Maria Bello reveals longtime girlfriend in column

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Actress Maria Bello, whom you might recognize from Prisoners, Coyote Ugly and A History of Violence, opened up about her love life in a recent New York Times "Modern Love" column called "Coming Out as a Modern Family."

In the column, the 46-year-old described the moment she told Jack, her 12-year-old son with ex-husband Dan McDermott, that she was in a relationship with her best friend, a woman named Clare.

"How would it affect my son? He trusted Clare. He loved her. He had never met most of the men I had been in love with and had no idea I had been with a woman as well," Bello said she wondered. "Second, how would it affect my career? I have never defined myself by whom I slept with, but I know others have and would."

"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," Bello said of her son.

She also recalled coming out to her "traditional" family in Philadelphia.

My father’s response came between puffs of his cigar while we sat on the roof of a casino in Atlantic City. “She’s a good girl, good for you,” he said. My mother and family echoed his sentiments. Maybe they weren’t so traditional after all.

Bello went on to describe her "modern family," one that involves her partner, her son and her ex-husband.

Jack's father, Dan, will always be my partner because we share Jack. Dan is the best father and the most wonderful man I've known. Just because our relationship is nonsexual doesn't make him any less of a partner. We share the same core values, including putting our son first. My more recent ex, Bryn, remains my partner because we share our activism. And Clare will always be my partner because she is also my best friend.

Bello currently stars in the FOX drama Touch.

[New York Times]