It is often a challenge to connect with someone who lives a life of lies and bottled secrets. As Bruce kept his secrets, He avoided any real type of connection with his children to preserve what he was hiding. Communication along with transparency, is often crucial for a healthy relationship, especially when it comes to family members. Through these lies, Alison Bechdel had a difficult time trying to figure out her identity along with her family's’ In a way, as she grew up she experienced emotion neglected and left to figure her life and identity on her own. Along with the family's secrets and lies, comes the feeling of shame. Bruce was ashamed to admit his gender identity as a gay man, and his wife was embarrassed to admit that her husband
