2 people found this review helpful
STRAIGHT SPOUSE NETWORK INC
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June 28, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I found this wonderful group online after my husband and I separated. My husband came out after 9 years of marriage. We stayed together for another 6. I was a complete basket case. I thought I was the only one that had a husband who had lied to her throughout their entire marriage. A marriage that I thought had been built on trust. To find out that there were other women who were in the same boat as myself gave me the strength to get up every morning and fight for that day. To understand that it was not my fault and that I had to be strong for my daughter who had no idea what was happening. I am thankful each day for this group and would not have become the confident person I am today if it had not been for them.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Quite well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 28, 2012
Without the help and support I received from SSN, I would not have survived finding out that my husband of 21 yrs was having an affair with another married man. This group gave my support I needed to get my family through a very difficult time. Knowing I was not alone in this situation made all of the difference in the world.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 30, 2009
1 person found this review helpful
The Straight Spouse Network saved my life. Four years ago, I found out that my husband of 21 years was having an affair--with another married man. We had three children between the ages of 8-20. It was a devastating time in my life, and without the support of this group, I don't know if I would have made it through. Members of the group supported me through email, phone calls and f2f meetings. I learned that I wasn't alone in this situation and saw how others have coped with the same problem and been able to move on with their lives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
so many areas of my life.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try to find a celebrity spokesperson to champion the cause and promote awareness.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
that I am not alone in this struggle; I have learned from the experiences of others and have met some wonderful, caring people who have enriched my life.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazing people who understood what I was going through.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
promote awareness of the terrible cost of society's negative attitude toward homosexuals--gay men and women who marry because they feel they must conform to society's standards.
Ways to make it better...
there was a f2f group that met regularly in my area.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
lack of awareness and funding.
One thing I'd also say is that...
SSN literally saved my life. I was in so much pain after my husband and I separated, really didn't know if I was going to be able to go on living.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
June 28, 2012
The Straight Spouse Network helped me so much 12 years ago when I found out my husband was gay. I had immediate help! Someone contacted me immediately once I found this organization. The lifeline of the Straight Spouse Network helped me feel not so alone, It helped me feel sane and helped me get through this crazy mess of being married to a gay spouse. I am indebted to them which is why I am now in the give back mode and now help others in this unique situation.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
September 7, 2010
1 person found this review helpful
My husband at the time, after 20 years of marriage, came out of the closet. If I hadn't found the Straight Spouse Network I think I would have fallen into a deeper depression. The people involved who helped me, "get it" meaning they understood what was transpiring in my life and gave me tools to help me cope through this difficult situation. Help not just for me but also for my kids and gave me a much better understanding of what my husband was going through at the time. This organization is a lifeline to sanity. And not only that, it educates the masses as we strive to build bridges with the LGBT communities.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My husband at the time, after 20 years of marriage, came out of the closet. If I hadn't found the Straight Spouse Network I think I would have fallen into a deeper depression. The people involved who helped me, "get it" meaning they understood what was transpiring in my life and gave me tools to help me cope through this difficult situation. Help not just for me but also for my kids and gave me a much better understanding of what my husband was going through at the time. This organization is a lifeline to sanity. And not only that, it educates the masses as we strive to build bridges with the LGBT communities.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
is that the people I have met are now some of my lifelong friends. My new extended family.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
patient, there at all times for me, compassionate to my situation.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
spread the word on our mission to build bridges wit the LGBT community and to let others know world wide that there is hope nad life after your spouse/partner come out.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
June 30, 2009
The Straight Spose network was a godsend when my husband came out of th closet back in 1999. He first told me he was bisexual..and I looked online for any type of help to explain this situation. We had been married almost 20 years with 2 kids, in West Michigan, where anything gay is most surely closeted. As I surfed the net I came across the Straight Spouse Network. This support group literally saved my life. It is a very safe haven for the str8 spouse...I was able to vent and cry to a wonderful group of people that new exactly what I was feeling and going through. And the help was extended to my children too. The online support is invaluable. The face to face meetings are necessary............and agian, a safe haven to cry and listen and vent.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
all the faces and hearts of the people who came to this community looking for answers and understanding. The compassion, knowledge, and time involved with everyone is just out of this world.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
all the wonderful people I have met who will be part of my extended family for life. We have a great understanding of each other. We " get it". And we are more than happy to help newbies in this situation with open hearts and arms.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
generous with their time, patient, compassionate and loving. And always available! This was/is amazing.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
speak loudly about the str8 spouse, through larger venues for fundraising, maybe bringing in bigger named speakers........allowing board members/( the ones who speak well to the public) to travel to various events to spread the word.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
2 people found this review helpful
June 27, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
The straight spouse network really helped me during a difficult time. My husband had told me he was gay and that our marriage was over. I had so many thoughts, feelings, questions, and I wanted to talk to someone who had been in that same situation. Straight Spouse Network helped me connect with other people, provided great resources and links, and helped provide me with support during that difficult time. Now, I am a volunteer contact and if someone in my area needs someone to talk to about this surreal experience, i can connect with them and take them out for coffee and provide a friendly ear to listen. They can talk freely with someone who has been there before, without shame, and without worrying about outing their partner or having other people ask, " how could you not know."
