Thank You Anderson Cooper
A good man, a smart man, and a class act.
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 can’t think of a danged word to add to that, except that I am proud for him, too.
I’ve followed Anderson’s career for the last 20 years & he is simply a great journalist, especially when it comes to showing the world what evil is being done TO our fellow human being BY our fellow humans. I’m very proud for him too. Good on Anderson for just being who he is. And lucky us for being able to have him in our homes every night. I know I’m better informed because of him.
1I’ve known that Anderson was gay for years. Don’t care. Don’t think he (or anyone else) should have to hide or flaunt it. Whether someone is or isn’t just flat out isn’t any of our business – it only becomes our business when a small section of the public try to stomp on another person’s civil rights because they can’t handle it. Unfortunately it seems to be males generally that can’t wrap their minds around a biological fact – women – again generally – tend to be pragmatic about it.
2Plus: what an adorable giggle!
3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MumI6KovUk
If all the gay folks in the world came out at once everything would become very different. And greatly for the better. Do it!
4I always get a case of the giggles whenever I see that clip, Sister Artemis
5Good Man!
Thing is, Anderson…… a lot of us don’t care, one way or the other….
You are a good journalist….. you do a great job….
That’s what most folks care about.
Anything else….. is your business.
6I’ve always liked Anderson Cooper. Few looking at him would imagine the very privileged background he comes from. He’s the best journalist that CNN has, and I wish the network would hired more like him. Because I’m a Georgian, I remember when Ted Turner started out in the ad business with roadside billboards. I used to read them on the interstate as I traveled to and from the high school where I was teaching. He meant CNN to be a serious news network, and it was back in the 1980s. As soon as AOL got its hands on CNN, the downfall of the network began, and oh, my, how it has fallen. Dana Loesch, Wolf Blitzer, Erick Erickson and others have ruined Ted Turner’s dream of having a credible news network. CNN should never have hired these types of people. I know they shouldn’t have hired Erickson. I know Erickson from local politics because he was a member of my city council. He was a hater and fear monger then, and by hiring him, CNN gave him carte blanche to take his schtick nationwide. None of the executives at CNN should be surprised that the network’s ratings are on a steep downward trend because by hiring people like those I’ve identified, they should have expected it to happen. Instead of focusing on quality, they focused on becoming Fox-lite. A few years ago, I read an op-ed in which Ted Turner stated that he hates he ever sold the network and is hurt by what it has become. He also expressed an interest buying it and placing it under his control as it was in the beginning. I don’t know whether he’d be able to do this, but if he could, it c/would help CNN to begin regaining the credibility it has lost.
7l don’t expect an epidemic of clutched pearls and fainting couches over this announcement, but a nice, low key, statement. Now, Anderson, report of the real impact of Obamacare on real Americans.
8I knew that. I don’t know how or why but I always thought he had been open about his orientation for so long that no one cared about it. I’m guessing now I will find out how wrong I was about whether or not anyone cared about it.
9I agree Don, but it bothers me that he felt the need to confirm what everyone already suspected or knew. We’ve come a long way since sexuality could be used as blackmail, and I’ll be even happier when it inspires no more curiosity than someone’s hair color. Or in the case of certain Republicans, what they do with diapers and wetsuits.
10In reading his entire statement, I was struck by the fact that Anderson cared for the safety of those around him when he covered the news from some very difficult locations. Reporters face issues, and throwing his sexual orientation into the mix could be dicey. He came from an extremely high profile, priviledged background, his brother committed suicide by jumping off his Mom’s balcony in front of him. I totally get why he chose to be very private with his life, his choices… and kudos to him for this statement. Matter of fact, discreet. Classy. Anderson Cooper is very “watchable”.
11I had no idea, hadn’t given it a thought one way or the other, hadn’t heard any gossip, at least that I paid attention to. Might have heard a mention that went in one ear and out the other, because the only reason I care is that right-wing bigots care. (And how I wish they didn’t.)
Nevertheless, this will probably be of help to many other people, and I’m pleased with the classy announcement, so I thank him very much. I guess I’ll have to start making a point of finding him on the tee vee.
12I hope I live to see the day where what Anderson just did is NOT considered brave or remarkable. But it is, and he is totally a class act.
When CNN asks my opinion, he will be the only on-air talent I don’t fire. I will invite Aaron Brown to come back and run the news operation. I will give Meghan McCain an opinion show. I will give Dan Rather a news magazine show with complete editorial control over it and let him hire young dynamic reporters. I will give Olbermann a slot. I will require a half hour a day of science reporting followed by a half hour of international news. There will never ever be another celebrity news item….EVAH!
But Anderson? Chante, you stay.
13Good for him, and I hope more people come out. The more, the better. A study showed that people who don’t like gays tend to soften their stance a bit when they read a story about a positive figure who turns out to be gay at the end of the story– but not if the character being gay was mentioned near the start. They need to see people, get to know them, and then find out they’re gay to see that gays aren’t ogres but neighbors and co-workers and friends and that nice reporter on the TV.
14Anderson is classy, personable, smart, a good journalist, and a good man. That is all that is important.
I would love to see that old firehouse he bought and renovated. It should be very special.
15Oh wow, what have I been missing?! I watched his show last night – in-depth report on one of my pet peeves, charity scams. I’m a fan!
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