Meet Anne-Marie Zanzal

Coming Out Coach & Chief Joyologist, Lesbian, Ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ, Mom, and Partner

 

Meet Anne-Marie

Why She Became a CoAch & chief joyologist

Key Areas & Topics

Vision & Mission & Core Values

Get to Know Anne-Marie

I came out later in life as a lesbian. My background is in group work, training in the healthcare system, hospital and hospice chaplain, and as an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Through my journey and experiences of coming out, getting divorced, and searching for support I saw grief and pain, as well as joyous awakenings and new self-discoveries. It can be confusing to hold these dichotomies as well as seek support solely from heterosexual sources. I realized there was a need for support, particularly for people coming out later in life,.

Through my training in chaplaincy I have a deep understanding of a wide variety of religious and spiritual practices. It has helped me bring an open-minded approach to faith and spirituality so that I can create and hold space for those who are questioning their sexuality and their faith.  I also a Compassionate Bereavement Provider certified through the MISS Foundation.

In 2018 I started later in life mutual support groups. This is a place for people to come together on a weekly basis to process and obtain both the resources and support to navigate this unique later in life experience. I am very proud to say these groups became known as a place to find community, safety, open conversation and laughter about the journey of coming out or just questioning and being part of the later-in-life LGBTQIA+ community.

As these support groups grew, members began to ask about one-on-one coaching, so I expanded my services to provide individual coaching alongside the support groups. The intimacy of one-on-one coaching allows for conversations hard to have in a group and delving deeply into more personal experiences.

My goal is to provide compassionate support to makes the process of coming out less isolating, or provide clarity to the questioning and even someone to share the joy of newfound authenticity.  I work to hold space to process all aspects of your identity including your sexuality and your spirituality.  I seek through coaching and groups to empower my clients to find courage to authentically and boldly discover who they truly are.

Why Did She Become a Coming Out Coach & chief joyologist?

After going through this process myself, along the way I met many people who didn’t have the support or resources they needed, even with a therapist.

Having someone who understands what it is like to be married to a man, have children, divorce, come out, and find partner makes all the difference. I have the ability to hold the space for people while they question, explore, and discover their sexuality identity.

Coming out is hard enough as it is, and I know that if I would have had a coach who was willing to coach the way I do, it would have made my journey a lot easier in the long run.

 

Key Areas & Topics Anne-Marie Focuses On

Authenticity

Living an authentic life is a life that takes courage, vulnerability, and we as individuals define what it means to be authentically ourselves. Authenticity is the key to acceptance and even love, this begins with ourselves, in our time together, you will have the space to explore, and discover what it means for you to live authentically, based on your terms and your own process.

Later in Life

People who come out later in life sometimes have a harder time accepting and embracing their sexuality. I struggled to find all the resources I needed, and I realized that those who were searching for answers later needed a safe space to learn, grow, and discover as much as someone who comes out as a teenager. For many people I work with, I empower them to find their first queer community, and a new place to connect with other people who are LGBT+. 

Spirituality

I come from a strong background of faith and spiritual beliefs, which made coming out challenging in a whole new aspect. I believe that more than ever people who come from a religious background need the ability to heal from spiritual trauma as part of coming out. In the spaces I provide we explore, discover, and have open ended conversations to discover spirituality on an individual level. My goal is to hold space for you to find what works for you, you get to determine how much or how little you keep. Ultimately, I’m here for you to have what you need to have a spirituality that affirms YOU, all of you!

Coming Out

I work with a variety of people, people who are questioning their sexuality, people who are in the process of getting divorced, or they are just barely out and looking for a community. It is a process that looks a little different for everyone and no one should have to walk the path alone.

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My Vision

Coming out later in life is sometimes a difficult process, and facing it alone can make it even harder. It can also be a joyous awakening to a different life that is just unfamiliar. It takes courage, resilience, and a daily stand to authentically be ourselves. I provide affirming support for people in the LGBTQIA+ community so they have a safe space to explore, discover and find their authentic voice.  The programs are designed to give my clients the tools and resources to authentically stand proud of who they are through the process from questioning sexuality to coming out. 

My goal is that by providing quality support from within the LGBTQIA+ community, so that we create a more accepting, loving, and welcoming environment that helps people have the best life possible right from the start of their journey.

Mission

Living openly as a lesbian, bi, queer or trans adds a whole other level of  to our lived experience, particularly when we question our sexuality or come out later in life. 

I seek to resolve the shame that sometimes exists in the queer community. We deserve to live in a world that honors all LGBTQIA+ people and our experiences no matter where we are on the spectrum. 

This includes respecting those in our community who have children with a straight partner, have been single for the majority of their lives, people realizing their sexuality later in life, being married to a straight spouse, those in mixed-orientation marriages, amongst other unique challenges that are prevalent for people who come out later in life.

My Core Values

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Presence

I will meet you wherever you are on your journey and provide compassion and empathy.

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Discernment

I will help you to clarify answers to the questions you have in your heart and soul.

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No Judgement

Our stories are unique and I provide a sacred space for you to share yours.

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Agendaless

My role as a coming out coach & chief joyologist is to provide support for you in your journey for you to make the best decisions for your life.

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