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
June 20, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I'm the Founder of the Straight Spouse Network, (1991), yet my hearing the pain expressed by the 1000's of spouses who have entered our worldwide network of "safe" places to talk about their devastated spirits and self worth and the trauma that comes from the shattering of belief system -- this experience keeps giving back to me and keeps me continue to do research and writing so that more people will understand "our" crisis and , in turn, realize that we are the unintended victims of the same pro-straight/antigay societal expectations that caused our LGBT spouses marry us in the first place. Our LGBT spouses struggled and we struggled with the impact of their finally feeling strong enough to come out of their closets. Most of us divorce, so we as well as they and our kids suffer. With this understanding, many straight spouses in the Network believe that the legalization of same-sex marriage will lead to a strengthening (not a weakening) of the institution of marriage.Thanks to Straight Spouse Network support and education network, these bridges of understanding have been built and many more are in construction.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 19, 2012
I have gone through my share of challenges, difficulties, roadblocks and disappointments in my life. And I have weathered them all successfully. But none of those adverse situations can come close to the pain and anguish which descended on me when my husband of 29 years told me that he is gay. The Straight Spouse Network was my lifeline when I lost all sense of direction in my life. I found people who understood my situation--people who helped me re-learn how to trust, to put one foot in front of the other, to build new dreams and to forge a new and healthier life. In the world of those whose lives are impacted by the LGBTQ experience, the straight spouses who are left alone when the closet door opens often have a hard time finding support or anyone who understands what they are going through. The Straight Spouse Network does an amazing job of reaching out and offering real help at an unreal time. Through a network of volunteer responders throughout the United States and in several foreign countries they offer the understanding and the words of hope that empower people to move through the journey of forgiving, rebuilding and reclaiming life. All services are offered for free, but not without cost. Keeping a website up and running, preparing resources, doing triage, training support leaders, fundraising--all this and more are done on a very limited budget. Please endorse Straight Spouse Network and help give energy to the work of rekindling hope, trust and new dreams.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 6, 2012
This Organization gave me a sense of order and a community after my husband of 22 years admitted to having an affair with man. My life, and the lives of my children, were turned upside down in the space of 1 hour. SSN helped me with the support of others who have gone through the same.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 6, 2012
SSN helped me through the process of "dealing" with my husband of 12 years who told me he was gay and had been having an affair with another married man for more than a year. The support and encouragement from SSN members has been invaluable. I am still on my journey to healing from my situation, and I rely on SSN daily for strength and endurance to walk this journey.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you find this group?
Google search
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
Constant encouragement by sharing with individuals in similar situations.
June 6, 2012
The Straight Spouse network helped me with support and encouragement at a time in my life when every thing was falling apart around me. My spouse had just told me he was gay and had been having affairs with men. My world spiraled out of control and I was on the verge of ending it all, and then I entered Straight spouse in a search engine. I found out I was no longer alone. This group provides hope, understanding and educates on all levels. They have saved many lives.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 6, 2012
I discovered my now-ex husband was/is gay after nearly 32 years of marriage! You can imagine what a shock it was. It took me nearly four months to find the Straight Spouse Network (in 2002) and I have been very actively involved since then -- as a volunteer, Board member, (volunteer) Staff Member, speaker to media (TV, newspapers, radio, magazines, and an upcoming documentary). Without this group, I feel as if I would have just curled up and died. I've seen hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of str8 spouses slowly but surely go from abject despair to comtemplating a future in which there might be job. Oh, please support this extraordinary VOLUNTEER organization!
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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