This podcast is threatening to the lgbtq community as Alli & Melissa reinforce cis-Hetero, norms through a white capitalistic patriarchal lens. Weekly Alli & Melissa discuss and joke about essentially using ‘ catalysts’, or lesbians who have been out, and then discarding them after their needs weren’t met. This problematic behavior reads toxic straight community, and gives lesbian’s who came out later in life a bad name. Alli & Melissa’s gatekeeping is disheartening, and especially within an already marginalized community. This podcast could do, and should do a lot more for the community, not just take from it. Be forewarned not everyone is welcomed on this podcast. Unfollowed.

I question the premise of lesbian 50 shades equivalence. For lesbian romance/erotica recommendations you should probably read The Lesbian Review or pay attention to the annual Lambda literary awards. The assumption that all lesbian erotica/romance (except Sarah Waters who actually writes lesbian historical fiction) is trashy (I avidly listen to any lesbian romance read by Abby Craden) is clearly a problem and probably homophobic. You probably won’t read The Lesbian Review or pay attention to the annual Lambda literary awards. How could you even know about such resources since you seem to think you belong to some unique LGBTQ group? We’ve all been there and at some point most of us embraced the diversity of our queer nation if only to give up our internalized homophobia. And the fact that you’re looking for a lesbian 50 Shades is absurd, a best seller, but well written? My lesbian romance/erotica recommendations: Any book by Harper Bliss, particularly the series “French Kissing.” Any book by Lee Winter; EJ Noyes “Loyalty” series. KE Lane “And Playing the Role of Herself;” JE Leak “Shadow” series. Lynn Ames “46.” I haven’t even mentioned the lesbian romance greats: Gerri Hill, Radclyffe, Jae, Georgia Beers, Melissa Brandon, among many others, but I’m sure you’d find them trashy as if 50 shades isn’t. Some of us came out of the womb waving the rainbow 🌈 flag. We marched on Washington to demand our civil rights; we reclaimed the word queer for our queer nation; we acted up for AIDS relief; we went to law school and changed the law for equal marriage. What’s the point of claiming an LGBTQ identity unless we can also embrace our diverse community?

Seriously, please fix the imbalance. Alli is so loud it hurts. Melissa is so quiet and I turn up volume to be able to hear her and then Alli interrupts and shatters my eardrum. I want to keep listening but I don’t know if I’ll be able to unless it’s fixed. Also, Alli has referred to bisexual women wanting to be with women as cheating several times. It’s so offensive. I am a (married to a man) bisexual woman who has never been with a woman and I listen to this podcast to feel validated, not attacked. As Melisa pointed out to Alli, a lot of women who identify as bisexual are on their journey to finding out if they are, in fact, lesbian. Comphet is real. Also, the “catalyst” term all the time is grating. I do enjoy the show other than those things. Thank you for creating interesting, relatable content.

I absolutely love this podcast. It has helped me so much through my journey. Though, I don’t listen as often as I’d like because the sound quality is often bad. Most of the time one person is quiet or echoes while another is loud. So you can’t hear one person and the other is loud in your ear. It’s really important to fix that.

This podcast used to have topics relevant to coming out late but lately it’s just two friends chatting about random topics. Huh.

As a person who came out at 21 I don’t have a whole lot of interest in some topics. But I enjoy hearing queer perspectives on aging. This episode in particular felt helpful. I wish they would do a follow up ie menopause part 2. I’ve never heard a gay/queer led discussion on Peri menopause and menopause. And I would like to hear more. Good to have company, thanks.

I want to just tell you that I so enjoy your show. You two are so good together and you also bring on such informative guests.

You guys started this podcast at the same time I was coming out after being married for 20 years. Just hearing you both talk about it, helped me more than you can possibly comprehend. Thank you for putting a voice to my thoughts and feelings. Thank you for making me feel like I’m not so alone!

The Pride episode was offensive and irresponsible to broadcast. Ali seems to place her heteronormative views on the gay community. Had to stop listening. Also…the catalyst term 🤯.

Is this on purpose? It drives me crazy. I like the content, but who’s uploading your recordings?

I have listened to this podcast since episode 37 or 38, so I have been listening for a long time and although I really enjoy the episodes, the topics but Alli NEEDS to stop interrupting people, she’s gotta stop. People are mid sentence telling a story or a something and she ALWAYS interrupts to say anything she can relate to the story and then people lose their train of thought and then the conversations shifts because then she starts talking about something different. Also… her catalyst; can she call her something different because if I hear the word catalyst one more time, I’m gonna stop listening lol This is an amazing podcast, so many relatable topics and the ocasional guest but Alli, please please be more aware… hold that thought until people have finished their sentence or story.

This podcast is so relatable and I’m so thankful for find it, I just came out a couple of months ago as a late bloomer lesbian.

Thank you guys for this. Helping me navigate this new thing in my life. I love your insight, your witt, your information!!

I’m so grateful for this podcast, I’ve listened to at least half of the episodes at this point. Melisa & Alli really helped give me the courage to come out to my long term boyfriend. The topics they discuss are really great usually. However after listening to so many episodes, there are a few things that have started grating on my nerves: 1. If Alli says “the price of admission is high” or “I crave safety so much” one more time! 2. It’s super annoying the way they name the episodes bc when I add them to my playlist, I think that’s what they’re gonna talk about. But like 8/10 times they talk about that topic for 5 minutes of a 35 min episode and the rest is just rambling about hanging towel racks or the new hot tub they got, or whatever stuff that has nothing to do with anything. 3. There’s about 2 years worth of episodes and A LOT of episodes & topics are essentially the same

This show has been EVERYTHING, I can’t thank you both enough for putting this podcast out there! Thank you!

I just discovered this podcast, this week and feel like I found my people!! Just “came out” of a 14 yr marriage last year and everything y’all talk about is EXACTLY what I’m feeling. This podcast is a gift. Thank you💜

These girls… I mean women ;) are like old friends. Thank you for sharing your stories and I always know I’ll have a good laugh. Love the guests you bring on because they are real and unique. Dr. Jamie rocks too! I’ve been married for 13 years and 3 months ago came out to my husband. Still working on what to do next but it really helps to see how any approach is possible and that I can still be successful as coparents and friends with my husband, even after divorce someday. Cheers to a future of being free to be who we are and love who we love ❤️

As a late in lifer with a young son, it’s been super invaluable hearing you all share your truth (and the guests you have on). Your reflections from the community lesbians you are part of is really great addition as well. Your podcast is helping me get to the next phase of my journey. Thank you for creating such an honest and brave space!!

So helpful and inspiring ❤️

I love everything about this podcast. I have been listening for a while, but Alli and Melisa are right, if you’re just discovering this gem, a good place to start is episode 63, when Alissa joined as a producer and contributer. Audio is amazing now. Thank you for bringing your stories and those of your guests to my car weekly. I could not admire and appreciate these women more. 🥰

Love this PC. I’ve been binge-listening!

Just found this podcast and it’s been great listening to stories similar to mine, told in a fun, loving way. Thank you!!

I’m almost 45 and in the process of coming out. Someone recommended this podcast to me and I’m so thankful they did! ❤️

Have y’all told the story about your catalyst?!

I’ve been searching for websites, books, and now podcasts about this and haven’t found much. I finally feel like I’m home. I’ve found my people. Married 20 years, 3 kids, finally out at 51. This podcast makes me feel validated, and heard.

I LOVE this podcast. Great variety of topics, very raw, hilarious, and life changing. I’ve started to listen to episodes over and over. Keep it up!

