“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 wrote to fellow gay journalist Andrew Sullivan, who published the letter with Cooper’s permission in his column on The Daily Beast website.
COOPER COMES OUT, GETS SEA OF SUPPORT FROM CELEBRITY FRIENDS
Cooper declared he didn’t want to have his silence about his sexuality — talk of it has swirled for years on blogs and in media circles — to be misconstrued as shame.
“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,” he said.
“This is distressing because it is simply not true,” added Cooper, 45, who has been linked to East Village bar owner Benjamin Maisani.
The decision to go public now brings the subject to a larger general audience — a move experts predicted won’t hurt his career and one that fans and friends cheered.
“This wasn’t some shocking announcement; this is certainly something that people have been saying for a long time,” said Robert Thompson, pop culture professor at Syracuse University.
Media strategist Shari Anne Brill agreed. “For those people who think it’s an issue, they’re probably watching Fox News anyway,” she told the Daily News.
Media strategist Shari Anne Brill agreed. “For those people who think it’s an issue, they’re probably watching Fox News anyway,” she told the Daily News.
CNN had no comment and said Cooper wanted his letter to speak for itself.
Sullivan had written to Cooper to ask his views on a recent Entertainment Weekly cover story about gay celebs who’ve come out with little fanfare, including hunky “Magic Mike” actor Matt Bomer and Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory.”
Sullivan had written to Cooper to ask his views on a recent Entertainment Weekly cover story about gay celebs who’ve come out with little fanfare, including hunky “Magic Mike” actor Matt Bomer and Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory.”
“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,” Cooper wrote.
Cooper, whose mom is jeans designer Gloria Vanderbilt, continued: “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.”
He said he hopes his decision to come out will help others who face bullying, bias, and violence. “I believe there is value in making clear where I stand,” he said.
Celebs, including comedian Kathy Griffin, who co-hosts CNN’s New Year’s Eve specials with Cooper, tweeted their support.
And at New York’s gay community center, there were widespread cheers.
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