Sibling rivalries

Caffection.com

Families are wonderful institutions, but they can be a pain in the neck. When it comes to marriage equality and LGBT issues feelings run pretty strong, even to the point that siblings can find themselves at odds, or worse. Sibling rivalry is as old as the alleged Cain & Abel story, and often more vicious. As straights, we can only imagine what it must be like to keep a gender identity issue quiet, or to come out to a family that is unaccepting. A year ago a friend of ours killed himself because of a failed relationship, and a convergence of problems exacerbated by the fact that he was gay. We have to wonder if Randy's family had simply accepted him, and loved him for who he was if he might still be around? In the terrific movie MILK, with Sean Penn, a fellow is challenged to come out to his dad. The argument was simple: unless everyone knows a gay person, especially siblings and family, the old myths and prejudices will persist.