Anderson Cooper Reflects: “I’m Gay and Proud of It,” Wishing He Had Come Out Sooner
In a candid conversation with Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper opened up about his journey of coming out publicly as gay, and how he now wishes he had done it sooner. Though Cooper came out to friends and family during high school, he only made a public announcement in 2012. Reflecting on the decision, he admitted feeling regret for not being more open earlier. "By not saying something, it seemed like I was ashamed, but the opposite was true," Cooper shared, emphasizing his pride in his identity.
While many of Anderson’s close friends and colleagues were aware of his sexuality long before he went public, the anchor remained tight-lipped about it for most of his career. In his interview with Ellen, Cooper explained how being more transparent earlier might have sent a stronger message to those who looked up to him. “Even though you think you're out, it does matter," he said, stressing the importance of visible representation.
The CNN anchor made his public coming out in 2012 alongside his partner at the time, Benjamin Maisani, marking a moment of celebration for the LGBTQ+ community and Cooper’s fans alike. "I'm gay, and I'm proud of it," he declared during that time, noting how the decision made him feel freer and more connected to his true self.
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