I was the youngest of 6 two brothers and 3 sisters, My mother loved babies but as soon as tey got to 3 or 4 she wasn't interested so my elder sister brought me up. The family home was a small 3 bedroom council house. Dad who had polio as a child was constantly ill and died when I was 8 leaving a huge gap in my life as he was the only one who championed me, I guess as his life made him different somthing in him saw the something in me. I always knew I was gay although I had no name for it but for as long as I could remember my ambition was to get married and have a husband. I was the butt of the family jokes, malnourished and scared. I hated school and would often play truant, so often in fact that at 12 I was sent to an approved school where away from the fammily envioronment I blossomed. Around that time a doctor/psychiatrist was conducting experiments with sodium amatol on children from childrens homes and institutions and I was selected. What transpired was a crude attempt at aversion therapy once he had discovered my preference for other men. I am still in trauma therapy for that so I will speak more on it later. At the age of Fifteen I was back at home and living a lie, one day my mother asked what was wrong with me and I told her I was gay. She said she would not have one of those under her roof and threw me out. years later I was hapily partnered and re kindling a relationship with my brother two years my senior he came to my hose to visit with his young daughter who inocently asked why I was not married, I said because I lived with Mack my partner, she asked why Mack wasn't married so I said because he lived with me. She looked puzzeled and said two men can't be married to each other. I looked to my brother giving him the opportunity to say something and he changed the subject. That put such a strain on our relationship that even now we see each other at funerals and exchange birthday and Chiristmas cards but that is the limit.
I am happier now than I have ever been living with my partner but cut off from my family of origin. I have a family of choice and feel no need for anything more.
thank you for your openness it allowed me to do likewise.And yes you are better looking than your bro although he isn't bad himself.
Thanks so much for writing. We're sorry your experience with your family has been so heartbreaking, but also happy you have found your partner and have been able to make your own family. The old saying you can pick your friends but not your family is very true. In the log run I would say your family is losing out and not you. Good luck, Happy Hollidays and thanks again for writing.. Mike and Aaron