Share

Anderson Cooper: I'm gay and proud

Los Angeles - CNN presenter and journalist Anderson Cooper confirmed he is gay on Monday, saying he "couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud."

The 45-year-old TV host made the announcement in an e-mail to a journalist for The Daily Beast online who had asked Cooper to comment on the issue of celebrities coming out.

"Even though my job puts me in the public eye, I have tried to maintain some level of privacy in my life. Part of that has been for purely personal reasons," he wrote to journalist Andrew Sullivan.

"I think most people want some privacy for themselves and the people they are close to," he added in the e-mail, published on the British journalist's The Dish blog on the Daily Beast.

Privacy vs principle

But, said Cooper: "Recently... I've begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle.

"It's become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something - something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.

He continued: "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud."

Cooper is the main anchor of the daily news show Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN, but also had a syndicated daytime talk show, Anderson.

His comments came after a recent article in Entertainment Weekly highlighting an emerging trend for gay people in public life to come out in a more restrained way than in the past.

The CNN presenter said in his e-mail published on Monday: "I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues.

"In a perfect world, I don't think it's anyone else's business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted. I'm not an activist, but I am a human being and I don't give that up by being a journalist."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE