tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334205599297722121.post3009939127144379989..comments2023-12-06T14:43:06.715-08:00Comments on Transwoman Times: The Woman Becomes a Daughter?Justine Valinottihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334205599297722121.post-7664025565553500722008-08-06T21:23:00.000-07:002008-08-06T21:23:00.000-07:00What a fascinating experience you describe, Justin...What a fascinating experience you describe, Justine. Family situations are so tricky, and we are often surprised by reactions from people who we thought we could read from a mile away.<BR/><BR/>I knew I was gay when I was about 12. However, I was firmly convinced that my parents would have totally flipped had I told them. I went so far as to marry and have a child, divorce after the death of our child, and then get married a second time, also to a woman. When that marriage failed in under two years, at the age of 33, I finally decided to come out.<BR/><BR/>But I did not come out to my parents. I moved to Boston, where virtually no one knew me, and began living an openly gay lifestyle. Two years after moving there I met my partner, and soon to be husband, Arnold. Sadly my mother died before she could meet him, and she died not knowing, or at least not having me acknowledge to her, who I was. I believe she suspected it strongly, but neither of us brought it up.<BR/><BR/>When my dad finally did find out, I was ready for the big rejection. Instead, he and Arnold became the closest of friends and had a marvelous relationship until the day my dad died. When I think back to all of the years I probably cheated myself out of, by prejudging what I believed my parent's reactions would be, I feel very sad.<BR/><BR/>Arnold and I have been together since 1982. We live in Canada where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005. We are getting legally married August 31. After all these years I am not only becoming a husband again, but I am actually acquiring one as well.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03911482047539866489noreply@blogger.com