I already like Lesbian Chronicles! They are chill and so easy to listen. It’s like just listening in on friends talking- smart, funny friends who are willing to be open and vulnerable. And now there is a third friend and it’s super good. And then last week there was a guest and it was an amazing show! So interesting. Check it out! Thank you Melisa and Alli. Appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving

This content is really helpful and relatable, but Ali (and also Melisa) please stop saying the word “right” after EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE IN EVERY EPISODE. It’s so hard to listen to.

3 days ago I found this podcast and been on it everyday. Extremely relatable. Keep it up!!!!!

I’ve been listening for some time now and the podcast just keeps getting better and better. There are probably early episodes where you said things you now wouldn’t say, but that just shows your journey and growth. (The “not dating a woman who doesn’t paint her nails” comes to mind. Lol.) For a 63 year old lesbian who has been out for decades, it’s really fun to be a part of your learning process (like watching a two year old discover dirt!) For people actually *going* through this very painful process of coming out when you have so much to lose, your podcast is invaluable. I’m also enjoying the newest voice. She does bring a bit of “out for awhile” wisdom - at the same time never shaming or mocking your process or acting like she has “been there, done that”. All around, great!

This podcast will be a life saver for any woman who is in the difficult position of coming out late in life, especially if there is s family involved. We as Gen X / 1st Gen Millennials, have done an amazing job creating a safe space for Gen Z to live a life of authenticity and in there truth. However, many of us were not raised in that space and need to be given permission to be who we truly are💜💜💜. Well done Melisa & Alli

Love the new intro music!!!!

I LOVE your new intro!!! Keep up the good work!

Oh my! I have needed this for over two years. Same story. Same story. Who needs counseling I have this!

I’m only a few minutes into your first episode but I’m on cloud nine feeling like I belong. It’s so nice to hear words put to what I’ve been going through the last 4 years. You can feel very alone in a process like this, but this is where I’ll be the next few weeks just listening and feeling less on the outside. Thank you for this.

Hi Melisa and Alli, I just discovered you ladies about 2 weeks ago and I’m loving the shows. I love how you both our so open and honest about your lives, and your both so Funny especially Melisa some of the things she says have me rollin with laughter. The shows our poppin, keep up the great work ladies😘 Mixeybank

Been listening for a while now and I’m still not out to my family but your podcast helps me so much i look forward to and enjoy every episode so thank you 😊

Finding out that your walk is not so insane...feeling alone and finding out you are not.🙌🏼 these women are open, honest, sincere, encouraging and extremely funny!!!

I love this podcast. You are the voice inside my head and the timing couldn't be more perfect than what is happening in my life right now. I can relate to most everything you two talk about.

This podcast is so amazing and exactly what I needed right now! These women are real and vulnerable and so relatable. They are really helping me to find myself, accept who I am, and be brave enough to speak my own truth.

These ladies know what’s up. Raw, authentic, open and vulnerable sharing that paints a realistic picture of this (challenging) process. Best podcast out there related to this subject, hands down!

These ladies have normalized coming out later in life. I listen every week.

This is one of my favorite podcasts. It doesn’t have a fancy intro song or a ton of ads.. It’s just two hardworking moms sharing their journey and being real about what it means to come out and find themselves again all while balancing work, family, and relationships. I listen to a lot of podcasts.. lesbian, finance, minimalist, etc. I honestly look forward to this one more than any other! I hope it’s around for many years to come! ❤️

This podcast is an oasis in a desert <3

Stumbled across this podcast and it is truly exceptional. Keep up the great work- very inspirational.

My girlfriend is newly out of a straight marriage and we have been listening together. A lot of good issues are covered but it would be great if Ali could stop screaming into the mic. Makes it really hard to want to keep listening.

Great and relatable for us Lilly’s. But the hosts have got to stop saying “right right”. It’s grating.

I am not gay but heard from a gay friend that this is good. They address relationships with exes and how they manage life and have some good advice (in a conversational and funny format) they is good for anyone.

This podcast has been everything I’ve needed to hear as I struggle with being true to myself and maybe being gay. Thank you.