Anderson Cooper Publicly Reveals He Is GAY

Anderson Cooper's sexuality has been one of Hollywood's little secret that everyone knows. The anchor of AC360 on CNN International pulled a Ricky Martin and revealed his sexual orientation publicly for the first time today in a letter to Andrew Sullivan of the news site The Daily Beast.

Can't say a lot of people were surprised but since just last week I learned that an openly gay friend of mine had just impregnated a girl, I personally would not be surprised that there were people who did not believe that Anderson is gay.

Not that it matters anyway, but it still made news so I am sharing it with you.

"In fact, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself and proud," writes Anderson Cooper of Anderson Cooper 360 

"I've always believed that who a reporter votes for, what religion they are, who they love, should not be something they have to discuss publicly. As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn't matter. I've stuck to those principles for my entire professional career, even when I've been directly asked "the gay question," which happens occasionally,"

"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," 

"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," writes Anderson Cooper.

The famous journo is reported to have said that he has kept his sexuality private until now to maintain his privacy, and because it was irrelevant to his reporting.

But he said he had recently become concerned “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.”

When asked for his thoughts by a columnist on an emerging trend of high-profile figures coming out in understated ways. Cooper agreed with Sullivan view that it was in many ways “a great development: we’re evolved enough not to be gob-smacked when we find out someone’s gay.”

Cooper's motivation is said to have emanated from the stand point that it is important that people put their sexuality “on the record” to set an example for others, including bullied gay kids.

Within hours of Anderson Cooper coming out, stars and media figures offered their support and congratulations to the CNN anchor and daytime talk show host.

"I'm proud of you, @AndersonCooper," Ellen DeGeneres, who came out years ago, wrote on Twitter.

Neil Patrick Harris also gave the newsman his good wishes, writing, "Good for you, @AndersonCooper. You're awesome."

Both messages have been re-tweeted almost 5,000 times.

Cooper also received well-wishes from TV pals such as Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who tweeted: "One of the reasons I look up to my friend @andersoncooper is his amazing eloquence. Very proud of him!"

Fellow CNN anchor Don Lemon tweeted his congrats and added, "We should all be supportive."

Meanwhile, funny ladies Joan Rivers and Kathy Griffin also expressed their congratulations. Griffin, posted: "Here I am with my friend Anderson Cooper who I'm so proud of." It has gotten almost 50,000 likes.

Rivers took a lighthearted approach to her Cooper comment, saying: "Thrilled @AndersonCooper came out! So, THAT'S why he never wanted to date me! I would've loved having Gloria Vanderbilt as my mother-in-law."

Rumour has it that Anderson is dating a black brotha! Once you go black ....

Good for him!!