The Human Rights Campaign has declared October 11 as National Coming Out Day. On this day, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and allies celebrate. The Straight Spouse Network, an often invisible ally, once again joins in support.
Straight spouses are men and women who are or once were married to LGBT people. It is estimated that up to two million gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals have ever married. In addition, an unknown number of transgender persons marry. When they come out, their spouses are devastated. As a result, each straight wife or husband has to heal the wounds caused by the unexpected disclosure while dealing with their own identity crisis in isolation.
Spouses who find the Straight Spouse Network and its personal, confidential support system and research-based information begin to heal their personal trauma. They also gain understanding of the larger issue of homophobia that caused their partners to enter a traditional marriage in the first place.
For information about the Straight Spouse Network and how you can help them continue to help spouses heal and grow in understanding, see http://www.straightspouse.org.
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