coming out later in life or after marriages to men. These online communities offer a sense of belonging and understanding that may be lacking in offline spaces. By connecting with others who share similar experiences, women can find the support they need to embrace their identities and live authentically.
The internet has created a space for late-in-life lesbians to connect with each other, share their stories, and find acceptance. Through online communities, women like Ms. Mullen can find the support and validation they need to navigate the complexities of coming out later in life. These digital spaces have become a lifeline for many women as they embrace their identities and find community online.