After sharing my “bidentity” with my family over the past several days, I made it public on Facebook today that I am bi. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at how free at last I feel!

Here is what I posted: “Hey y’all. Today is Pride Day, and it has become increasingly meaningful and important to me to claim my identity as a bisexual man. This has been a journey of over four decades of discernment and reflection, and I have definitely arrived at a place of peace and clarity. Coming out publicly to friends and family feels like a very important step in my journey. Bisexuals are often misunderstood and frankly often missing in discussions with and about LGBTQIA people.

Given everything that is going on in our world, I have come to believe that “silence is violence”, and for me to remain silent on this matter has begun to feel like violence against myself that I am no longer OK with. I believe bi voices need to be acknowledged, so I am speaking out and speaking up. I am in a very good place and very happy about my decision to come out. Many of you already know this as a part of who I am, but I just wanted to be able to “say it loud and say it proud” here on Facebook.

My friends and family (I make no real distinction between the two groups!) have all been incredibly supportive, especially my son [age 24] and daughter [age 21]. Sending out love and courage to all of you. Let’s all speak up and share love in this world that now, more than ever, needs truth-telling, healing, and justice. 🏳️‍🌈💝”