ABSTRACT
It has been almost 25 years since I (Jerry) came out as a father who is also gay. As unlikely as it may seem today, this was a radical move in anyone's life path in 1983 and especially for someone who was a behavioral scientist holding an academic position at a prominent Western United States research institution. It was a move that was made at first very unwillingly as I dragged myself reluctantly from what I perceived to be the security of the closet. But, as time progressed, my feelings often shifted between gratefulness at not having to live a lie of unauthenticity and guilt for the pain that my ex-wife and children experienced because of my charade. All this has become resolved as everyone involved has adjusted and acquired new knowledge, understanding, and personal identities.
