Anderson Cooper Confirms What We Have Long Suspected: ‘Fact is, I’m Gay’
Anderson Cooper, anchor of the CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360°, recently came out to columnist and Gay Rights Activist, Andrew Sullivan, of the Daily Beast. "The fact is, I'm gay, said the journalist, "always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself and proud."
Rumors about Cooper's sexual orientation have been swirling around the web for many years. But the CNN host never entertained them, because he believes his personal life shouldn't be part of the news, and that his audience should concentrate on his journalistic acumen instead.
"I've always believed that who a reporter votes for, what religion they are, who they love, should not be something they have to discuss publicly. As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn't matter," Anderson told Sullivan, "I've stuck to those principles for my entire professional career, even when I've been directly asked "the gay question," which happens occasionally. I did not address my sexual orientation in the memoir I wrote several years ago because it was a book focused on war, disasters, loss and survival. I didn't set out to write about other aspects of my life."
But why, despite his previous misgivings, has Cooper finally decided to confirm his sexuality? The silver-haired journalist felt by remaining mum on the subject, he was contributing to what he referred to as a "mistaken impression." He did not want to be perceived like he was " trying to hide something," something that would make him appear to be "uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid."
"This is distressing because it is simply not true," said the award-winning journalist.
Don't expect Cooper to continue to discuss his much publicized sexuality by making the media rounds. "I still consider myself a reserved person and I hope this doesn't mean an end to a small amount of personal space, he said. "But I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter's shield of privacy."
Cooper has received some much needed support from GLAAD President Herndon Graddick .
"Even prior to coming out publicly, Anderson's terrific work has raised awareness of inequalities facing LGBT people," he said. "I'm proud to call him my friend. He's a role model to millions and now will inspire countless others."
Anderson is not the only CNN journalist to have publicly acknowledged his sexuality. Last year, Don lemon declared, "I Was Born Gay, Just As I Was Born Black." "I'm scared," he admitted. "I'm talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for."
That fear was magnified because of his ethnicity. "It's quite different for an African-American male," he said. "It's about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You're taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. In the black community they think you can pray the gay away."