I am currently 45. I remember that I was 10 when I had my first same-sex attraction. At 23 I married my wife. At 32 we had our daughter - but I still always thought about men and I still watched gay porn from time-to-time but I never acted on those feelings. For the most part my marriage was okay - but when I turned 40 I just could not let those feelings and the attraction to other men stay dormant. There was so much leading to the demise of my marriage but at 42 I left the family home and about one month later I came out.

The defining moment for me was when I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, pointed at my image and told him he was gay. It was then that I could reply and say “yes I am”. Now I am happier than I have ever been. I am true to myself, my family and my friends about who I am. The acceptance and support has been overwhelming! Don’t get me wrong there has been some rejection, but this doesn’t even come close to outweighing the acceptance in today’s world. My daughter has been okay as she comes to terms with it all - of course being a teenage girl going through her own changes.

I am just me. No compromise. No lies. No judgement. Just me.