In this episode we talk with retired Navy captain Eric Kearsley about his personal journey and the unique way he and his wife dealt with the fact that he is gay. Even though Kearsley "came out" publicly 15 years ago, he remains in a committed relationship with his wife. His story is an important reminder that there is no "one size fits all" way to come out LGBT+ Later in Life. Helpful Links: GAMMA: a website for gay/bi married men Husbands Out to Wives Making Mixed Orientation Marriages...

This month we have an unusual guest, Kristin Kalbli from the Straight Spouse Network Podcast. Kristin shares her own personal story and introduces us to the Straight Spouse Network, which has actually existed for 30 years. Our conversation gave me an entirely new perspective. No matter where you are in your journey I know you will find this conversation enlightening. Links and References: Straight Spouse Network Voices Podcast The Lie: A Memoir of Two Marriages, Catfishing & Coming Out...

This episode is an interview with Jax Wheatley from Portland, OR. Jax shares their double coming out story, which included coming out as Lesbian in their forties before transitioning to male in their 50's. I know you will appreciate this story of courage and resilience. Announcements: Please complete a brief audience survey. Send email to [email protected] or post voice feedback at http://speakpipe.com/docartemis. You can now support Graying Rainbows via Patreon at...

This episode of Graying Rainbows is an interview with Shelly Johnson of the podcast Latter Day Lesbians. In her podcast she shares her story and helps many other listeners who are struggling with being LGBT+ in the context of a very conservative religious community.

This episode is a discussion of Lesbian Epiphanies: Women Coming Out in Later Life by Karol L. Jensen. We explore the question of why so many women do not discover their attraction to other women until after marriage. Jensen's book was published 20 years ago, but many of the cultural factors she identified remain powerful in women's lives.

This is an interview with Arlene Stein, author of "Unbound: Transgender Men and the Remaking of Identity." Stein explores the changing landscape of gender identity via the stories of four young people who underwent TOP surgery on the same day. The diversity of their stories may challenge your stereotypes.

This episode of Graying Rainbows is a little different because Dr. Loren Olson's daughter Dr. Whitney Carlson tells us about what it was like when he came out when she was younger. I know many of you struggle with talking with children of all ages and I hope her perspective will be helpful.

I talk with Andrea Hewitt of the popular blog "A Late in Life Lesbian Story." She share her personal story and how her blog led to a vibrant community on Facebook. (You have to listen if you want to learn how to join!) She also tells us about her newest project, which is called "Coming Out Better."

This is an in interview with Dr. Ikeranda Smith who teaches psychology at Atlanta Technical college and has a thriving practice as a professional coach, focusing on helping LGBT+ clients meet the challenges of coming out and beyond.

This episode of Graying Rainbows is an interview with Mark David Gibson, author of Served in Silence: The Struggle to Live Authentically. We discuss the challenges of serving in the Air Force during "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and his consequent challenges with alcoholism. Gibson also shares how writing his memoir was an important part of his healing process.

Deb Fowler shares her story and tells us about History Unerased, a project that creates teaching materials about LGBT+ history. She explains why knowledge of this history is not just important to people who identify as LGBT+, but how it helps young people from all backgrounds.

In this episode of Graying Rainbows, listener Midge Noble graciously shares her story of coming out later in life with an emphasis on the challenges of reconciling her Christian faith with being a Lesbian.

In this episode of Graying Rainbows I talk with Cassandra Contave and Aisha Bonner-Cozad, two researchers who are spearheading research into LGBT+ aging at the AARP. This includes their landmark Maintaining Dignity Study, which highlighted some of the unique challenges facing LGBT+ elders. Besides social isolation many fear discrimination in housing and healthcare. Since the AARP is the largest advocacy group for American Elders their role in advocating for LGBT+ elders is essential.

This episode is an interview with Anne-Marie Zanzal. Anne-Marie is an ordained minister, experienced hospital and hospice chaplain, and a mother of four. She shares her later in life coming out journey and we explore how faith can be an obstacle on this path. Anne-Marie now works with other women who are coming out LGBT+ Later in Life and she is available for both individual and group counseling.

This episode features Sherrill Wayland, Director of National Programs for SAGE USA, a key advocacy group that works to improve conditions for LGBT+ elders. Problems of concern include social isolation and access to housing and healthcare. We also talk about  the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, which provides resources for both elders and their care givers.

This episode features writer and podcaster Eric Marcus from Making Gay History, which is a unique podcast because it features audio from original Marcus recordings did back in 1989. These recording formed the basis of his highly respected oral history Making Gay History: The Half Century Fight for Lesbian and Gay Equal Rights. However, even if you have read the book you won't want to miss hearing the voices of these LGBT+ pioneers.

This episode is an interview with my friend Jody Cole, founder of Wild Rainbow African Safaris. We first met back in 2013 when a fan of my Brain Science podcast invited me to go on safari in South Africa. Jody was the only American guide and it turned out she has her own company Wild Rainbow African Safaris. In this episodes she shares both her coming out story, how she made peace with her father after many years, and why she has passion for taking people on safari in sub-Saharan Africa.

GR 15: In this episode Dr. Ginger Campbell explores the pros and cons of coming out LGBT+ at this particular moment in history. We consider the unique challenges facing those who are coming out "Later in Life" along with the unique opportunities this choice represents. The decision to come out is both personal and political, but Dr. Campbell argues that coming out at this particular time includes taking a stand against hatred and bigotry.

GR 14: Historian Lillian Faderman shares some highlights from her latest book "Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death." Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office, but unfortunately he was assassinated in 1978, after less than a year in office. We discuss some of the highlights of his short career and explore why many consider him the Martin Luther King of the fight for LGBT Civil Rights.

This is an interview with Warren Blumenfeld, veteran of the early fight for LGBT rights and author of "The What, the So What, and the Now What of Social Justice Education" and other books about social justice.

This is an interview with respected historian Susan Stryker, author of "Transgender History." Her book is very highly regarded and brings a valuable perspective to an aspect of LGBT+ history that has been largely invisible.

This is an interview with Wes Enos, founder and Executive Director of The Generations Project, a non-profit that nurtures community via LIVE intergenerational storytelling events.

This is an interview with writer Carren Strock. We talk about her books "Married Women Who Love Women" and "Tangled Ribbons." Carren shares her unique story that includes remaining married for many years despite discovering her own love of women.

This episode of Graying Rainbows is an interview with Rhodes Perry, author of Belonging At Work: Everyday Actions You Can Take to Cultivate an Inclusive Organization. Human beings are wired to be social, which means feeling like we belong is actually essential to our physical and emotional health. In this interview we discuss some of the obstacles to "Belonging at Work" and practical steps toward improvement.

In episode 8 of Graying Rainbows I talk with Nicole Rennix, who is a therapist in Napa Valley, California. Her personal story reminds us that coming out is always an ongoing process that begins with self-acceptance. I also talk briefly about my long-running podcast Brain Science and reflect on the different challenge of trying to build a Graying Rainbows community.