Gay bello

Norristown native Maria Bello may be known for her roles in films such as “A History of Violence” and “The Cooler,” but she garnered considerable attention for her essay, “Coming Out as a Modern Family,” when it appeared in the “Modern Love” column in the New York Times. In the essay, Bello explained how she told her son Jack about her relationship with Clare, her best friend. His response: “Whatever, Mom, love is love.”

Bello uses this statement as the title of her new book, a collection of essays that question labels and persona. In a recent handset interview, Bello spoke about her life, work and family.

PGN: How did the success of your magazine story about being “whatever” change your life and visibility?

MB: After the Modern York Times article, I had so many people saying, “I’m a whatever” or “I have a whatever family.” It was a duty or responsibility; I think people crave to talk about labels to see if they empower us or disempower us. I am arrogant to be a part of the LGBTW group that fights to cherish whoever you love and marry who you wish to marry. “Whatever” identifies as anything. There is a lack of restriction. I see that with a lot of traditional labels, which