Coming Out & Beyond

Anne-Marie Zanzal

Anne-Marie Zanzal, M.Div is the creator and host of Coming Out & Beyond | LGBTQIA+ Stories. She deeply believes that in the hearing of another’s story we can often here our own. Her podcast focuses on sharing the coming out stories of the Queer community, with an emphasis on folks who have come out later in life. Later in life is a subjective term and her guests range in ages 25-80+. Coming out stories is what connect everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. These stories are compelling, heartbreaking and inspirational. But this podcast does not stop there. Straight media focuses so much on the coming out part, they often miss the “Beyond.” Anne-Marie’s guests have created lives of creativity, joy, authenticity and services to their fellow humans.

She started this podcast because she felt the need to normalize exploration of sexuality/gender at all ages, plus visibility is vital to the LGBTQIA+ community. It is never too late to be who we were created to be. Her guests prove that.

Anne-Marie is a graduate of Yale Divinity School, an ordained minister in the progressive United Church of Christ, bereavement counselor, a coming out and divorce coach, conversationalist, spiritual wanderer, later-in-life lesbian, change maker, blogger, author, a northerner living in the south and trying to figure it all out.

Anne-Marie has been featured in print and digital publications including Oprah Magazine, New York Times, BBC, CBC and iNews. She has appeared on numerous podcasts including Two Bottles Deep, Life (Un) Closeted, The Love Fix, Virgin Beauty Bitch, The Late Life Lesbian (YouTube), and many more. You can learn more about Anne-Marie at www.annemariezanzal.com.

Episode

📌🎙️Support The Tennessee Equality Project

Want to help us make positive change for LGBTQ individuals in Tennessee? Visit https://podcasthon.org/podcaster/coming-out-beyond to find the link to make a donation today! You can learn more about The Tennessee Equality Project at https://www.tnep.org/

🌈 It’s Podcasthon 2025! What does that mean? This week’s show is part of a larger initiative by podcasters everywhere to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes. This week’s show is in support of The Tennessee Equality Project, an organization dedicated to legislative advocacy for LGBTQ rights in the Tennessee General Assembly and local governments around the state. The Tennessee Equality Project ensures that LGBTQ voices are heard by federal officials, taking a stand on important issues that impact the lives of LGBTQ Tennessee residents. Our guest this week is Chris Sanders, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Equality Project. Chris and Anne-Marie discuss the importance of LGBTQ advocacy, personal coming out stories, and the intersection of faith and sexuality.

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

⚖️Chris shares insights on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Tennessee, the role of advocacy in creating change, and the significance of community support

🧠Anne-Marie and Chris touch on the importance of critical thinking and the need for trust in collaborative efforts for advocacy.

👥There is an emphasis on building trust, showing up consistently and leaning into community for effective advocacy.

✨ Why This Matters:

We are more effective in our advocacy when we understand the legislative landscape, build trust in our community of support and show up consistently in advocacy efforts

💬 Join the Conversation:

Are you a member of the LGBTQ community living in Tennessee? Or maybe you’re an advocate for LGBTQ rights in another state and have some wisdom to share? Tell us about it in the comments!

🔗 Visit our website:

Anne-Marie’s : [ annemariezanzal.com]

🔗 Follow us on social media:

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Coming Out & Beyond

34 min

🏳️‍🌈⚖️Standing Up For Equality in TN with Chris Sanders #Podcasthon

Tennesse Equality Project

The charity and its cause

Tennesse Equality Project

The Tennessee Equality Project advocates for the equal rights of LGBTQ people in Tennessee. We do this through legislative advocacy. That means we lobby the Tennessee General Assembly and local governments around the state. When there is an important federal issue, like bills that include anti-LGBTQ adoption language, we help you make your voice heard with your federal officials.

Visit the website Make a donation