Reply #12: Society makes it very difficult for gay people...

[CoffeeCat]

...to accept themselves. On the macro level, there is so much discrimination and hatred. On a micro level--in families--there
are plenty of parents and extended family members who would reject children if they came out. We all know how young gay people
are bullied in school.

Also, the media portrays heterosexual couples as "the norm" and that adds more pressure.

The confluence of all of this causes denial of self. So, many gay people conform to pressure and want to avoid rejection--so
they try to live heterosexual lives.

A gay person who endures all of this---is a survivor of a very unfair society. The last thing they are is a "predator."

They are simply trying to survive and belong in the world--just like everyone else. However, they have more obstacles coming
at them from many sides.

Yes, it is sad when this happens. When a marriage ends because of this, it's painful, of course. However, that pain--and the
fact that the gay person found it easier to live a lie---is a symptom of our bigoted society. And it's certainly not the fault
of the gay person.

I'm not buying the notion that a gay person would deliberately and recklessly set out to harm someone by marrying and living
a heterosexual life. It happens, but it's done out of confusion, pressure, denial and wanting acceptance, not out of malice.