‘Late Blooming Lesbians’: The rise of middle-aged women coming out

Cases of high profile people like Portia de Rossi, Magda Szubanski, and Cynthia Nixon from Sex and the City telling the world ‘I’m gay’ aren’t just newsworthy because they’re exceptional – new research suggests these cases are a sign of a broader cultural trend.

Source: SBS

According to the North American menopause Society: “During the menopause transition, the physical effects of falling estrogen levels – including hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness – can undermine sexual motivation and drive.”

However, new research suggests that these hormonal changes in middle age can actually stimulate a heterosexual woman’s interest in exploring same-sex attraction. ‘Late blooming’ lesbians isn’t so much a case of women stepping out of the closet late in life, rather, women experience a sexual awakening in their middle age. 

Researchers have also said that cultural factors – like increasing social acceptance and greater visibility of lesbian women – could play a part in the rise of women self-identifying as bisexual or same-sex attracted in middle age.

Mothers often don’t start exploring their sexuality until their children have moved out of the family home. This could be a case of women holding off coming out because they don’t want to risk destabilising their family unit, but it may also be that women reimagine their self-of-self as an independent woman, rather than a primary caregiver.   

Tracie Oldham, 55: 'I felt something was missing.'

Source: SBS

 

Jenny Lonergan, late 50s: 'There were so many things I was embarrassed to say.'

Source: SBS

Hear more from Jenny and Tracy in the video at the top of the page.