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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:
SleepingBunnies21 · 09/09/2021 11:05

Being bipolar does'nt make you seek out same sex sexual interactions/encounters, if you're not attracted to same sex.

Lampzade · 09/09/2021 12:13

Leave now. It will save you years of heartache, believe me

wewereliars · 09/09/2021 12:22

I think you're still being lied to OP a GP is unlikely to diagnose depression, though may refer to a psychiatrist, especially not in one short appointment.

He is not happy with his sexuality and is using you as cover by the looks of things.

Start again with some one who does not have all these issues, which he hid from you before you married him.

SealHouse · 09/09/2021 13:38

@ClaudiaWinkleHam

"Nope"

Yep. I'm not getting into it with you. You are entitled to believe in whatever voodoo you wish - I personally prefer to stick to biology, science and fact.

OP, Your husband is seeking sexual encounters with men. Even if you can forgive/work through the cheating aspect of his behaviour, could you live comfortably with the knowledge that you may not be what he truly desires sexually or that your marriage may be a cover for him because he cannot - for whatever reason - accept his true sexuality?

Crikeyalmighty · 09/09/2021 14:14

The fact is it doesn’t matter if he wants to get his kicks contacting trans gender people or other women or men - you simply aren’t enough for him — these are hook up sites , they are not porn- they are designed to chat and meet. . if he was just wanting to get his rocks off to that kind of porn he wouldn’t need Grindr (not that I personally would be remotely ok with that either) —he may well be bi polar - but that doesn’t excuse disloyal shitty behaviour on his part and you don’t have to grin and bear it because they are behaving appallingly to you

LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone · 09/09/2021 16:56

@ClaudiaWinkleHam of course a trans woman is really a man.
If in 500 years an archaeologist digs up the bones of a trans woman they are NOT going to come to the conclusion that that person was a woman. A quick glance at the pelvis and a DNA test will quickly determine that body belonged to a man. Even if it's still wearing pink.

Drinkingallthewine · 09/09/2021 17:19

Hang on - he's not had any kind of diagnosis yet, correct? Just a chat with the GP?

So if so he can't say with any certainty that an illness he's not been diagnosed with has caused him to download a gay hookup app.

Several people here who do have experience of BPD here have indicated that his story isn't quite adding up. Honestly, unless he gets an official diagnosis from someone appropriately qualified to diagnose and treat BPD I'd be sceptical. And if that proof doesn't come through, then you are left with someone who is a common garden-variety cheater.

Ourlady · 09/09/2021 17:26

He married you to use as his beard.
His depression is a result of his unhappiness caused by trying to hide his real sexual preferences.
His drinking is a result of his unhappiness caused by trying to hide his real sexual preferences.(and the drink driving is unforgivable )
He is using you and you can never make him change. He likes men not women.

SleepingBunnies21 · 09/09/2021 17:28

Honestly, unless he gets an official diagnosis from someone appropriately qualified to diagnose and treat BPD I'd be sceptical. And if that proof doesn't come through, then you are left with someone who is a common garden-variety cheater.

He's a common garden variety cheater whether he gets a bpd diagnosis or not. It isn't bpd that's causing him to cheat (if not physically).

And even if bpd was causing him to cheat ... why would that mean op should accept that in her relationship/marriage/life; noone should have to.

Op.seens to have disappeared in any case, thus must ge very very hard to process a few months after getting married; she provably feels like she'll look like a failure if she seoarates so soon after the wedding. It isn't her failure however, its his.

SleepingBunnies21 · 09/09/2021 17:29

Sorry about all the typos.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 09/09/2021 17:31

It never ceases to amaze me how many men behave badly and their wives are so quick to believe they are bipolar , autistic or depressed!

SpilltheTea · 09/09/2021 17:58

It sounds like he is in some serious denial about his sexuality. The 'Oh maybe he has bipolar' is not relevant. Blaming everything under the sun on mental illness is why we can't get rid of stigmas. He wants to cheat with a male.

Joystir59 · 09/09/2021 18:01

He says he isn't into men but he's sexually interested in transwomen. In other words, men. Don't you want someone who is only sexually interested in you?. This is a new marriage and you are already not being centred in his life.

miltonj · 09/09/2021 18:07

Downloading Grindr when you're drunk Is not a mental illness.

Chocaholic9 · 09/09/2021 18:19

I am guessing the "experience in Thailand" was with a prostitute. That alone rings alarm bells.

Strangevipers · 09/09/2021 18:31

Cheater ! If he hasn't done it yet he will and then he will blame his mental health if you ever catch him !

Stay strong, but I would RUN! It's not even like he's looking to meet other woman he's looking and trans people. He obviously like trans people which is fine but you are not trans how can you compete ?

BrilliantBetty · 09/09/2021 18:34

Sounds like a pack of lies to me, but even if it is somehow to do with mental illness.. it doesn't mean you have to accept it.
And just because you're married doesn't mean you have to stick beside someone till death do you part... he has broken your trust. It's your life and it's not just about him, you have to be well & happy too.

BrilliantBetty · 09/09/2021 18:40

Also if he was looking for trans women would Grindr really be the best place to find? It is a gay dating app. Men for men.
Either way he is looking to shag someone else. With a penis.

Loanne12 · 09/09/2021 19:43

How to you just "happen" to find your partner on grindr? You must of been questioning his sexuality before all of this came to light, clearly the red flags where there Hmm

Haffiana · 09/09/2021 20:28

I think this relationship could work.

Husband will fuck men in frocks 'cos helpless and compelled by 'mental illness', and OP will stand by him 'cos being his support & saviour is more exciting and attractive than a proper adult relationship.

It takes all sorts.

SarahBellam · 09/09/2021 21:12

@miltonj

Downloading Grindr when you're drunk Is not a mental illness.
I've just checked DSM V and downloading Grindr is definitely not a symptom of bipolar.
Skyla2005 · 09/09/2021 21:13

@miltonj

Downloading Grindr when you're drunk Is not a mental illness.
I agree. That is a total cover story. Only reason a man goes on grinder is to meet gay men. Full stop
Drinkingallthewine · 10/09/2021 10:03

Why do women bend over backwards to accept stories that clearly don't ring true?

He's gay. He doesn't want to admit it even to himself. Any mental health issues he has is very likely caused by the conflict in his mind of being attracted to men when he doesn't want to be.

He had an encounter years ago with someone who was more than likely a sex worker and has fantasised about it ever since - to the point of breaking his wedding vows months after he made them.

He married so now that he has a wife he feels that he's got the straight persona he wants sorted so feels free to indulge in his fantasy behind her back.

Sleeping bunnies is right - it's cheating whatever way he tries to dress it up or excuse it.

CUniverse · 10/09/2021 14:30

@ClaudiaWinkleHam

They are Trans women. They identify as women, but they are not cis gendered women. They are transexual.
I think it is important for the OP to realise that her partner is looking to be fulfilled sexually in a way she can't fulfil, because she is not Trans. Being sexually attracted to a woman is not quite the same as 'having a thing" for trans women. Typically, those attracted to Trans women like them because they still have a penis.

Maybe with full sexual reassignment it could be different, who knows.

hufffflufff · 10/09/2021 14:36

It does sound as though it could be linked to the bipolar, it makes people do all sorts of mad impulsive things. That said, knowing a close friend in a relationship with a bipolar diagnosed person makes me think that alone would make me think long and hard about staying with this person. It is not an easy life and can be very traumatic and distressing for you as a partner!! I would be very very wary.