And now, too often, they’re invisible. Here’s the strange thing: in queer spaces, youth is celebrated. On dating apps, in gay bars, on TikTok—the spotlight skews young. And in straight spaces, old lesbians face double erasure. Ageism from one side. Homophobia (or, more gently, “discomfort”) from the other. Walk into a typical senior center holding another woman’s hand, and you’ll still get stares.
We see you. We thank you. And we promise to pass it on. old lesbians
Let’s talk about old lesbians.
Here’s a blog post written with warmth, respect, and a touch of humor—honoring the resilience, visibility, and wisdom of older lesbians. In Plain Sight: Celebrating the Power, Wisdom, and Resilience of Old Lesbians And now, too often, they’re invisible
There’s a photo I keep coming back to. It’s from the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. In the foreground, a woman with silver-streaked hair and a denim jacket stands holding a hand-painted sign that reads: “Old Lesbians: We Are Everywhere.” And in straight spaces, old lesbians face double erasure
So here’s to the old lesbians. The ones with crew cuts and walkers. The ones in matching flannel with their partners of 40 years. The ones still going to protests, still planting tomatoes, still flirting at the farmer’s market.
They survived the closet, the silence, and the erasure. Now, they’re finally getting their flowers.