Choosing Authenticity Over Comfort: Divorce and LGBTQ+ Life with Quincy Tessaverne

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Quincy Tessaverne about her powerful journey of coming out with her sexuality after 16 years of marriage. Quincy opens up about the evolution of her self-awareness, navigating family and community responses to her transition, and how the experience shaped her identity as a parent, partner, and person.About the Guest:Quincy Tessaverne is a writer, entrepreneur, and podcast host living in Los Angeles. With a background that spans parenting, advocacy, creative projects, and LGBTQ+ community building, Quincy brings humor, honesty, and insight to conversations about identity, relationships, loss, and growth. She is the founder of the new podcast Cocoon After Dark, dedicated to sharing real stories from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, especially from a Gen X female perspective.Main Topics Covered:Discovering and understanding sexuality in a conservative 1980s environmentThe experience and challenges of coming out after a long, “traditional” marriageMaintaining a supportive co-parenting and friendship dynamic post-divorceThe societal and family impacts of coming out, including community rejection and finding new belongingSupporting children through family transitions and honoring authentic parentingThe importance of representation and storytelling for the LGBTQ+ communityLaunching Cocoon After Dark: why sharing diverse stories mattersQuote from the Episode:“It’s important because while so many people are trying to shed labels, I think it’s still important, because it’s still not accepted in so many parts of this country and this world… To see people, regular, normal people—your neighbors, your friends, classmates, parents… LGBTQ people are around you and have just as normal lives as you do. We just love different people than you love.”—Quincy TessaverneTimestamps:[00:00:05] Quincy’s favorite way to transition to downtime[00:01:52] Early awareness of sexuality & formative experiences[00:06:36] Navigating changing friendships and family norms in the 1980s[00:09:59] Marriage, honesty with a partner, and why she chose not to “play both sides”[00:13:24] The turning point and emotional aspects of coming out[00:21:25] Impact on daily life, family, and loss of friend group—finding community[00:27:07] The crucial role of chosen family and supporting children[00:34:36] Why representation and sharing LGBTQ+ stories still matters[00:39:03] Launching Cocoon After Dark & how to tune in[00:43:16] Fun questions—favorite books, sunsets, and musicConnect with the Guest:Instagram: @cocoonafterdarkPodcast: Cocoon After Dark https://cocoonafterdark.buzzsprout.com/ Special Offer from the Guest: Be among the first to listen to Cocoon After Dark and share your story! If you are an LGBTQ+ or BIPOC person interested in being interviewed, mention “TAOIA” in your application for priority consideration during the first season (offer valid through December 2025).Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportNever Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors