Just Tell the Truth: Questions Families Ask When Gay Married Men Come Out [Paperback]

Terry L. Norman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

Just Tell the Truth is about the thousands of gay men in America who enter heterosexual marriages, father children, and remain quietly in the closet until the day they voluntarily disclose their true gender orientation. Its purpose is to provide clear, conscise answers to the questions families ask when gay married men come out. In a broader sense, however, this book should prove helpful to anyone seeking to understand the journey toward orientational authenticity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Just Tell the Truth is many things, but it is always personal and personable. In its introductory chapter, it is autobiographical and self-analytical ... Norman, using his own life, illustrates and personalizes his advice and conclusions in a comforting voice. -- Pitch Weekly

About the Author

Dr. Terry L. Norman is a licensed professional counselor with over twenty years of experience in private practice. He voluntarily disclosed his own gay orientation in 1990 after two decades of heterosexual marriage and the fathering of three children. He is also an ordained United Methodist minister. Dr. Norman took early retirement from the church in 1990, and now works exclusively with gay married men, their wives and families. Dr. Norman is also a contributing author to the book, The Loyal Opposition, published by Abingdon Press (2000).

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: Prehension Pubns; 1 edition (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966479602
• ISBN-13: 978-0966479607
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #985,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction > Coming Out

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gay Married Man's Perspective - Well Told, September 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Tell the Truth: Questions Families Ask When Gay Married Men Come Out (Paperback)

In this honest and deeply personal portrayal, Dr. Norman organizes his book around the questions and answers that family members and friends might have in trying to understand men in their lives who come out after being married. Dr. Norman brings to the table his years of experience and training as a minister, theologian, and practicing psychologist.

Having gone through this exact same struggle over the past five years, it was very helpful for me to see that another man had had such similar thoughts and feelings as he struggled to love and accept himself in order to live. He explains the process many men go through and adds his own personal experience both as a gay man who came out after years of hiding in a straight marriage, as well as his years of counseling experience in listening to the stories of others.

Anyone interested in hearing what these men think and feel, should read this book. I will recommend it to my friends and family so that they might understand just how hard the past few years have been and so that they might learn that my coming out was literally a choice of life over death.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help when there is no where else to turn..., January 27, 2004

By 

Eric Hardy (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Tell the Truth: Questions Families Ask When Gay Married Men Come Out (Paperback)

I think it's easy to dismiss this title because the subject matter is difficult/distasteful for many people. However, for those of us who grew up in church, for those of us who want to make it through the dark passages of our secret lives, for those of us who see no possible way to manage the incongruencies of marriage and homosexual orientation, Terry Norman offers his story.

No one in my world wanted to have a candid discussion with me. No one was equipped to compassionately answer my desperate questions. No one, that is, except Terry Norman. I needed this book and found it at the right time. I hope others will find it too.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE best of ALL the gay self-help books I read..., December 10, 2004

By 

Brian Townsend (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Tell the Truth: Questions Families Ask When Gay Married Men Come Out (Paperback)

I probably read 50 different books about coming out and reconciling my spiritual life with new gay life. This book was a tremendous help and comfort to me. The author is so sincere and revealing. He really gives you a glimpse into his inner most heart. I have bought about 6 of these books and given them to friends who were struggling with coming out and dealing with the "Christian" upbringing. They do NOT have to conflict. God is a God of love and healing and this book really helped me so much. Thank you!