Mark, the second of my four sons, came out to his elder brother fourteen years ago. He was living in America at the time. It was just after his thirtieth birthday and he was very agitated and emotional. He had been living in America since my husband passed away nine years earlier.

Immediately I telephoned him and told him to return home, which he did. To know that his brothers and myself supported him gave him a more positive outlook on his life. You see, he didn't want to be gay or different from his brothers.

Mark said he had known since he was very young and carried his secret into adulthood but could no longer live a lie.

Of course, it was a shock as I and my sons had no idea of his sexuality and it saddened us to realise that all the years growing up he had this secret. I felt like many other Jewish parents - "who can I tell or talk to". Fourteen years ago there was no organisation that I knew of. I made enquiries at the time from my doctor who could give little help. I loved my son, he was the same lovely boy as he always was.

As time passed by, I gradually told my family and a few friends; most were supportive. It was impossible to speak to my Rabbi as the position of the United Synagogue was to ignore the issue.

Then about six years ago, Richard Morris, Mavis and Ken's son, telephoned me. He had read a letter which the Jewish Chronicle had published in which I came out as a Jewish mother and wanted to know if I would be interested in stating a support group which his parents had told him they would like to do. Richard was great and got a few couples together- then followed the birth of the Support Group for Parents of Jewish Gays and Lesbians.

How wonderful are our meetings; so many parents have come to us and have been able to talk freely and learn from our experiences, when before they had felt so alone. Now we all help each other. New parents come to our meetings and within a short while-mostly- know they are amongst friends. Of course, some take longer than others to come to terms, but eventually they do.

I bless Richard for instigating such a group. We give each other confidence and support and in that way help and support our children. Long may our Support Group continue.

Myrna