2017 National Coming Out Day Book - Final v2

and his anger melted away and we could talk about regular sibling-type things. I even asked him who his “type” was – Will or Jack? “Will,” he said. We had a relationship again, one that has grown over the years since. I didn’t know how to have a conversation with my brother back in high school and college, but I’ve since learned that in order for someone to trust you, you must first create that environment of trust. If I share my ally status and share my story, perhaps I will be the one trusted and perhaps there will be one less person to struggle with feeling unsupported the way my brother did. This year Erik married Bryan in Hawaii, and I was so proud to be able to share that beautiful experience with my husband and two young children. Erik, I will always stand by you and stand up for you. That’s what big sisters do.

Janine Fountain

Erik is the tall, handsome one on the left!

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