I actually like Maria Bello's work. I just read about the Times piece on MSN. The blurb MSN published was about the talk she had with her son, and how she was reading her journals from way back when that detailed all of her relationships, and how they inspired her to "decide" to enter a romantic relationship with the best friend. I don't think you just decide to enter a same-sex relationship just like that, though it's more likely for a woman than a man. I think she's always been attracted to women, and simply fought it all her life. Now that maybe men aren't hollering at her like they did before, and she's simply tired of fighting, it's safe to just go with it now.
"The best kind of pride is that which compels a man to do his best when no one is watching."