CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
As the never-ending public slugfest between former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey and ex-wife Dina Matos McGreevey demonstrates, the dissolution of a marriage is hard -- harder still when the separation involves a coming-out.
The anger and self-doubt accompanying any divorce is exponentially greater for the straight wives or husbands whose spouses announce they're gay and leaving. It's an unenviable position -- one that often includes thoughts of I should've known and Did I turn him/her gay? Amity Buxton has been helping people get through this situation for years through the organization she founded, the Bay Area-based Straight Spouse Network.
"Being rejected as a man or a woman is the hardest thing to go through," says Buxton, who was married for 25 years to a closeted man. Her group provides support and education for and by current and former spouses of LGBT people (as well as some gay members of those relationships). "Our goal is that gay people don't feel they have to get married because of social pressure," says Buxton, "that they could marry each other and we wouldn't have so many family tragedies."
The Straight Spouse Network began in 1991, an outgrowth of spouse meetings sponsored by PFLAG. It has an annual budget of about $100,000 and thousands of participants across the country. "Most people don't understand how this is different from a usual affair or divorce," says Buxton. "When the spouses find people who understand their anger and explain they didn't turn anyone gay, they gradually stand on their own feet again and understand the gay point of view." The network links up people through StraightSpouse.org, aligning those in similar situations.
Once a spouse comes out, couples fall into one of three categories, Buxton says. Either they immediately separate, they try to make it work but divorce within a few years, or they commit to the marriage, either as a monogamous, celibate, or open-relationship couple. The network passes judgment on no one, Buxton says.
Living up to its aforementioned goal, the network listed itself as an endorser of the ACLU's successful case against California's ban on same-sex marriage. The network also condemned reparative therapy, and attempts to help high-profile figures who've separated from gay spouses. Buxton has spoken several times with Matos McGreevey.
Says Buxton: "One of the things Dina said was, 'It took me a minute to decide whether to go out on TV with him [when McGreevey came out publicly]. And I thought, I need to be there in my own right. The public thought, I'm standing by my man. No -- I needed to show I'm still here and still strong.' "
Nbroverman
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Germany makes it easier to change gender and name on legal documents
April 12 2024 6:06 PM
A youth's call to action on this Day of NO Silence
April 12 2024 5:00 PM
Democrats introduce resolution in support of LGBTQ+ youth
April 12 2024 4:35 PM
Colton Underwood is hoping to create a gay reality TV dating show
April 12 2024 4:28 PM
Idaho closes legislative session with a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedElevating pet care with TrueBlue’s all-natural ingredients
April 12 2024 1:39 PM
Watch Jimmy Kimmel's hilarious LGBTQ+ campaign video: 'You can't spell Biden without Bi'
April 12 2024 12:00 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedCreating erotic art and advocacy with adult entertainer Cody Silver (EXCLUSIVE)
April 12 2024 11:39 AM
How I navigated through religious trauma
April 12 2024 11:00 AM
Limited gender markers add hurdles for nonbinary people
April 12 2024 9:34 AM
Suspect in killing of Black trans man Righteous Torrence 'TK' Hill identified by police
April 12 2024 9:13 AM
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Neal Broverman
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.