MAHWAH, N.J., Oct. 8, 2008 — The Human Rights Campaign has declared October 11th as National Coming Out Day.
On this day, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community – and those who love them – will celebrate the opportunity for them to live openly.
A new voice (from what many might think is an unlikely source) has joined in support of this basic human right: the voice of straight spouses – men and women who have been or are married to LGBT people.
Why are straight spouses supporting National Coming Out Day?
"Many concerns of a straight spouse relate to anti-gay and anti-trans attitudes and behaviors in communities across the country," says Kathy Callori, Executive Director of the Straight Spouse Network. "They, and their children too, are often stigmatized or isolated in social or religious groups. They also fear their LGBT partners will lose their jobs or community status if they come out publicly."
To end the practice of closeting in marriage, straight spouses have added a heartfelt pitch to Coming Out Day 2008: "Let LGBT persons come out as equals – a human right." For the same reason, SSN as an organization supports same-gender marital unions.
It is estimated that up to two million gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals have married or will marry. In addition, an unknown number of transgender persons marry. When they come out, their spouses feel ignored, betrayed, and sexually rejected. Most family members and friends, even professionals and clergy, do not understand their pain or minimize their concerns. Each straight wife or husband must heal the wounds caused by the unexpected disclosure while undergoing their own identity crisis in isolation.
Spouses who find the Straight Spouse Network and its personal, confidential support system and research-based information are able to heal their personal trauma and 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.
Contact Person:
Kathy Callori
201 264-2018
# # #