Oct 3rd, 2002
The Straight Spouse Network Turns 10
In her syndicated advice column on 9/12/2002, “Dear Abby” told a woman married to a man she suspects is gay to contact the Straight Spouse Network, an organization founded a decade ago to support people who are or were married to GLBT spouses. Abby wrote, “You may be justifiably angry, but you are not alone in this problem,” and referred to the SSN website as “a bonanza of information.”
As a result of this national publicity, the Straight Spouse Network fielded hundreds of calls in the two weeks the followed. (Typically the organization receives 100-200 new inquiries each month — a 100% increase from last year.)
While straight spouses are often seen as outsiders to the GLBT community, SSN members have demonstrated that if they are provided with the support they need, they can move through feelings of anger and betrayal, and even become advocates for acceptance of GLBT people.
The recent PFLAG conference included 14 straight spouses who volunteered to speak on panels and staff the SSN information table.
Amity Pierce Buxton, founder and director of SSN says that whether it’s a syndicated advice column or an internet search or simply word of mouth, family members are always grateful when they discover the organization exists. She says, “I often hear comments like, ‘I wish I had heard about this years ago,’ and ‘Thank goodness you’re here!’
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Related post: “Consider the Straight Spouse When Leaving a Marriage”