Though I'd known since I was 12 that I liked girls, I dated men and came quite close to marriage before I came out to myself and my family. I grew up in a fairly religious, Christian black family, and it was definitely not "ok to be gay" in that setting. My parents always made jokes about gay people, growing up I remember my mom having friends who, behind their backs, she would say, "Oh, he's fruity." She even told me to stop being friends with a girl who I'd known since birth because, at 11, she was clearly a lesbian (out and proud). Keep reading Cynthia's Coming Out Story...

Do you have a good story to tell? Send me your coming out story!
_{© Image by Michal Zacharzewski, SXC}

I am 23 and very attracted to older women. I have been attracted to women older than me since I was 14. The women I am interested in are between 20 and 35 years older than myself. It had been practically impossible to find any research at all that indicates that this type of love exists outside of my imagination. Do they exist and can they last?
Lesbian Cub

Dear Cub,
Yes age differences happen and yes they can work. Like any relationship, there will be challenges, but that does not mean they can't be overcome. Heck, if you think about it, two of our most famous lesbian couples have significant age differences: Ellen & Portia and Tammy & Melissa Etheridge. So, can they work? Yes! Learn more about successful lesbian relationships when age difference is a factor.
_{© Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images}

One of the things I love most about weddings, gay and straight, is when the couple reads the wedding vows to one another. My sentimental brother cried when reading his vows to his bride and I think that brought most of the attendees to tears too. Another time at a friend's wedding, she started laughing so hard that she had to stop, take a few deep breaths and then finish. Your wedding vows can be the most personal and moving part of your lesbian wedding ceremony. Here are some tips for writing your own lesbian wedding vows.

Here are some sample lesbian wedding vows from real lesbian weddings.

• Pam & Vicky: Sweet and Sincere
• Chama and Sandy: Bilingual Lesbian Wedding Vows
• Yours! Would you like to share your wedding vows with others? Send them to me!

_{© Photo by Kathy Belge}

It's hard to believe there's only one season left of The L Word, Showtime's nighttime lesbian soap opera. January 18th will begin the sixth and final season of The L Word. Some of you hated it, but most of you were in love with the drama, the lust, the girls. As we get ready to spend our Sunday nights glued to Showtime, I've prepared a Season 6 preview for you. Don't worry, there are no big spoilers.

To catch you up so you're ready for this year, look back at L Word Season 5 Recaps.

Catch up with all your favorite cast members and see what Season 6 has in store for them.

Over the years I've had the opportunity to interview a number of L Word Stars. Here are a few of the Lesbian Life Interviews:

• Tammy Lynn (Etheridge) Michaels (Lacey)
• Sarah Shahi (Carmen)
• Jane Lynch (Joyce)
• Guinevere Turner (Gabby)
• Janina Gavankar (Papi)

_{© Photo: Paul Michaud/Showtime}