STRAIGHT SPOUSE NETWORK INC
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This organization literally saved my life. I found out my husband was gay and my life fell apart, my health was lost, I was in grief, I could barely function. . . Suddenly, upon finding a group of people who had just been through the same ordeal, I was feeling a little better each time I wrote to them, and they responded. So much of living with a gay spouse who is closeted is about being simply shut-out, emotionally, from the truth. These people let me back in. . .I owe them my life. . .Z.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of so many grieving spouses who have come to understand that their wife or husband is gay.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Better than any professionals out there. They are better than you can imagine, for a non-profit.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Ease so much mental anguish, so much disruption caused to men, women, but especially to children, entire families who have had their worlds shattered.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
There is no way I would have survived the lengthy aftermath of my divorce from a seriously disturbed closeted homosexual misogynist without the help and affirmation of the straight spouse network. In order to remain in the closet, my ex husband had to discredit me, because I knew. Our divorce was expensive, it took two years, and he dragged out the custody disputes for two more years, ending only when he lost at the appellate level. He wanted to be in control and "allow" me to be with the children - in other words remain his cover. I met so many wonderful men who affirmed my perceptions of what a family man truly is. I met other women who like me will never hear the words "honey I'm Gay" - but rather "you are a crazy liar who is making this all up". I realized that I was not alone, and that the denial of my liberal friends and church was a rebuke of me - and an embrace of the lie I refused to live and subject my children to. Because of the affirmation of these folks, and the TONS of factual information, I was able to survive this long ordeal (married 15 years, joint custody of our boys for 10 years after that)and now claim my own life. I am happy to help others know that they are not alone, we get it, we understand, and there are many different resolutions to this dilemma
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own life and the lives of others, including my children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Shout out loud about how important it is to recognize the straight spouse as a PERSON, not just "collateral damage". (Did you know that in recent times, people who are "collateral damage" are usually dead?) LET'S SAVE MORE LIVES!!!
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Making new friends and gaining greater understanding and wisdom about mixed orientation marriages and survival.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all knowledgeable, compassionate, responsive, superb.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
REACH EVERYONE WHO NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT IT.
Ways to make it better...
if what? no negatives here.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Publicity, growth, funding to do this important work. There's a lot of resistance to this positive and honest message.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am alive today because of the straight spouse network.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
The SSN is an amazing group of people (familiee) who support one another, hold one another up, laugh, cry, vent with one another while learning the truth about a spouse. I had been married for 14 years when I learned that my ex-husband was having an affair with another man. I was devastated, I couldn't understand how he could be gay and married to me. This familiee helped me along the path towards healing by allowing me to share my voice in learning the truth.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
how I have changed and grown since learning the truth about my ex-husband.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being a part of a familiee who understood what I was feeling and dealing with.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
heartwarming, encouraging, understanding, compassionate, empathic....this list could go on and on.....
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
go a long way in educating the public on gay rights and supporting other str8 spouses
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
SSN or Straight Spouse Network is a nonprofit organization of which I have been a member of for six years. In 2002, I found out that my husband was gay and we had been married for 21 years. My life was devastated and I had little hope for the future. I did not understand why he had married me and had two chldren with me. I was confused and angry. A friend of mine saw an article in Dear Abbey and connected me to SSN. I started posting and sharing my story and very quickly realized that I was not the only one. I can honestly say that they saved my life. They gave me hope at a time when I had none. Thier support and compassion was overwhelming. Thier support helped me to understand the lesbian, gay and transgendered experience and become sensitive to thier needs. It is my goal that through education and legistlation, there will be less Str8 Spouses left in the dust. All of us together can make this happen. Hugs, Ann St. Croix
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through our goal of Reaching Out, Healing, and Building Bridges, we honor each others feelings and build bridges with the gay community.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Be Proud. Thanks to Amity and Cathy for paving our way.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Loving support and knowing that someone is only a phone call away.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Incredible. Always looking for new ways to reach out and build bridges with the gay community.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Reach more str8s and save lives. Build stronger networks with our gay community.
Ways to make it better...
Gay c ommunity is more supportive of who the str8 spouse is and our role in trying to move forward.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Visibility.
One thing I'd also say is that...
As the str8 spouse in a gay marriage, unbenounced to me, my life blew apart. I was not privy to knowing that he had been gay all his life. It was his secret. It destroyed my self worth. SSN helped me retain my dignity.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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