Concerned Friend

My friend’s parents have been divorced for years, but she just found out her dad is gay. She says she’s OK with it, but I don’t think she is. I’m pretty sure she feels different about her dad. What can I do to comfort her?

Dear Concerned Friend,

Just listening without judging or gossiping is helpful. If you think your friend wants to talk, say, “You must have complicated feelings about this.” If she doesn’t open up, respect her right to be discreet. It’s not always easy to accept when a family secret is revealed. It will take time for your friend to absorb and get comfortable with these new circumstances.

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