Of course, as I mentioned, coming from a large Catholic family not everyone (including some of my siblings) are so understanding, but I realize that that is their issue and not mine. My kids along with the ex-wife have been nothing but supportive since coming out as I am still the same dad and person that they knew and loved but now open to being my authentic self. Only after going to my first gay bar and meeting another man did I realize that 'this is where I belong.' I stayed in the closet for another two years but when I finally came out to my kids, I realized the heavy burden I'd been carrying on my shoulders by not being honest with them or the people I love. Growing up in a conservative Catholic family the thought of being gay wasn’t even an option - I felt the need to bury any feelings.Īfter going through the divorce and even dating another female for two years in my early forties, I knew what I knew back in kindergarten: I liked Susie but was also attracted to Billy (just didn’t know exactly what that meant). 'As a man married to my high school sweetheart, together for over 20 years with two teenage kids I was devastated when she wanted a divorce because she was leaving me for someone she had met at work.
