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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Husband on grindr

161 replies

jubilee456 · 08/09/2021 13:12

Hi,
I recently caught my husband on grindr, after being married less than 6 months. He says he only ever downloads it when he is drunk. We sat down and spoke about it and he says he had an experience in Thailand many years ago, and this found a new interest in trans women. He says he is not into men. I thought we were good, but admittedly we have always found it difficult to have deep, meaningful conversations.

On top of all of this, it has come to light that he may have bipolar, which would explain the impulsive and reckless decision making. He has been referred and waiting for a diagnosis.

I need advice. On one hand, I chose to marry this man in sickness and in health. If he is genuinely mentally ill, I want to support him. On the other hand, I feel deeply betrayed by his lies and talking to other people behind my back.

He is adamant that he has never once met up with any of these people as he's never had the balls to. But he says he does it for a sense of feeling wanted. He is saying he loves me and only wants me, but I now have serious doubts. What if this happens again in the future? I don't want a relationship where I feel the need to check up on my husband or have this constant worry of who he is texting.

He says his behaviour is fuelled by alcohol and has admitted he has a problem. He is willing to give it up. This addiction all ties in to the symptoms of bipolar and I just don't know which direction to go in, is this a sign telling me to walk? Or do I stay and support my husband irregardless of what he has done. Sad

OP posts:
PersonaNonGarter · 08/09/2021 13:15

You seem to expect a lot of yourself but not that much of him.

He’s done the lying, he should do the work, in theory.

In practice, I’d just leave and find a better relationship.

Tirediam · 08/09/2021 13:19

Walk! He wants to sleep with men/trans women

CuriousaboutSamphire · 08/09/2021 13:21

he says he had an experience in Thailand many years ago, and this found a new interest in trans women. That would ring alarm bells for me.

This addiction all ties in to the symptoms of bipolar Says who? Being attacted to men, transwomen, other people within a marriage, isn't a symptom of bi polar disorder. It's s symptom of a man who is considering cheating.

I think you need to step back a bit and see him from a wider angle.

And yes, where are YOU in all of that?

idontlikealdi · 08/09/2021 13:24

Why are you jumping to bipolar instead of fuckwit? Where's your self esteem right now?

Aprilx · 08/09/2021 13:27

No you do not “support” him through this, he is using mental health as an excuse for bad behaviour. Don’t waste any more time on this awful man who has no respect for you or your marriage.

Kittii · 08/09/2021 13:28

I'm not sure that either of you can be happy in this marriage in the long term. Agree with PersonaNonGarter that you seem to be expecting a lot from yourself and not much from him.

blaisealex · 08/09/2021 13:29

Um, that's disgusting behaviour and totally unacceptable. I couldn't stay with him, tbh and neither should you. You deserve better than a liar and a very high potential cheat.

HollowTalk · 08/09/2021 13:30

@PersonaNonGarter

You seem to expect a lot of yourself but not that much of him.

He’s done the lying, he should do the work, in theory.

In practice, I’d just leave and find a better relationship.

Exactly this.
Dragonpox · 08/09/2021 13:30

This is never going to work. He likes transwomen and has gone so far as to download an app to meet them. What will it take to leave him? A nasty STD?

The bipolar has nothing to do with it.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 08/09/2021 13:31

Run.

TheLittleRedToothbrush · 08/09/2021 13:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Coronawireless · 08/09/2021 13:33

This man should not have got married. He will make your life miserable and you owe him nothing.

SirSamuelVimes · 08/09/2021 13:34

Run away.

Journeyofthedragons · 08/09/2021 13:34

Grindr/Tinder whatever, simple case of partner wanting to cheat.

Molly2021 · 08/09/2021 13:36

OP I'm sorry but he told you the reason he didn't meet up with any of them was that "he didn't have the balls to" not even that it was a mistake and that he loves you so much to hurt you like that. The man is playing you like a fiddle.

Also, as someone genuinely diagnosed with Bipolar, impulsive reckless decision making - I mean, yes sometimes, but it's controllable, I would/ have never cheated on my partner and it certainly hasn't changed my sexual orientation and nor have I been driven to alcohol so this stigma on "Bipolar" needs to be re-looked at deeply and your husband needs to be held accountable for being an ass.

fluffiphlox · 08/09/2021 13:36

Run, run like the wind.

ittakes2 · 08/09/2021 13:40

Six months in you should be in the honeymoon phase. You are asking us what to do for a reason. Deep down you know.

rjacksmiss · 08/09/2021 13:40

Bipolar is an excuse. A bad one. Bipolar people know if they like cock or not.

Winemewhynot · 08/09/2021 13:40

He wants to have sex with men. Can you accept that? I couldn’t.

householdrmk · 08/09/2021 13:42

He says he's not into men yet is attracted to human beings with a penis. What he's saying makes no sense OP.

  • He downloads an app and checks out men
  • He only does it when drunk
  • It's an addiction
  • He's not gay

Can you see the contradictions there? He had gay sex in Thailand and it's gone from a drunken one off to an 'addiction'. He's either gay or bi OP and if he hasn't cheated, will cheat as he is downloading apps for gay sex.

I don't want a relationship where I feel the need to check up on my husband or have this constant worry of who he is texting.

Your options are: open up the relationship and set boundaries, let him have gay sex. Finish the relationship as I fear you may be a beard and find someone who is into you and hetero sex.

He's not keeping to the in sickness and in health vow OP so I write it off as a bad mistake and move on.

Queenoftheashes · 08/09/2021 13:44

Put yourself first

Potteringshed · 08/09/2021 13:44

I've got bipolar affective disorder and sexually risky behaviour and developing sudden out of character interests is a symptom of hypomania and mania - one of the key symptoms in my diagnosis was that I had a pattern of engaging in inappropriate and often extreme behaviour with people I'd later realize I didn't fancy at all. It's a horrible come down - waking up and realizing you've had sex you'd never normally want. So I disagree strongly that his interest has nothing to do work bipolar. It might not, but it may well do.

Having said that, if his behaviour isn't something you can cope with, I think it's irrelevant whether that behaviour is due to his illness or not. Bipolar can be a tricksy beast and managing it is likely to be a life long journey. He won't just take a pill and it all stops. Can I ask where he is in the journey? Has he seen a psychiatrist/started meds yet? Or is this just a "maybe"?

bigbaggyeyes · 08/09/2021 13:47

I think regardless if he's into men/women/transmen or the bin men, he downloaded an app designed for sexual experiences and didn't tell you. He's lied to you and done something he knows he shouldn't have. Pissed or not, bi polar or not he's not a nice man and he's betrayed your trust. Bi polar doesn't make people cheat ffs!

SpamThief · 08/09/2021 13:49

In sickness and in healthy my eye.

6 months in to your marriage and he's downloading gay hookup apps?

Walk.

Juno231 · 08/09/2021 13:50

I'd get out honestly. Being ill doesn't excuse cheating and lying and I guarantee he hasn't just "looked". You're letting yourself into a lifetime of hurt and disappointment I think.

Life is too short, be grateful he's shown his true colours only 6 months into marriage.