Yesterday was an eventful day. I came out to my brother and sister, their spouses and also to my parents. I explained my feelings about my gender identity, my ongoing therapy and possible transition timeline in 2018. I was met with support and love. My sister even invited me as Caroline out for drinks as girls!
My wife of 14 years held my hand and was very supportive, even through it is hard for her. My wife is straight and is trying her best to cope with the situation. One big step today was when she suggested that she joins me (as Caroline) when I have drinks with my sister and maybe her husband.
My wife and I have also discussed long term consequences for our marriage. Although my wife loves me and fully understands that I need to be true to my gender identity, she does not feel attracted to me as a woman. We have therefore discussed a scenario in which we will continue to be married and raise our three kids in our large house. However, we might have separate bedrooms and have separate partners, even as live-ins. In that way we might not need to divorce.
I'm very interested in any statistics that might be available on the likelihood of a marriage to survive when a husband effectively becomes a wife. Any facts available? Qualified opinions?