Coming Out in the 1970s: Third Grade Crushes, Mothers and Gay Bars (Sue Tells All!)

Welcome to a very special Pride edition of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women! In this solo episode, host Sue Willoughby takes the mic to share her personal, hilarious, and heartwarming coming out story from the 1970s.

Long before the era of dating apps and smartphones, Sue opens up about knowing she was queer early on...thanks to some wicked crushes on her third-grade teacher and favorite babysitters. She shares the ultimate "old school" dating experience of placing a "Women Seeking Women" personal ad in an alternative newspaper at age 16 and receiving Polaroid photos in the mail via a secret P.O. Box.

The episode takes a beautiful and comedic twist when Sue recounts coming out to her mother. While cutting her hair, Sue confessed her truth, only to have her mother respond, "I'm queer too!". From surviving the mortification of her mom hanging out at the gay bars where Sue worked to acknowledging the very real struggles many people face when coming out to unsupportive families, Sue covers it all.

If you are coming out later in life, this episode is your reminder to do your heart a solid and live as your authentic self. Better late than never!

In this episode, we cover:

• How Sue realized she was queer early on, including going to extreme lengths to get the attention of her babysitters.

• The reality of trying to meet other queer women in the 1970s using classified ads and P.O. Boxes.

• The wild story of Sue and her mother having a mutual coming out moment.

• A heartfelt message of solidarity for those who experienced a difficult coming out or rejection from their parents.

• Why it is never too late to come out, embrace your truth, and find a supportive chosen family.

Call to Action & Resources:

• I want to hear YOUR coming out stories! It is not too late to share your journey on the show.

• Send me a DM on Instagram 
  

Are you Pod Curious? Check out my new audio course -  "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel! 
👉🏻https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course👈🏻

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🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥

I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.

This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.

Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.

👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.