Hello, My Name is Robin

[RobinR]

I have been a Christian in conservative churches most of my life...went to a Christian college, married a Christian man, raised Christian children. I began to question my sexual orientation twenty years ago, but kept it quiet, believing like most in my church, that it was a sin and I just needed to pray more. Two years ago I began working with a counselor who challenged my beliefs about God and reminded me that I could find Christians who would support me. My marriage of 25 years had been lifeless for most of that time, but as "good Christians" we kept going through the motions. I finally confessed to my husband the secret I had kept. He was gracious and kind and has supported me as I work through this process. We are divorcing, but have remained in the same home for economic reasons. I am deeply in love with a woman now and we are moving forward in a relationship. I only recently told my daughters. My youngest, age 16, is angry and will not look at me or speak to me. I am heartbroken by this. I know she needs time and space and I am trying to grant her that. I hope I will find support in this forum from those who have come out to children. Reading others' stories helps me to go forward.

[BruceChris]

And supported by the members of this forum. Come back and chat, or post to other parts of these forums. Maybe even become a regular.

I cannot believe that our sexuality is a sin, because we are, just as God has made us.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[kara speltz]

I have been a Christian in conservative churches most of my life...went to a Christian college, married a Christian man, raised Christian children. I began to question my sexual orientation twenty years ago, but kept it quiet, believing like most in my church, that it was a sin and I just needed to pray more. Two years ago I began working with a counselor who challenged my beliefs about God and reminded me that I could find Christians who would support me. My marriage of 25 years had been lifeless for most of that time, but as "good Christians" we kept going through the motions. I finally confessed to my husband the secret I had kept. He was gracious and kind and has supported me as I work through this process. We are divorcing, but have remained in the same home for economic reasons. I am deeply in love with a woman now and we are moving forward in a relationship. I only recently told my daughters. My youngest, age 16, is angry and will not look at me or speak to me. I am heartbroken by this. I know she needs time and space and I am trying to grant her that. I hope I will find support in this forum from those who have come out to children. Reading others' stories helps me to go forward.

Welcome Robin: Your 16 year old will come around eventually, I'm sure. She's in the midst of discovering her own sexuality and so is probably pretty threatened by all of this. Also, remember when you first heard the "facts of life," I remember thinking - "oh yuck, my parents don't do that." When we come out, our families are forced to think about things they'd rather not.

Just keep loving her and praying for her and letting her know that your love for her is unconditional.

Kara

[Gennee]

Hi Robin and welcome to the forum. God loves :love: you and so do I. Keep loving and praying for your daughter. My wife and son have accepted me being transgender. I pray that you will find support and love here.

Gennee

:love::wave::love::love::love:

[RobinR]

Thanks for your replies. I appreciate the support. It has been a difficult day. I fluctuate between feeling confidant and strong to being depressed and anxious. I love my children and I hate that my honesty has caused them pain. Please keep praying for us.

Robin

[poeticwomyn]

I have been a Christian in conservative churches most of my life...went to a Christian college, married a Christian man, raised Christian children. I began to question my sexual orientation twenty years ago, but kept it quiet, believing like most in my church, that it was a sin and I just needed to pray more. Two years ago I began working with a counselor who challenged my beliefs about God and reminded me that I could find Christians who would support me. My marriage of 25 years had been lifeless for most of that time, but as "good Christians" we kept going through the motions. I finally confessed to my husband the secret I had kept. He was gracious and kind and has supported me as I work through this process. We are divorcing, but have remained in the same home for economic reasons. I am deeply in love with a woman now and we are moving forward in a relationship. I only recently told my daughters. My youngest, age 16, is angry and will not look at me or speak to me. I am heartbroken by this. I know she needs time and space and I am trying to grant her that. I hope I will find support in this forum from those who have come out to children. Reading others' stories helps me to go forward.

Robin, my story is very similar with the exception that my ex husband was not at all supportive (the marriage was abusive, primarily mentally and emotionally, somewhat physically) I was married for 22 years, mostly because all I wanted to be when I grew up was a mommy. It was heart breaking when I had to deal with the lack of acceptance from my children. But as time passed and they realized I was not a different person, and they were no different than any other children of divorced parents, it became easier for them. And now they always love, respect, and accept me. Granted, my partner has a bit of trouble sometimes (as all step parents do), but not so much now that the children realize we are both committed to making our relationship work, and we are every bit as married as any hetero couple could ever be. It has taken almost six years since the divorce and almost four years of being with my partner for things to become ........... well I won't say easy, I don't know if they will ever be easy, but to become mostly comfortable, with the children , for me as well as my partner. Good luck and feel free to pm me anytime you need to chat. Kat

[Jennifer5]

I have been a Christian in conservative churches most of my life...went to a Christian college, married a Christian man, raised Christian children. I began to question my sexual orientation twenty years ago, but kept it quiet, believing like most in my church, that it was a sin and I just needed to pray more. Two years ago I began working with a counselor who challenged my beliefs about God and reminded me that I could find Christians who would support me. My marriage of 25 years had been lifeless for most of that time, but as "good Christians" we kept going through the motions. I finally confessed to my husband the secret I had kept. He was gracious and kind and has supported me as I work through this process. We are divorcing, but have remained in the same home for economic reasons. I am deeply in love with a woman now and we are moving forward in a relationship. I only recently told my daughters. My youngest, age 16, is angry and will not look at me or speak to me. I am heartbroken by this. I know she needs time and space and I am trying to grant her that. I hope I will find support in this forum from those who have come out to children. Reading others' stories helps me to go forward.
Welcome Robin :wave:

You are loved here!

My parents divorced almost three years ago I guess, I was 15... and all I would have needed from my dad would have been to know that he cared about me. So long as your daughter knows how much you sincerely love her and care about her, everything will be fine in time. :love: