I'm what you call a "late in life lesbian". I have been in relationships with men, for the most part, all of my life. Up until a few years ago I had no idea just how wrong that was for me.

I've known since I was a little girl that I was attracted to females. It was just a fact. I lived in a small town, my family had (and has) strong Southern Baptist and Methodist beliefs. We moved to a small city when I was in elementary school, and to the St. Louis area between my 7th and 8th grade years and stayed.

In high school I came out to my friends as bisexual. They were fine with it. This was in the 90's, and you couldn't expect to shout it from the rooftops without being looked at like you were crazy, made fun of, called a slut, etc... and so on. Ah, high school.

I went along in the expected trajectory. Boyfriends, engagements (at least three of them), and a marriage. When I was 27 I had my second child and by the time he was 6 months old, I was in my first serious lesbian relationship.


The majority of people will have trouble wrapping their heads around that as well as the fact that my husband knew. I was secure in defining myself as bisexual and had no qualms telling him that being with a woman outside of our relationship was a strong possibility. He married me knowing that.

Long story short, my partner and I have been together for over 5 years now. We didn't get here without difficulty, long discussions, tears, or drama. I can honestly say I've finally found myself with her.

I've been thinking about this over the past couple of months more and more because of this article. It's about a son coming out to his very Christian mother directly because of a controversial stand Single Dad Laughing took about what I have witnessed in my life: "I'm Christian Unless You're Gay". 

I think it's important for everyone to take a good, hard look at themselves, their faith, and their beliefs. I know not everyone agrees with me.

What I do know is this: The Southern Baptist family (my grandpa, great-grandpa, and great-great grandpa were all preachers and took the "no dancing" rule seriously) accepted my announcement and my partner with open arms and all the love they had in their hearts.

Read the two blog posts I've linked there and let me know what you think at Dysfunction Junction.