BUT - I don't think I'd appreciate being suddenly confronted with the discussion, when I wasn't ready. I'd feel "on the spot" to discuss it immediately if my daughter just suddenly, out of the blue, said "I'm gay."
I think that's why I've decided on a letter. That way when she feels ready to talk about it she can. Since I don't see her very often it would be hard to drop hints. I only see my mother twice a year, I'm also not really sure how to "hint" at it without just saying it.