Jeremy's Story
I am 37 years old, now divorced with three beautiful children. I have always known that I was gay, even though growing up it was a very hush-hush subject. Growing up in the Southeast U.S., this was the biggest sin you could commit against your faith, your family, and yourself. Needless to say, my feelings to truly be myself were suppressed well into my adulthood.
At the age of 24 I married my best friend and started a family. 10 years later I realized that I had taken 10 years of her life in a selfish attempt to conceal my true identity. Through all the hurt and the pain, she is still my best friend, and our children are fortunate to have three parents who cherish them. It took me some time to accept myself, and not be concerned about everyone else or their opinion of me. The most difficult part of coming out was trying to decide whether or not to tell our kids. After much reading and even more pushback from family, I decided it was best to tell them even though they are all 10 years old and younger. As they get older they will understand everything but they will not have the betrayed feeling of not knowing. And they can know they were created out of a loving relationship. |