Been reading lots of article concerning older people leaving their spouse to persure their true life style of beign gay, that they gave up for numerous reasons. imput please
133431
coming out of the closet is more acceptable now than it was in the past.  Back in the day, people were pretty much persecuted for being gay.  They may have felt that the only life they could lead was to pretend to be striaght, to appease their family, friends, and society... sacrifing their actual wants and needs in the process.  As we have become more permissive about it, these older folks feel safer to come out as who they really are.
173883
I have a friend who is gay.He grew up being my brothers' friend.We were always together,people thought we were a couple.This went on for years.Then one night he tried to commit suicide.Thank God he called someone to help him.He said he thought it would be best if he killed himself because he was afraid we would not accept him anymore.Boy was he wrong!We did not not shun him.He was & is still part of the family.We don't treat him any different now.We never will.I know that a lot of people say homosexuality is a sin.But it isn't my place or anyone else's to judge you or any other gay person.I know my friend is alot happier now that he is not secretive about his sexual prefferences.I have called my friend but he has not returned any of my calls,but i know he is fine because his mother has told me.Whatever his reason for not calling me,is his choice.Maybe i was just in his life for a season.Who knows?I still consider him my friend.I know he is Happy with his partner,so i am not worried about his well being.I would never turn my friends away,no matter what.Well unless they did harm to my family.That is a different thing.Anyway,this is just who i am.Be Blessed! Monica
79841
YES! YES! NO!\n\nI don't understand this witch hunt that seems to be going on against gays.  And that's what it is... they get one right taken away after another... after the 'ban of marriage' succeeded, now, people are going after their right to adopt children.  What's next?!  Their right to breathe our air?!\n\nThis is a huge hot spot with me. I'm not gay, but I believe in EVERYONEs rights.  They aren't criminals, they have a different life style, and they should not be punished for that.  I mean, they can't help the way they feel... that's just the way you are born.  And WHAT HARM is it doing anyone if they get married, or adopt children?  It's actually doing the adopted child a favor, they'll have a loving family.  A lot of times gay couples will adopt children that other (straight) couples won't adopt because they're too old, or have behavioral problems or what not.  Are we going to punish this child by making them NOT have a home until they are old enough to go off on our own, JUST so we can punish someone for being gay?\n\nAnd as far as I know, the children that they have would NOT be confused.  They'd be well adjusted, and learn to be more TOLERANT towards others who are different.\n\nI could go on for a while about this, but I won't.  I'm afraid to see what all the other answers will be though... sigh.\n\n(but I just submitted and looked at other responses and was so far pleasantly surprised.  Thanks guys!)
247394
This is really a decision only you can make, no matter how much advice you receive from all of us.\n\nHaving said that, this is a little of my story to help you out.\n\nI am from a very strict Catholic family, my father was a cop, my brother is a security guard and at the time I was working in Federal Government Security as well. Basically Law Enforcement down the line. All very strict, uptight and all that cr@p. Lots of derogatory talk about gays and lots of gay jokes all the time and all the while I was sinking further and further into my dark little closet.\n\nOn the outside I was this wonderful, cheery, jolly bloke, the life of every party - on the inside I just wanted to take my service revolver and blow my head off to stop the pain.\n\nI ended up "coming out" and do you know what happened? Nothing! Big anti-climax! The world didn't stop turning, I didn't get dis-owned, Mum gave me a hug and a kiss and told me she would always love me no matter what. Dad gave me a hug but had a tear in his eye, and my brother, who I thought would just punch my lights out, gave me the biggest hug and said I never thought you would have the balls to do it. When I asked him what he meant he told me that he had always known he just never said anything.\n\nIt is your decision to come out, only you know when, where, how and to whom first. Good luck and God Bless.
581588
The suicide rate of ex gays is really really high, I guess we don't want people confusing our community to a point of suicide,\n\nBesides, how do you KNOW they are ex gay?  Maybe they just got better at hiding it.  How do I know?  Well I have been pursued by some of them.  And considering, I find it hard to respect.
247090
I've never said this statement, but I understand it from a woman's point of view. It has absolutely nothing to do with gay men and what they do or don't do in the bedroom. This statement is said in frustration when it seems like there is a shortage of quality, available men. The only relevance it really has to gay men is that they are not "on the market" for single, hetero women.
