Coming Out Late In Life

Online Group for LGBTQ Questioning Women in GA and FL

Shift Happens.

This is a Coming Out Late in Life Group for Women questioning or coming to terms with their sexual orientation. Many women identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer, gay, pan-sexual or “no labels, please!” And many, understandably, delay coming out due to family, social and/or career implications. Still other women experience a true “shift” in their sexual orientation over time.

If you recognize yourself below, this group may be for you.

• I’m questioning my sexual orientation — again, or for the first time.
• I am curious about my sexual orientation and don’t know where to start.
• I’m divorcing my partner, in part or in whole, due to my sexual orientation.
• I need a safe and validating LGBTQ community of women to grow with.
• I want support and confidentiality while I navigate my coming out process.
• I’m open to exploring my sexuality in a safe, affirming, no agenda environment.

This long-running group (7 years) is facilitated by Melissa Lester, LCSW, a culturally competent and LGBTQQIIAA++ affirming women’s therapist and counselor. She is a founding member and former Vice President of The LGBTQ Therapist Resource and current ATLANTA PRIDE Coordinator.

Many women report that this group has been a “life saver” during murky, complex and difficult life transitions. This group is focused on safety, connection, community and giving you all the space and time that you need to navigate your own process with a lot of love and support. You are invited to join us, relax, learn, and benefit from the experience of other women. Chances are pretty good you will also make a new friend or two.

2022 Online LGBTQ+ Group Gathering Procedures

We meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays each month, 3:30 – 5:00 pm. In November and December, we meet only once. Dates are listed below and do vary slightly to accommodate holiday weekends throughout the year.

I send out group invitations via HIPAA compliant, encrypted email by 12 noon on the day of our meetings. Simply respond to your invitation email with “Attend Group” in the subject line. You will receive your individual, one-time, HIPAA compliant link to the meeting before Group starts at 3:30 pm. Please always check your Spam and Junk folders for the link.

We meet via HIPAA compliant Secure Video/Zoom. You must RSVP to the invitation email prior to 3 pm on the day of each meeting. Each link is private and individual and sent only to you at the email address you have provided.

There is a (new) fee of $25.00 for attendance at this group. If this cost is prohibitive for you, please reach out to me via email. No one is turned away due to finances.

After an initial phone consultation, which can be scheduled via email, you are welcome to attend group anytime we meet.

A Note About Email Privacy: HIPAA compliance and encryption is guaranteed at my end of our communication by Hushmail. Your email host and settings will affect the level of privacy you have at your end.

2022 Meeting Dates — Saturdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm ET

Always check this website for last-minute date changes (due to weather or other emergencies).

• January 8 & 22
• February 12 & 26
• March 12 & 26
• April 9 & 23
• May 14 & 28
• June 11 & 25
• July 9 & 23
• August 13 & 27
• September 10 & 24
• October 22 (Please note October 8th is cancelled due to ATLANTA PRIDE.)
• November 19 (Please note November 12th is changed to November 19th.)
• December 10

For more information about this Coming Out Late in Life Group for Women, please contact me via HIPAA compliant encrypted email.