As a young woman, I didn't venture much outside the heterosexual role that filled the expectations of others because the price of social discomfort and family rejection was so high that I was unwilling to pay it. In the perceived absence of another choice and the perceived threat of loss of acceptance by my community, I felt pressure to marry a man. It was just what people did. If I had not been herded in that direction, I would have thought more about myself. It was a lack of encouragement from society. It's too bad I couldn't have been more open back then, but I realize in some ways it's probably good because I would have realized much earlier my preference. In fact, I know I would h...

As a young woman, I didn't venture much outside the heterosexual role that filled the expectations of others because the price of social discomfort and family rejection was so high that I was unwilling to pay it. In the perceived absence of another choice and the perceived threat of loss of acceptance by my community, I felt pressure to marry a man. It was just what people did. If I had not been herded in that direction, I would have thought more about myself. It was a lack of encouragement from society. It's too bad I couldn't have been more open back then, but I realize in some ways it's probably good because I would have realized much earlier my preference. In fact, I know I would have. And then I wouldn't have had my two girls. So I wouldn't have missed being married for anything because of my love for them