CNN Anchor Don Lemon Has Come Out of the Closet, But He's Not Ready to be the Black Gay Poster Child

[marmar]

via AlterNet:



The Loop 21 / By Keli Goff

CNN Anchor Don Lemon Has Come Out of the Closet, But He's Not Ready to be the Black Gay Poster Child
The 45-year-old Louisiana native explains why now was the perfect time to come out as a gay man.

May 19, 2011 |


Less than 24 hours after declaring his sexuality to the New York Times, CNN anchor-turned-author Don Lemon chatted with theLoop21’s Keli Goff during what had been a whirlwind of a day. Fatigued but forthcoming, the 45-year-old Louisiana native discussed homophobia in the African-American community, childhood sexual abuse, and why now was the perfect time to come out as a gay man.


Keli Goff: What was your biggest fear last night when you went to bed, knowing you were going to make this announcement today?

Don Lemon: That people would say, "who cares?" in a sarcastic way and that it wouldn’t make a difference for young people and that people would think that I was doing some sort of selfish thing, and I’m not. I mean you have no idea which way these things are going to go. A lot of people don’t really like to have their business out in the streets and that’s why so many people haven’t come out.

For all the people who say it’s not a big deal and “who cares?” then why aren’t there more journalists out, why aren’t there more politicians out, why aren’t there more actors out? Why are people still afraid to come out? I know it’s a big deal and I don’t mean for me, I mean it’s a big deal for people to come out and be who they are. It’s a big deal for young people not to think they are bad because they are struggling with their sexuality and think they are gay.

One of the reasons I didn’t come out earlier is because I am not the Ken doll that represents the gay community. I didn’t think anyone in the gay community would support me because I’m not the classic gay role model. I’m not the Clark Kent type. I would go and host events at gay organizations as a news anchor and I would be the only African American in the room, so I thought maybe nobody’s going to care because I’m not the blonde, white guy. That was a concern for me. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/media/151017/cnn_anchor_don_lemon_has_come_out_of_the_closet%2C_but_he%27s_not_ready_to_be_the_black_gay_poster_child/

[Shagbark Hickory]

1. Maybe A.C. will see that his career won't end if he comes out too. nt

[patricia92243]

2. I thought he had - that is the way we know he is gay. Maybe I have it wrong.

[dionysus]

3. from what i've read, he's not officially "out", but he makes no effort to hide it. not sure.

[Shagbark Hickory]

8. Hanging out with Kathy Griffin on new years is kind of a dead giveaway.

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Nope. Not out publicly.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Great piece, Don Lemon did good!

nt

[SoCalDem]

5. It's sad that in this day & age it's still a "story"

people should be what they are and should not owe anyone an "explanation" or have to "come out"..

Gay straight
tall short
male female
skinny fat
big feet little feet
red hair brown hair

it's all just part of who you are..

[Shagbark Hickory]

9. Well there is still a lot of misunderstanding out there and I personally think it's helpful to show

people that may not understand or may be under the influence of some pre-conceived sterotypes, that this guy you like to watch on the news all the time is gay.

Or for teens and young adults that may be struggling with their own feelings or with bullying. This is a good thing.

Not quite the same as having a certain color of hair or being tall or short.

[Enrique]

6. he shouldn't have to be if he doesn't want to

off-topic, imo Lemon is kind of an airhead as an anchor. :shrug:

[PatSeg]

10. He's 45 years old?

The one thing I've always noticed about him is that he looks like a kid, too young to be an anchor.

Glad to hear he's comfortable coming out now, but its such a shame that he, like so many, felt they had to keep it a secret.

[Jefferson23]

11. K&R. n/t

[DevonRex]

12. Good interview. What a lovely person. KnR. Nt