Hi everyone, I’m a 23-year-old gay man currently dealing with pressure from my family to stay into a marriage I don’t want, and they forced me into it. The expectation is coming from cultural and religious traditions, and while I understand where they’re coming from, it feels like I’m losing control of my own life.
They frame it as “what’s best for me,” but I’ve made it clear I don’t want this. Despite that, the pressure keeps coming—guilt, manipulation, even threats of being disowned. It’s affected my mental health in ways I didn’t expect. I feel trapped, alone, and voiceless.
After searching Reddit, I noticed there wasn’t a specific space for people in this situation. So, I created r/ForcedMarriageSupport — a safe, anonymous community for anyone dealing with forced marriage, coercive family pressure, or cultural expectations that take away our right to choose.
It’s still brand new, but I wanted to reach out here for two reasons:
To ask for advice: Has anyone else been through something like this? How did you cope or find help?
To offer a space: If you or someone you know is dealing with this, r/ForcedMarriageSupport is open and judgment-free.
I’m just one person trying to create what I wish I had when I was at my lowest. Any feedback on the subreddit or how to keep it safe and supportive would mean a lot.
TLDR: 23M pressured into a marriage I don’t want. Started r/ForcedMarriageSupport as a support space for others facing the same. Looking for advice, support, and suggestions.
Comments
I don’t have much to offer in terms of specific advice for your circumstances. But I think you already know that “what’s best for you” really means “what’s best for the family’s social position”. So you aren’t crazy for feeling this way.
Good luck with the subreddit, I’m sure you’ll find lots of people who need support and want to share experiences.
If there is a religious aspect to the pressure, you may be able to find a sympathetic religious figure that can help you navigate your way out of this marriage and talk to your parents. But I’m afraid that it is time that you put your foot down for your sake and for the long-term happiness of the girl as well, even if she doesn’t it this way at the moment. Good luck.