Q:

I love my queer friend group — but feel weird about being the oldest member of the crew

Hello Autostraddle writers! Last year, my 15-year relationship ended in divorce and now, at the age of 49, I’m single for the first time in so long. Before that relationship I was in two other long-term relationships with little time in between. I know what you’re thinking: I’m about to ask for dating advice. I’m not! I’ve managed to reconnect with old friends and make new ones and found a social scene in my city that i’m really enjoying. The only thing is that I am significantly older than most of my friends!

In practice, it’s not a huge deal, though they often chide me lightly about my age, and we have different cultural touchstones,...