Anderson Cooper Comes Out: 'The Fact Is, I'm Gay'

Today in FINALLY, Anderson Cooper officially, publicly comes out via Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Beast. In a heartfelt letter, which he authorized Sullivan to post in full, Cooper details the reasons why he stayed quasi-closeted for so long (see: “safety in the field”; “business, not yours”) and then explains his change of heart:

Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. 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. This is distressing because it is simply not true.

I’ve also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, 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.

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.

You can read the whole thing here. Here’s to Anderson and his family and his loves and his alleged boyfriend and all the gay people on earth and silver foxes and Channel One News and a magical future-world where coming out won’t be a political statement at all.

BUT I SUPPOSE NEXT HE’LL BE WANTING TO MARRY THIS CAT. SLIPPERY SLOPE AND STUFF.