Dear Abby: Unsure whether to end my 7-year marriage after intimacy and acceptance issues
A gay man married seven years says his husband’s religious trauma has blunted intimacy, counseling hasn’t helped, and limited acceptance from family and community — plus newly shifting career goals — have him wondering whether to stay.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a gay man who has been married to a wonderful man for seven years (together for 12). Throughout our relationship, my husband has struggled with religious trauma that affects his desire (and ability) to be intimate. We’ve seen counselors, talked through it and addressed the value we place on physical intimacy. Nothing has changed.
I love him, but I remain unsatisfied with my needs unmet. This, combined with other things -- including limited acceptance from his family and from many of those who live in our geographic area -- has led me to push aside many of the issues in our marriage as “no big deal.” Until now.