OutBoise Magazine January 2016 | Page 18

18  |  OutBoise Magazine  | NEWS Time Out, Kids! Coming out after over 38 years of suppression, abuse and ridicule for being gay, was difficult. The decision to come out to my children, while scary, would prove to be rewarding and liberating. I wish to write to provide perspective on the process of determining when and how to come out to your children as a single father. This is not intended to be a self-help article for the closeted dad, but a unique way of looking at life, love and the pursuit of a happier and more fulfilling relationship with your kids. “Is he your boyfriend, dad?” my daughter asks as we sat down for dinner at our favorite restaurant. We love Olive Garden. Me with my glass of wine, the kids with their salad and breadsticks, best food ever! Mikenzy smiles at me and says, “it is time…let’s dance, Dad”. We often jump out of our seats in the middle of a restaurant or store just to put a smile on the faces OutBoisemag.com | Issue 14 | January 2016 by Gary Jensen of onlookers. We also want to make the older two kids blush. The moments I try to create with my kids are why they always say I am immature but that they love it. Months ago I made the decision to tell my children I was gay. The stress, worry and fear that crept over me was almost more than I could handle in the moments leading up to that night. What if they didn’t accept me? What if they wouldn’t want anyone to know who I truly am? How would our