His father was a half - closeted homosexual and treated Whittaker cruelly , while his mother was neurotic .
Chambers described his childhood as troubled because of his parents ' separation and their need to care for their mentally ill grandmother .
Chambers ' father was a half - closeted homosexual and treated Chambers cruelly , while his mother was neurotic .
Chambers described his childhood as troubled because of his parents ' separation and their need to care for their mentally ill grandmother .