CNN anchor Anderson Cooper says ‘I’m gay’

By Katrina Jones Jul 2nd, 2012 ( No Comment )

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper quashed the long-standing speculation speculations about his sexuality and has come out of the closet, accepting he is a gay.

In a lengthy email to Daily Beast political writer Andrew Sullivan, he discusses his reluctance to directly address the issue until now and admits that he has long been open about his sexuality in his private life, MTV reported.

“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,” Cooper wrote.

“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.

“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,” he continued.

“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,” Cooper told Sullivan. “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.”

Concluding his statement, Cooper does not specifically reveal whether he is involved romantically but does say, “I am also blessed far beyond having a great career. … I love, and I am loved.”