610889
I have no earthly idea why people keep insisting on defining marriage!  Why is this such a big deal?  There are so many things that are truly imporant that we can put our energy into solving rather than someones desire to marry someone of the same sex.  You certainly wont stop them from having a relationship.  What are you doing that the government will decide to ban next?  Frankly, whatever goes on in my underpants is none of the governments business.  All of those who are in support of BIG GOVERNMENT telling you how to conduct your private lives had better watch out, you may get more than what you bargained for.  Obviously, since this question keeps coming up over and over, there are more people out there that have little else to do but worry about this nonsense.  If this has to do with Christianity, divorce, partner swapping, adultery, sexual abuse, spousal abuse, etc. have already made a mockery of marriage so who cares if homosexuals want a part of it.  I think there is something in that big Bible that you all are thumping that says that we have all have free will....Please stop trying to legislate morality and personal decision that have absolutly nothing to do with you.  If you dont want to marry someone of the same sex, DONT.  And no, I am not gay, I am just not so hypocritical that I feel I need to impose my lifestyle on others.
153197
now days, there are more divorced people or not.  SO dont worry about SOME of the opinions you've gotten. If it wasnt you're fault, dont worry about it!  Things happen, like to me, and I sure as hell wasnt staying when that dumb a** was cheating with everything that walked.  So somewhere else, to some other preacher!
591082
This stuff is supposed to be secret... who keeps leaking out information to all those wanna-be people. At first we had a nice little club thing going on,...and ...if we keep giving out these tiny secrets,...before long everyone will want to be LGBT.\n\nI'm thinking about quitting....
539441
Good morning, dearheart. Good for you. here's my take on gay marriage. I've been married to the same wonderful lady for the last 26 years. She drives OTR semi for a living and I'm a housewife. We both wear wedding rings and feel as married as the next heterosexual couple but I can get none of her health benefits. How my union is hurting society I can't fathom as our relationship has been monogamous for all of it's 26 years and that same union has lasted longer than many heterosexual marriages. There are couples on the LGBTQ site here that have been together for over 40 years (which is a great thing in its own right) How can their love be hurting anyone? Good luck and Blessings on you.
484231
You're right it is amazing how all these hetero couples have managed to raise gay children. That should give people a clue but it doesn't seem to. There is not a thing wrong with gay people raising children. Love is what a child needs it doesn't matter to them if you are gay or not.
377551
Yes, reading through many of these questions (and answers as well) can make a person cynical.  Unfortunately, there's a lot of cluelessness---not only about making a commitment that will last, and putting in the effort, but also about what men and women need at the deepest levels.\n   But if you look around in the "real" world, not just on this site where so many problems are discussed, you'll find plenty of people still married, raising families, and then enjoying grandchildren.  I've found that it's best to make your closest friendships with people who are, like you seem to be, committed to keeping their marriages intact.
417129
BetitoDetroit...  wow.  I hope you never have a failed relationship, because then.. all your horrible reasons for opposing gay marriage will be gone.  Just like your partner.
223234
It sounds like he is really confused right now. He may need space to think things out. Alot homosexual people struggle with their feelings. It is natural for him to feel torn between his feeling and longing for a sense of normality in his life. Alot of gay males try the straght thing thinking that they can have a natural family and be accepted by society but then realise later that they are trying to change themselves. He may be going through one of those times right now. If you have seen him on the gay dating sites that is a bit different. Are you sure that those profiles are not old? some people continue to check old dating accounts just to see who responded. Ask him about them. If he gets defensive, then you may have a clue. Just give him some time to sort things out and if what you guys have is worth saving he will realize it. for now be his friend and help him find hisself. And dont listent to any negativity on here...we dont choose who we love
647470
Thank you sooooo much I have wondered the same thing. I think they feel being gay is something the whole world needs to know just so people do not ask them why they are not with the opp. sex.  Also I guess it makes them feel better
48437
This question cannot be answered reliably.  Relationships happen and end every day--so there is no reliable statistic.  Also, since most people who engage in gay relationship continue to be closeted--again there is no reliable statistic available.
659307
I grew up in rural KY. Married a girl from my class - had a child got divorced - came out of the closet - got custody of my child, met my husband (we have now been together 16 years) and I am planning my 20th year HS reunion myself - it is 1 Jul 06.  I am having a great time - life is wonderufl and I could not ask for more.  My spouse is not intersted in going so I am taking my best friend of 15 years - another gay guy.\n\nGo have a great time - from what I can tell after 20 years people have learned a lot about life and they just want to reconnect and have a nice evening, don't miss your chance to do the same!  \n\nRemember it is Gay PRIDE!