Should I talk to my niece about her being gay?

[687]

My niece grew up with her mom and step-dad. So she had visitation with our side of the family. I've always been the fun aunt. She's come to me about her experiences with drugs and drinking (she's 19). She has all of our side, including me, blocked from her facebook. Our side of the family is very conservative, we're religious, etc. My boyfriend went onto her facebook (she doesn't have him as a friend), and it turns out my niece is an atheist (she's in a few college groups), and she's been dating a girl for the past two years.

She's told me she has a boyfriend, but said she won't tell anyone on our side of the family because we're all very close and most of our family talks (nobody knows she's dating anyone). But everything she's told me about her "boyfriend" is consistent with everything on her facebook about her "girlfriend".

So, I take her on vacations, and we're going to California in May. Should I reach out to her and let her know I know her "bf" is really a girlfriend, and I'm okay with it?!? I think she needs at least one person on our side of the family to be okay with it (idk how others would feel...but at least she would have me).

[Pearl L]

tell her whatever you want

[820]

As long as you definitely have your facts straight I think this is a good idea. It's always good to have support, especially since she is obviously afraid to tell the truth about her girlfriend. It would be lovely for her to know that someone is on her side.

[Amanda]

You could, this is a hard situation. Some people want to be able to come out in their own time. But she may feel like she doesn't know how you'll handle it.. I'd say to bring it up casually, if I were her I wouldn't be offended, I'd be relieved But everyone is different, just be prepared for every possible outcome.