Anderson Cooper made national news on Monday with the acknowledgment that he is gay. The media is filled with articles about this. Every entertainment site, magazine and TV show is trying to put their own spin on this story.
However, many people are reacting to Anderson’s acknowledgment with…”Why is this news?” Some even laugh as though they already knew and say “You’re kidding!
Is it news? Well I suppose it is news. Yesterday, a man in a highly public job revealed that he is a part of a minority group that doesn’t have full and equal rights. The decision he made to be open about it is important for himself and for many others. With this announcement, Anderson’s acknowledgment is a bold statement to both youth who may be struggling to accept their own orientation and to those people who have bigoted beliefs. He says…I am the same guy who you invited into your home and trusted to bring you news and I just happen to be gay.
Anderson frequently reports from dangerous regions of the world, areas that are more dangerous for gays and lesbians. His public declaration of sexuality could add more danger to his foreign reporting. So, yes…this is news.
Anderson said:
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.
Many of the articles about Anderson Cooper also reported on other gay celebrities. Some of these article included Clay Aiken in their articles.
The Los Angeles Times published an article about Anderson Cooper. They included a link to pictures of gay celebrities. Clay is included in the pictures. Clay is number 15 and the picture is current. To see the pictures, click on LATIMES
The New York Daily News has a slide show of 42 stars that have come out. Again, Clay is in the slide presentation…but New York needs to update their library of pictures. You can see the slideshow at NEWYORK
KSDK.com has an internet site and they posted a short video of Anderson Cooper. They mention Clay and show a picture of him too. The article says:
Anderson Cooper Joins Celebs Fighting Against Gay Bullying
Anderson Cooper is out. Cooper’s announcement that he is gay makes him one of many celebrities who have discussed their sexuality in an effort to end bullying. Zachary Quinto, Ellen DeGeneres and Clay Aiken are also very vocal about their anti-bully…
To see the video, click on KSDK
I am sure there will be more articles about gay celebrities in the next few days. If you find one, please pass on the address so we can all see it.
Jennifer Vanasco wrote a beautiful article at the Huffington Post titled Why It Matters That Anderson Cooper Came Out As Gay. It is a good read. I hope you have the time to read it. It makes you think…and it could be written about Clay Aiken. She ends the article with the following:
Cooper’s statement is a reminder to all of us that coming out, no matter how ordinary it may seem to those of us on the other side of it, is still a risk, is still brave, is still courageous, and still matters. Bravo.
The link to this article can be found at HUFFINGTON