Anderson Cooper Comes Out, Reveals He’s Gay

After many years of speculation, famed journalist Anderson Cooper has revealed that he is gay.

Cooper announced the news in an email to friend and fellow reporter, Andrew Sullivan over the weekend.  Sullivan had asked Cooper to comment on an Entertainment Weekly story focusing on how gay men and women have come out in recent years, and Cooper responded with the following:

“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 then gave Sullivan permission to publish the response at The Daily Beast website.  Despite trying to maintain his personal privacy over the past few years, Cooper says that recent events made him rethink his decision, and finally come out:

“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…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.”

Cooper also wrote that bullying and discrimination against gays encouraged his announcement, saying,

“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.”

But no matter what, Cooper says that the news shouldn’t change anyone else’s opinion of him.  His friends, family and colleagues always knew, and it shouldn’t be of any concern to anyone else:

“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.”