Anderson Cooper Comes Out, Stars Show Their Support
After Anderson Cooper publicly came out on Monday, stars have rallied behind the ‘Silver Fox’ to show their support for the CNN anchorman.
Comedian and actress Kathy Griffin posted an adorable Facebook photo of the two holding hands with the following message: ”Here I am with my friend Anderson Cooper who I’m so proud of.” The post has gotten over 80,000 likes.
Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris also showed their support via Twitter.
“I’m proud of you, @AndersonCooper,” tweeted Ellen DeGeneres.
“Good for you, @AndersonCooper. You’re awesome,” cheered NPH.
The support warms your heart.
Anderson Cooper had written a long email to his friend and Daily Beast blogger Andrew Sullivan, and came out publicly as a gay man. The email was posted on Monday with the anchorman’s permission. Although friends, family members, and colleagues already knew about Cooper’s sexual orientation, he had wanted to “maintain some level of privacy in [his] life.”
“As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn’t matter,” Cooper writes. “I’ve stuck to those principles for my entire professional career, even when I’ve been directly asked ‘the gay question,’ which happens occasionally.”
However, he has decided to step out in a public manner. “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.”
He adds, “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 reassures his fans with the following: “I love, and I am loved.”
Although many people have showed their support, Cooper would still like to preserve some of his privacy. Don Lemon, a fellow CNN anchorman, who identified himself as gay last year, feels that Cooper’s statement is moving him in the right direction. “People will stop chasing him,” Mr. Lemon said. “They’ll stop hounding him. It’ll no longer be a big deal.”
Congratulations Anderson for taking a big step. You will continue to be our ‘Silver Fox.’
