1. Who actually needs to know
Not everyone in the family needs a formal announcement. Information is not a social debt.
Together, identify three groups: likely allies, neutral people and people who pose a risk. The strategy changes for each one.
2. Agreements before the gathering
Choose an exit phrase for uncomfortable moments and agree on a signal between you to end a conversation.
An adult in the household takes on the role of a shield: responding to intrusive comments so the young person doesn't have to do it alone.
3. Firm and brief responses
“That's their business, not a topic for the table.” “In this home we show respect.” Short statements bring things to a close better than debates.
Firmness is not aggression. It means making the boundary clear and maintaining it consistently.