Infidelity Expert Directs Attention to the Other Side of Brokeback Mountain
Released on = March 23, 2006, 1:38 pm
Press Release Author = Lifestyle Publications
Industry = Entertainment
Press Release Summary = Infidelity expert Ruth Houston hopes the DVD release of Brokeback Mountain next month will direct attention to a seldom-discussed side of this controversial film.
Press Release Body = The Oscar-winning, Brokeback Mountain, described by most people as a gay love story or a gay cowboy romance will be released on DVD next month. But infidelity expert Ruth Houston has a different perspective on this controversial film.
"I view it as a movie about infidelity," says Houston, " Same sex infidelity. The two main characters, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar are gay / bisexual married men with families, who are cheating on their wives. Maybe 3 Oscars and an early DVD release will encourage people to take a closer look at this underlying theme. Infidelity is still infidelity - even when the "Other Woman" is another man. Yet few people have expressed any sympathy for the plight of the Brokeback wives."
No Sympathy for Brokeback Wives
Houston, the author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs and the founder of Infidelity Advice.com says, "It disturbs me that most of the controversy about Brokeback Mountain centers around the homosexual theme of this movie, while so little attention is being given to the same-sex infidelity it portrays. I'm really surprised that so few people have voiced concern or even acknowledged the fact that the Brokeback wives are victims of same-sex infidelity.\"
"Most people aren't even aware that this movie has a modern day parallel," says Houston. "The situation portrayed in Brokeback Mountain is a reality for many unsuspecting women who are married to, or in relationships with men who are secretly having sex with other men."
Not an uncommon situation
"Same sex infidelity is not an uncommon situation." observes Houston. "It's common enough to have spawned a national organization with 74 branches, several books on the topic, and over 2 dozen websites, discussion lists, and support groups for those who find themselves in this situation."
Houston cites the following statistics: According to Amity Pierce Buxton, executive director of the Straight Spouse Network, an estimated 2 million gay / bisexual people are married to a straight partner.
According to the Family Pride Coalition, 20 percent of all gay men in America are in heterosexual marriages, and many of them have children.
At least half of all gay men in America have fathered children.
An estimated 3.5 million children are born to mixed orientation couples.
Wives are the last to know
Like the wives in Brokeback Mountain, many of these women have no idea their husbands are involved in same sex affairs. Most gay/bisexual men, like Jack and Ennis in Brokeback Mountain, are still "in the closet."
"As is typical with most types of infidelity", says Houston, the unsuspecting victim is usually the last to know. Some women never find out." Those who do find out, are traumatized by the dual deception. They are hard-pressed to say which is worse - the infidelity itself, or the fact that it occurred with another man.
Says Houston, "Many of these women blame themselves for not picking up signs of some kind, yet they have no idea what signs they should have seen."
Spotting the Signs of Same Sex Infidelity
Houston, who has spent 11 years studying and documenting signs of infidelity says, "I've had a sufficient number of inquiries from my readers and website visitors to warrant the compilation of a 2-part tip sheet on how to spot the signs of same sex infidelity. I call it The Same Sex 16."
Like Jack and Ennis in Brokeback Mountain, gay / bisexual married men become so adept at hiding their secret lives, that it's not easy for their wives to find out. "Knowing what to look for is the key," says Houston, "Especially since most of the signs are subtle and easily overlooked.
Houston's Same Sex infidelity tip sheet is free to anyone who requests it by e-mailing InfidelityAdvice@gmail.com with the words "Same Sex 16" in the subject line.
The Health Consequences
"In addition to the shock and humiliation, women who are victims of same sex infidelity also have to deal with the health consequences of the situation," says Houston. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that men who have sex with men are more at risk for having HIV. Their secret lifestyles increase the likelihood that they\'ll become infected with HIV/AIDS and pass it on to their unsuspecting mates.
Can these Marriages Survive?
What hope is there for a marriage where one spouse is straight and the other is bisexual or gay? Amity Pierce Buxton, who has studied thousands of "mixed orientation" couples since the 1980's, says that approximately a third of these couples separate immediately. Another third stay together for a few years, struggling to work things out, but end up separating anyway. The last third of these marriages survive because the couples negotiate various arrangements in order to make their marriages work. Some remain monogamous, some become celibate, others resort to an open marriage.
A New Awareness of Same Sex Infidelity? Houston concludes, " Brokeback has already earned nearly $81 million in the U.S. alone. Hopefully, 3 Oscars, 4 Golden Globe Awards and an early DVD release will encourage its many viewers to consider the other side of Brokeback Mountain. The plight of the Brokeback wives is a situation that deserves a closer look."
About Ruth Houston:
Infidelity expert Ruth Houston is the author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs, which documents practically every known sign of infidelity. Houston is frequently called on by the media to comment on infidelity- related breaking news, celebrity infidelity, high profile infidelity cases, and popular infidelity issues.
She has been quoted in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, the Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, the Toronto Sun, the Houston Chronicle, New York Newsday, the Christian Science Monitor, Crain's New York Business, MSN Lifestyle, iVillage, Netscape, Newhouse News Service, United Press International, Reuters, Google News, Yahoo News, and numerous other print and online media.
Ruth has been a guest on The Today Show, Good Day New York, Telemundo, BBC, CBC, 1010WINS, TalkAmerica and over 200 radio and TV talk shows in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, New Zealand, and the Caribbean.
To interview Ruth Houston call 718 592-6039 or e-mail InfidelityExpert@gmail.com
For more information about Ruth, her book, or infidelity, visit the PRESS ROOM at www.InfidelityAdvice.com.
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