Bryan Egnew

Bryan Egnew, who I worked with and knew reasonably well, committed suicide two weeks ago:

Mormon Bryan Michael Egnew, 40, a Mormon who kept his homosexuality closely guarded secret for many years committed suicide after he was excommunicated by his church and ostracized by friends and relatives for finding the courage to come out about his homosexuality.

Bryan Michael Egnew  married his Mormon wife Amy in a Mormon Temple, but he had been engaged in private battle for years over his homosexuality while outwardly living up to church expectations of strict heterosexuality. Egnew confessed his homosexuality to his family and church last month. The reaction from church and family confirmed his fears. His wife Amy immediately took their five children and drove them to Tennessee and refused to see Egnew. His parents and family withdrew from him and the church excommunicated him.

Egnew, unable to cope with isolation, committed suicide on September 10, 2011. His family and church tried to hide the facts about the circumstances of his death and his obituary made no reference to the fact that he was gay.