#83 - For Current and Potential Spouses

This episode is dedicated to current and potential spouses of individuals experiencing gender nonconformity, same-sex attractions and/or gender dysphoria.In this episode, I read out survey responses sent by members of the online Straight Struggle community addressing current and potential spouses, and we discuss pertinent themes for spouses and answer frequently-asked questions. Why didn't he/she inform me before marriage and wait until now? Will he/she ever change? How do I deal with other people's opinions and judgments, particularly those coming from family? How do I deal with my insecurity and jealousy from my husband seeing other men or being with them, even though I know that there’s nothing sexual or intimate going on? I discovered my spouse has a porn and masturbation addiction, or he’s sexually acting out and has a sex addiction, what should I do? These and other relevant questions are explored in this episode.References used and resources mentioned in this episode:- Gay Children, Straight Parents: A Plan for Family Healing by Richard CohenInternational support systems for family members (including spouses):- Straight Struggle support group (online, Muslim-based, international)- Strong Support's "Spouses Support Circle" (Muslim-based, UK and international)- Positive Approaches To Healthy Sexuality (PATHS)- Brothers Road (US and international), including resources for wives, "A Woman Who Loves" (retreat), "A Woman's Heart" (coaching), relevant Facebook groups, and webinar - North Star Alliance (Mormon-based, international), including Voices of Hope and Journeys of FaithRelevant articles:- ‘What I Wish My Wife Understood About My Same-Sex Attraction’: What Men Say- ‘What I Wish My Husband Understood About How His Same-Sex Attraction Affects Me’: What Women SayFor porn and sexual compulsive behaviors:- Counseling services: Sexual Recovery Institute, Purify Your Gaze (Muslim organization), Life Star Network, Bethesda Workshops- Information for Spouses and Partners of Sex Addicts- Other helpful resources: Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), NoFap (main website, Reddit “NoFap” forum, Reddit "Muslim NoFap" forum)- Coffee With Karim podcast episode 59: "My Spouse has a Pornography Addiction" with guest speaker Zeyad Ramadan