My Brother

My brother is now in his late 50’s and is finally out. He lived a tough life of denial. A failed straight marriage. Many wrong employment turns. He was even homeless for awhile. I’m a few years younger than my brother, and I am a straight man. I knew my brother was gay, yet he would not admit it to himself, and was afraid to come out to our family.

It never mattered to me. My love for him, and my wishing that he would become the person I always knew that was inside of him never stopped. When I saw the place where he was living, (a horrid section of north Philadelphia), I contacted him and asked if he’d like to get out of the city. He did.

I have an uncle who lives in a beautiful, scenic part of the US. Deep in the heart of the Ozarks, in Arkansas. I contacted my uncle and explained my worry for my beloved brother. I asked my uncle if my brother could move out and stay with him, just to get out of the city. My wonderful uncle agreed. I assisted in funding my brother’s bus trip out to Arkansas, where my brother lives today.

Happy, safe, out, and creating some beautiful artwork.

My concern is for others who have been in denial for years. Whether their families will accept the truth when a person comes out, and including their gay/lesbian loved ones in family functions.

It hurts to see how my brother is treated by several members of my family, now that he has come out.

I will always leave an open door in my house for him, just as my heart will always be there for him.