Israeli Author Miri Rossovski Discusses Coming Out as Bisexual at 52
Israeli author Miri Rossovski, known for her best-selling novels, has opened up about her journey of self-discovery, including falling in love with a woman for the first time at age 52. Rossovski, who previously divorced her second husband, found herself re-evaluating her life and decided to explore romantic relationships with women. She emphasizes that this realization did not stem from a past of living inauthentically but rather from discovering her capacity to be attracted to both men and women, viewing sexuality as a spectrum.
Her first serious relationship with a woman began during the COVID-19 pandemic, lasting three years, followed by another significant relationship and shorter attempts. Rossovski notes that relationships with women feel more immediate and equal, free from the ingrained power dynamics and societal expectations often present in heterosexual relationships. She found the experience surprisingly natural and empowering, leading her to be more outwardly expressive in her relationships.
Rossovski's children were supportive of her coming out. Her adult daughters were unfazed, and her younger son, then in 12th grade, responded thoughtfully, suggesting that a sensitive partner was what she needed and that women could offer that. This experience highlighted for Rossovski the more open attitudes towards gender and identity among younger generations.
She reflects that while relationships with men have been complicated by past experiences, including a difficult relationship with her father, her relationships with women allow her to be her authentic self more easily. Currently single, Rossovski acknowledges the challenges in relationships but maintains faith in love, embracing the possibility of being alone without fear. She links this personal evolution to significant professional developments, including founding her publishing house, "Shbatim," and completing her doctorate, feeling a newfound sense of freedom and self-expression.
Rossovski also discusses her publishing house, "Shbatim," which she co-founded and now runs independently after a partnership dissolution. The house operates on a model where authors contribute to publication costs and retain rights and profits. She views literature as having a crucial social role, especially in the current climate, and is committed to projects that offer hope and reflection, such as a recent workshop for survivors of the October 7th attacks.