Guys who come out at (much) older age.

[hunky]

I have met some guys who came out at very older age, like in their 60´s and 70´s, after having built a solid family life, and ending it abruptly and telling the world that that was not what they really were and go for another try.

My humble opinion is that they do not need to break up with their family, and they can have their "fun" without telling everyone.

 

[Castilian]

It's not about what you think. It's about them and wanting to live their life. It may come earlier for some and in these cases, it came later. The point is that it came and they were finally okay with themselves to let everyone know.

 

[gmoney]

Everyone has their reasons for coming out when they feel it is right. Society does such a good job at making us feel like we're "freaks of nature". I just wish I was one of those that could have accepted my sexuality when I was in my prime. I feel as if I've lost the best years of my life! Kudos to anyone who comes out at no matter what age!

 

[writerguyfl]

Well, I've lived it...but not as you might be thinking.

My father came out when I was in 5th grade. My parents divorced with MAJOR drama. haha. My father was raised Southern Baptist, so being gay was not an option. He wasn't in his 60s, but mid 40s.

Given the fact that I'm gay, I'd glad he was able to figure it all out. I got a very cool step-dad out of it, too!

 

[Kyanimal]

A friend of mine read about his parents' divorce as a "case study" in Law School! And though it wasn't a "Gay" related "thing", it still was quite an "eye opener"!!

The point is ... being Honest about what's going on, as soon as possible, is FAR better than keeping it a "secret"! There are far worse ramifications of "built-up skeletons"!

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[Lube]

It's not about what you think. It's about them and wanting to live their life. It may come earlier for some and in these cases, it came later. The point is that it came and they were finally okay with themselves to let everyone know.

Everyone has their reasons for coming out when they feel it is right. Society does such a good job at making us feel like we're "freaks of nature". I just wish I was one of those that could have accepted my sexuality when I was in my prime. I feel as if I've lost the best years of my life! Kudos to anyone who comes out at no matter what age!

What they said.

Coming out an any age is being true to yourself. Why live a lie? As someone who came out "later in life" (40's) myself, I'd much rather come out than live in the closet. I chose to come out. I'm completely out now (and going to my first Pride festival this weekend, in fact).

 

[sebastian-k]

Everyone has their reasons for coming out when they feel it is right.....

I think that coming out is not a must to everyone. As Gmoney said everyone has their own reason and their own life, it's their choice to come out or not, when and how.

 

[spreadeagle]

By the time a family man is in his 60's or 70's he has well and truly demonstrated his commitment to family and in most cases his children would already be fully grown adults. Surely then he is entitled to spend some time and energy on his own personal development. There is no real reason why coming out late in life need 'break up' the family.

We're talking here about men born before the Second World War and if you've read anything of gay history you'll know that the social implications of homosexuality were radically different before 1969. It is sometimes difficult for younger men in First World countries to comprehend that not so long ago even having private consensual sex with your boyfriend could result in imprisonment for both of you. Of course, there are areas of the world where this is still the case and where men and women are routinely tortured or put to death by the state for being gay.

Men who have been forced to live a lie their whole lives through fear of persecution may have a good deal more to gain than you contemplate by being true to themselves at last. Thier courage is to be applauded, not denigrated.