I took the fear of marriage from my parents' relationship because I didn't want to end up in a relationship like that whereas my brothers and sisters learnt a lesson from it and made sure they didn't carry it on into their own marriages.
A lot of people seem to want to make the institution of marriage substitute for a real relationship.
It's only fair that stable gay relationships of long standing should have the same rights and responsibilities as married couples. I know the image of gay marriage is to some people horrific and ludicrous.
I think long-lasting healthy relationships are more important than the idea of marriage. At the root of every successful marriage is a strong partnership.
I've exchanged messages and photos of an explicit nature with about six women over the last three years. For the most part these communications took place before my marriage though some have sadly took place after. To be clear I have never met any of these women or had physical relationships at any time.
I honestly believe you can never tell if a relationship is going to last. In my own marriage which is going on 14 years I don't think of it as 'I'm going to be with this person forever.' Instead I think of more like 'I'll probably be with this person for the next six weeks. Then I'll re-evaluate.'
My relationship with Dean was great but ultimately it wasn't a fulfilling marriage for either of us.
Every society in the history of man has upheld the institution of marriage as a bond between a man and a woman. Why? Because society is based on one thing: that society is based on the future of the society. And that's what? Children. Monogamous relationships.
I believe I went through a divorce. My relationship with Ellen is no less significant as a marriage than my relationship to Coley.
My parents had a great marriage. Interestingly it made it harder for me in relationships because I knew what a good relationship looked like.