Rosie and Kelli “remain a family”

We’ve heard rumblings about trouble between Rosie O’Donnell and her partner Kelli Carpenter O'Donnell for months, but both have kept quiet about the rumors until Tuesday.

In an interview with USA Today, Rosie addressed the status of her relationship with Kelli, saying:

“We are a family. We will remain a family forever. And we are working on our issues.”

The two have been together for more than 12 years and were married in San Francisco in 2004. They have four children: Parker, 14, Chelsea, 12, Blake, 9 and Vivi, 6.

On her blog, Rosie has hinted at relationship difficulty from time to time, but hey, relationships are hard under the best of circumstances. Under the light of public scrutiny, I can’t imagine how difficult it would be.

Now, however, the problems seem to be more serious. But as always, the welfare of the kids is a priority to the couple.

"Kelli and I love each other very much and we are working on our issues. Those are the only words I am ever going to say. Ever. And that is something that has been agreed upon by all parties," she said, tears collecting in her eyes. "But everything's fine and everybody's good and we're still both raising them together. We will both continue to parent them and we're friendly and everything's all right."

Rosie and Kelli have been at the forefront of the quest for the right to marry and we want to be among their strongest supporters as they work through their issues. Join me in wishing them well.