If you love him and you plan to stick by him the only thing you can do is tell your family and show them that the things they THINK about sex offenders and the truth is not the same - there are multiple studies out there that dispute everything the politicians and media say - you can find many posts in the history of this forum that include links to articles and studies. - did they like him before they found out? If yes point out to him that he is still the same human that they liked - if they never liked him it really does not matter - nothing will change their minds. Ask them why they are upset and I guarantee you the will start saying things that are false and stereo-types about RSOs - be ready to answer those things and show them facts with reputable studies

I'm so sorry...I feel your pain. Eventually I told my parents and one of my siblings about my husband. I told them because I felt they would handle it alright. And they did, but they were shocked. I only told one of my siblings because I feel the others would not handle the truth very well. I don't care for this part of our lives, it has ruined a lot of things. But when you do find even just one person who excepts him and loves him still - it is so relieving to be honest with the ones you love. I hope you find someone who understands. At least you know that we here on this site understand.

I know how you are feeling. I also keep this secret from my family and friends because I know how many of them would react and what they would think. Just the label "sex offender" brings up all kinds of horrible visuals and they will always assume the worst. I struggle with my secret all the time because I am an honest person and always want to be honest with my family and friends but I also know the fall out would not be worth it. I have only told one person in my family about my bfs past and things he has struggled with and that is because I know this person would never judge me or him and will always support me regardless if they agree with my choices. I also had to talk to someone because it was eating away at me and there are some things you cant hide, but then I found this site.
You're bf seems like he has been totally honest with you which is hugely important and the fact that he was man enough to call and explain to your parents is beyond commendable. I know family is important and that you don't want to lose them but you also have to do what is best for you. You love this man and only you know what kind of man he truly is and you have your eyes wide open. If you love him and want this to work then as hard as it is you may have to stay away from family for awhile. They may try to understand in time or they may never be willing to try but your happiness is important and it is your life. I just found this site last week and I can not tell you how helpful the people can be on here. For all of us that struggle with someone that is an SO this site is so so important and lets you know you are not alone.

I can relate to both your stories....ck1211 and laundrygirl21. I had only shared with two family members the fact that my bf was a RSO. We have been dating for 4 years and just bought a house and moved in together a year and a half ago. They didn't seem concerned and visited our home a few times with their 5 year old son. My bf was cordial but never extremely friendly with children in general. Because of his "status", he kept to himself and kept himself from being around children. I wasn't aware of anything stipulating that there were to be no kids around him. One day, my bf and myself went to visit these two family members and while at their house the 5 year old kept calling out for my bf to look at him jumping on the bed. The whole time my bf was standing outside the door to the bedroom where the kid was, his physical body never went inside the room and he was out in the open. The 5 year old said in front of his mom that my bf had asked him to pull his pants down. Him mom was one of the 2 that knew and so she immediatly reacted feeling that it had to be true because of my bf's "status". In private we asked the child if it was true and the child then said it wasn't, he said that it was another child that was in the room with him that said it. The childs uncle also asked him if it was true and he told the uncle that it was not true. The other of the 2 family members that knew from the start, exposed my bf's status to everyone in the family that night and the next day and about a week later 3 of them ended up pressing charges at the same time. My bf has an alibi for every date provided by the accusers and in addition I know for a fact he was never alone with any of the children that have supposedly made the accusations. We are now the victims of the hysteria caused by this family member who convinced the others that my bf is a monster. The family member who exposed his information was never a real fan of my bf although the rest of the family loved him. This was this family members chance to do something to my bf. He was arrested and then sent to a rehabilitation center. I have not had any contact with my family members since the arrest, except for contact with one of my siblings who lives in another state. This sibling is aware of the extremes this family member would go through to get their way. I have chosen to stay and work through whatever comes. He never gave me a reason to doubt him and he was honest from the very beginning about his RSO status. I still have the support of his family, a very dear friend of mine and one of my siblings.