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June 23, 2026 1:19 pm  #1


Husband of 20 years just admitted to being in relationship with a man

My husband, whom I deeply love and cherish, has been distant for months.  He's expressed a shift and things being "weird'.  His job put him in a place where he was on the road and alone as we were living apart (not intentionally, just circumstance).  After claiming he needed time and space, he finally opened up to me.  He told me that he has been questioning his sexuality and has had male encounters before our marriage.  He was apologetic, crying, sad, all the emotions.  This happened  4 days ago.  He is currently traveling for work so I am not physically with him.  
I have been processing this shattering news and trying to make sense of it.  I get tidbits of information from him, mostly about the affair.  I don't yet feel anger, but just deep sadness and stress everywhere.  I am with our two boys and trying to remain "normal".  
After speaking to him today, I asked if the affair would be continuing and he said without any hesitation, yes.  definitely.  no question.  There was no consideration for my feelings.  
He has expressed his desire to work on our marriage and that hopefully we can get through this.  I'm not sure how honest he is being and feel that the truth is gradually coming out.  
I'm sick over this whole thing and question whether I can tolerate another person in our relationship.  He claims it is not serious and just fun right now.  
I can't imagine being with someone else let alone betraying him the way he has betrayed me.    I had sympathy for him but after the last conversation, I'm not sure what I feel.  I'm truly in shock.  
I am seeing a therapist.  He is actively searching for one.  
I am stuck and lost and so many feelings.  

 

June 23, 2026 3:48 pm  #2


Re: Husband of 20 years just admitted to being in relationship with a man

Look - one thing that stands out to me in your post is that he admits to encounters with men before your marriage.- why is this the first you are hearing about that?  

I think over time it is likely you will end up like I did, recognising that you fell in love with a nice image, not the real man behind the curtain.  That he never felt romantic towards you.

Recognising your husband is gay is deeply shocking - it changes your past as well as present - any time you can spend curled up on the bed is good.  Eventually the shock settles down and you are back to normal operation, it does take a while.

But you are also in an ongoing circumstance, he's not in shock, this is not news to him.  So maybe the first question should be why.  Why is he disclosing this to me now.  Did you discover something that made you question him or did he volunteer it?

 

June 24, 2026 12:26 am  #3


Re: Husband of 20 years just admitted to being in relationship with a man

Russell79 wrote:

.....  

 
Welcome to our Forum

So. You deeply love and cherish him but he has no self-awareness of how his actions are affecting you...or he simply doesn't care.
His words of wanting to "work on the marriage" don't ring true.

I hope when the shock clears that you get very angry. Not hysterically angry, not self-pity, but
stone-cold self-preservation angry.

Find a friend or family member you trust and tell them what's happening. Once
you hear yourself saying the words out loud you may, I hope, see things differently.

Elle


KIA KAHA                       
 

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