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… 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.
— Anderson Cooper in an email published with permission by Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Beast
Quote from quoted quote:
“I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues.”
…..and yet he was still considered ‘closet’ – I get really pissed with the attitude that someone (famous or not) is a ‘liar’ or ‘hiding’ just because they don’t make a big public statement. Straight people don’t have to announce their sexuality, yet we are expected to ‘explain ourselves. It’s a shitty double standard and sadly one that the gay community buys into.
We are so outraged by gay bullying, but we do exactly the same thing by holding on to this judgmental attitude.
I am happily surprised by the fact that everything posted to this point is positive. Anderson Cooper is a good reporter. I also agree that celebs need to have their private lives. The only issue is when their public life hurts people, like all the anti-gay high profile preachers, politicians, and other celebs who are actually themselves gay. Anderson Cooper has, from what I have seen, always been objective so go him. And thank you for deciding to stand with us Anderson I hope continue to be an objective reporter.
I agree with Greggie. I completely understand and agree with Anderson’s sentiments. I don’t like this expectation of celebrity people to come out as if they owe it to the public to do just that. You don’t expect those non=celebs around you to do the same do you? I doubt it. Honestly, if I were a celeb, I’d want to keep my life as private as possible.
I think expecting people to “come out” is completely unreasonable. While his being out is certainly beneficial to gay culture, people should still have every right to be private without criticism. I think his statement is absolutely perfect. Good for you Coop.