NaTaS+ 958 Posted July 3, 2012 via DailyBeat.com Well, he says he's happy and healthy. That's all we can hope from a person [Re-posted from earlier today.] Last week, Entertainment Weekly ran a story on an emerging trend: gay people in public life who come out in a much more restrained and matter-of-fact way than in the past. In many ways, it's a great development: we're evolved enough not to be gob-smacked when we find out someone's gay. But it does matter nonetheless, it seems to me, that this is on the record. We still have pastors calling for the death of gay people, bullying incidents and suicides among gay kids, and one major political party dedicated to ending the basic civil right to marry the person you love. So these "non-events" are still also events of a kind; and they matter. The visibility of gay people is one of the core means for our equality. All of which is a prelude to my saying that I've known Anderson Cooper as a friend for more than two decades. I asked him for his feedback on this subject, for reasons that are probably obvious to most. Here's his email in response which he has given me permission to post here: Andrew, as you know, the issue you raise is one that I've thought about for years. 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. I think most people want some privacy for themselves and the people they are close to. But I've also wanted to retain some privacy for professional reasons. Since I started as a reporter in war zones 20 years ago, I've often found myself in some very dangerous places. For my safety and the safety of those I work with, I try to blend in as much as possible, and prefer to stick to my job of telling other people's stories, and not my own. I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist. 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. 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. Recently, however, 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. I've also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand. 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. 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. Since my early days as a reporter, I have worked hard to accurately and fairly portray gay and lesbian people in the media - and to fairly and accurately portray those who for whatever reason disapprove of them. It is not part of my job to push an agenda, but rather to be relentlessly honest in everything I see, say and do. I've never wanted to be any kind of reporter other than a good one, and I do not desire to promote any cause other than the truth. Being a journalist, traveling to remote places, trying to understand people from all walks of life, telling their stories, has been the greatest joy of my professional career, and I hope to continue doing it for a long time to come. But while I feel very blessed to have had so many opportunities as a journalist, I am also blessed far beyond having a great career. I love, and I am loved. In my opinion, the ability to love another person is one of God's greatest gifts, and I thank God every day for enabling me to give and share love with the people in my life. I appreciate your asking me to weigh in on this, and I would be happy for you to share my thoughts with your readers. I still consider myself a reserved person and I hope this doesn't mean an end to a small amount of personal space. But I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter's shield of privacy. Me too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted July 3, 2012 Next we'll see articles like this... "Bear: "The Fact Is, I Shit In The Woods." He's a good reporter for the most port. Do I care if he like men to dangle their cash and prices covered in whipped cream while he gets a story done? Nope. DO I care that he wasnt to roll with another dude in a 69 across his house to reset up after a intense story, nope. Kudos for coming out, Coooper. It'll make it so much easier on DMAc when he comes out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted July 3, 2012 When asked when he first realized he was attracted to men, Cooper responded, "I looked in the mirror." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milla4Prez63 678 Posted July 3, 2012 Me too. You're gay too? But on a serious note, good for him. I'm beyond the point of caring if someone is gay, straight or whatever. When you are 13 you think they are disgusting freaks of nature, but they are just normal people with different lifestyles. Let them be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted July 3, 2012 You're gay too? No, if you look at the article, the author actually putted that in. Just got copied with my pasta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted July 3, 2012 I know about 30 middle aged women who are saddened by this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted July 3, 2012 Kudos for coming out, Coooper. It'll make it so much easier on DMAc when he comes out. Lol. Really? haha... But didn't he come out like a million years ago? I thought everyone already knew he was gay..... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted July 3, 2012 Yeah, same Dmac. Like I found out a few weeks ago and was told I was behind on the times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted July 3, 2012 I have to concur. Can't really say I am surprised... I think it became painfully obvious when he co-hosted on the Live With Kelly show and instead of looking at Kelly all morning, he was staring at the cameraman's ass. Lol. Kudos for him coming out though, I suppose. I am not so sure he did this because he wanted to, or because the pressure just built up too much for him to handle anymore. Regardless of the reason, I am sure he feels more at ease. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brownage 7 Posted July 3, 2012 CNN is reporting that Anderson is straight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duck Fallas 209 Posted July 3, 2012 I find it sad that people still have to hide the fact they are gay. I couldn't care less whether a man like to take it up the ass. It really doesn't effect my opinion on on that person at all. They still shit sitting down and put one their pants on one leg at a time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Phailadelphia Posted July 3, 2012 CNN is reporting that Anderson is straight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted July 3, 2012 Lol. Really? haha... But didn't he come out like a million years ago? I thought everyone already knew he was gay..... Eric Weddle is so cute, am I right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted July 3, 2012 I find it sad that people still have to hide the fact they are gay. I couldn't care less whether a man like to take it up the ass. It really doesn't effect my opinion on on that person at all. They still shit sitting down and put one their pants on one leg at a time. He made it pretty clear that he wasn't trying to hide it. He just didn't think it was anyone's business, which I agree with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CARDINAL 205 Posted July 27, 2012 Lol. Really? haha... But didn't he come out like a million years ago? I thought everyone already knew he was gay..... It's pretty obvious that he's gay when you hear him laugh. I think he's the best reporter and news anchor on TV, and I'm a big fan of the work he does. As long as he's doing what he's doing interms of news, it really doesn't matter that much that he's gay or anything like that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted July 28, 2012 It's pretty obvious that he's gay when you hear him laugh. o_O Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
