Diversity Policy

In our missions of Healing and Reaching Out:

It is the intent and goal of the Straight Spouse Network to serve the straight persons who are or have been in mixed orientation relationships – offering support to individuals as they work to find positive outcomes in unique situations.

The diversity of this constituency is multidimensional. Straight spouses/partners are found in all walks of life –- encompassing differences in race, cultural and ethnic background, language, nationality, religion, economic status, age, education, marital status, and more. Any of these may produce its own variation in the way being a straight spouse is experienced and interpreted.

For the Straight Spouse Network cultural differences are but one aspect of the diversity of our constituents. The experiences and goals of individual straight spouses are so divergent that there can be no “standard” solution to our issues. As we offer support, the goals, issues, backgrounds, experiences, understandings, values, hopes, and beliefs of individuals are paramount.

We are committed to acknowledge, honor, and respect both the cultural and individual differences we encounter among those whom we serve; and we will strive to make these principles evident in all actions of the organization. It is thus incumbent upon all staff and volunteers of the Straight Spouse Network to:

• be sensitive to these differences;
• seek to understand the implications which they might have for an individual’s understanding of what constitutes “positive outcomes;” and
• seek ways to include persons who are not well represented in our active constituency.

It is our eventual goal for staff, board, and council to reflect this diversity –- always within the constraints of organizational needs and available expertise.

As part of our commitment to Building Bridges:

We will attempt to foster understanding of Straight Spouse issues among those in the LGBT community:

• recognizing that some Straight Spouses will choose to remain in relationships with their gay spouse;
• knowing how a gay spouse discloses and acts can make a profound difference in the experience of the Straight Spouse;
• aware that co-parenting issues are more easily resolved when there is understanding of viewpoints.

Board Approved: October 6, 2009