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

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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/