Actress Maria Bello has written an essay about being a member of the LGBT community. In her essay for the New York Times , Bello has come out publicly for the first time, as she describes how she introduced a modern family to her 12-year-old son Jackson.
Her essay, titled, “Coming Out as a Modern Family” was published on November 29, and outlines the events of how she spoke candidly with her son Jackson about her relationship with another woman. Said woman is best friend, Clare Munn, who she describes as a “Godmother” to her 12-year-old son.
“We had an immediate connection but didn’t think of it as romantic or sexual. She was one of the most beautiful, charming, brilliant and funny people I had ever met, but it didn’t occur to me, until that soul-searching moment in my garden, that we could perhaps choose to love each other romantically.”
Bello decided to tell Jackson about her sexual preference when her son asked if there was anything she was hiding from him. That simple question eventually snowballed into Bello’s brave response. Bello describes the moment:
“He looked at me for what seemed like an eternity and then broke into a huge, warm smile. ‘Mom, love is love, whatever you are,’ he said with wisdom beyond his years. (Yes, he obviously attends one of those progressive schools in Los Angeles!)
I loved him so much for saying that. ‘But Jack, I’m a little scared,’ I said. ‘When I was younger, people judged you if you were in a romantic relationship with a person of the same sex, and some still do. So I’m not sure how to deal with this. But we’ll figure it out together.’
Previously Bello had dated men, such as TV executive Dan McDermott, who is the father of her son Jackson. Of their “Modern Family”, Bello continued:
“As I write this, we’re basking in the afterglow of Dan’s 50th birthday party that Clare, Jackson, and I gave, which was attended by his family and mine and many other people I consider partners in one aspect of my life or another. It was a room of celebration and unconditional love.”
In celebration of her coming out, Maria Bello posted a personal photo of her lovely family, including ex Dan, son Jackson, and her partner Claire.
Giving thanks for my modern family. Happy thanksgiving for whatever kind of family you have. @nytimes pic.twitter.com/Mty9FPNHh4
— maria bello (@maria_bello) November 30, 2013
[Image Credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com ]
