by Reina Gattuso THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY REINA GATTUSO. REINA IS A FEMINIST JOURNALIST WHO COVERS FOOD, SEX, AND POLITICS. As we celebrate Pride this month, Swell is delving into the joys and struggles of living a queer life in America. Below, advice on how to...
There’s a misconception in the heterosexual world that coming out as a member of the LGBT+ community is easier than it was in the past and every gay person in the world has it all figured out by the time they reach their teenage years. Most people in the LGBT+ world...
Although there are similarities in the later in life journey, we all come to this place from many different experiences and perspectives. In this short piece I will explore the more common themes I have witnessed over the last several years. Some of us...
I had a major life transition - actually several - over the past four years. These include a divorce from my spouse of twenty-seven years; coming out as a lesbian at fifty; leaving a long held job; moving from my hometown (twice); starting a new life in ...
I moved a couple of years ago after I came out. A confluence of reasons and events brought me to this decision. I still return to the town I lived as a straight married woman from time to time. I have been out for several years now and my hearing has changed....
It’s like a dam and the walls have been duct-taped together for so many years. It was taking so much energy to pretend the dam was supposed to be there, that it was keeping me safe, when really it was just keeping this essential life force away from a thirsty...
The first time I noticed my attraction for another woman I was 19 years old. She was a beautiful blonde I met at a bar and it was 1984. A rush of feelings came over me that I had previously never felt. I noticed the same feeling again with an old...
For some people to come out? I came out later in life and this is very curious to some people. Early out gay people, and straight people as well, pepper me with questions of curiosity. Did you know? When? Why did you wait? Inevitably gay...
My partner, Tonda McKay, is a professional photographer and I went with her to a shoot as her assistant. I had the opportunity to roam around the new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a truly visually pleasing gem of a...
Grief As a society, and many of us personally, are terrified by this word. This word is the purveyor of the difficult emotions. A mentor once told me there are only four emotions in this world mad, bad, sad and glad. I would add a...
It was February and two months before I had left the home I shared with my husband of 27 years. I had made arrangements to house-sit to save some money and to have a place that I could call my own for a couple of months before I would make a decision about my...
My name is Anne-Marie. I am in my fifties and like all of us I have many roles in this life. I am a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, ex-wife, partner, minister, chaplain, colleague and yogi. I am also a newly out lesbian and proud...