Reading pal's Facebook, she outs another

DEAR AMY: I am a 15-year-old girl. I have known my friend "James" for 10 years. We are close. We attend the same school and church. Our religion is against gay marriage. A few days ago, I was on Facebook but it was logged into my friend "Tiffany's" account. I didn't realize I was logged into her account until I read a message that James sent her. James told Tiffany that he was gay. He said he didn't know how to come out and tell other people. He was also slamming our religion. He has been called gay since sixth grade but always denied it. He seemed hurt by the accusation. I told my sister what I found out, and then she told my father. My dad told James' dad, and the whole thing got back to James. James now hates me and won't talk to me. He says that I shouldn't have been looking through Tiffany's messages, and that I should have kept the news about him to myself. I told him the whole story, but he doesn't believe me. Was I wrong for telling my sister? I still love James but I don't agree with his lifestyle. What can I do to fix our friendship?Sad Teen

DEAR TEEN: "James" is right. Though it is possible to be on Facebook under someone else's account without necessarily realizing it, you read your friend's private message and then, after you knew this message was private, you disclosed it to someone else.

When you are close friends with someone, you should take your personal questions and concerns directly to the friend.

James now doesn't have the option to make his own choice about how to talk about his private life because you and your family have made this choice for him.

You are young and you've made a mistake. The most you can do now is also the best thing to do -- always. Tell the truth. Acknowledge your mistake. Ask for forgiveness and hope it will be granted.