Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Christian Piatt

Home
Progressive Christian
Why Anderson Cooper’s Sexual Orientation Matters

Why Anderson Cooper’s Sexual Orientation Matters

Last updated on: July 2, 2012 at 10:34 pm by Christian Piatt

Why Anderson Cooper’s Sexual Orientation Matters 2012-07-02T22:34:35+00:00 Christian Piatt

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Cable News Network (CNN) anchor Anderson Cooper didn’t exactly rattle the rafters with a collective gasp of public surprise when he announced that he was gay. Though it’s been something many speculated about for some time, he had never spoken about his sexual orientation in the public forum until today.

In fact, according to a story in the Huffington Post, he rebuffed a question on the matter from a New York Magazine reporter recently, suggesting that he simply did not make a habit of talking about such things in the media, citing the need for neutrality in as many ways as possible as a reporter.

Then, in an email to writer Andrew Sullivan, Cooper “came out,” stating the following in the letter:

“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.”

I put the fact that Cooper “came out” in quotes namely because he had not made his sexuality a secret before. He appeared publicly with a partner, and was open about being gay with friends and family. And although it has become increasingly common for stars to speak plainly about their orientation, Cooper also realized that his perceived neutrality could be compromised in some viewers’ eyes by stating as much in the wide open.

So why do it? Put another way: why does it matter if Anderson Cooper is gay or not?

It doesn’t really, except for the fact that he identifies with a much maligned minority group in our culture which is regularly denied equal rights because of who they are and who they love. And in taking the relatively small risk of losing some more narrow-minded fans (but perhaps gaining new ones), he helps to advance and empower the movement for equality and affirmation of all people.

Time and again, I have seen that peoples’ minds and hearts are changed about the “gay issue” when it centers on an individual they care about rather than on some abstract set of ideologies. Even Dick Cheney softened his positions on LGBT rights when it became public knowledge that his own daughter was Lesbian.

The fact is that, although most of us in the public don’t actually “know” Anderson Cooper, his presence on television makes him a familiar figure. So when someone has had a number of years to feel comfortable with him as a source for news and reliable, professional commentary, his orientation becomes less of an issue. This often carries over to the next time that person meets someone who is gay, helping familiarize the experience in the future.

The LGBT community has a particular champion in someone like Cooper, too, who doesn’t fit the many stereotypes some maintain for what it means to be “gay.” He’s a manly man. He does’t swish or lisp or any of the other generalizations our imaginations apply to our concept of “gay” means. He is Anderson Cooper, a reporter and television anchor who also happens to be gay, not Anderson Cooper, the gay reporter.

Previous Post

July 1, 2012

Church Sign Epic Fails, Volume Twenty

Next Post

July 4, 2012 Christian Patriotism: Love for the "Other""

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category atonement belief bible Bill O'Reilly Buddhism CCM children christian piatt christianity Contemporary Christian Music current events derek flood Easter education Everyday Sunday faith faith and culture Frank Schaeffer great commission Haaz Sleiman Hobby Lobby Homebrewed Culture humor ISIS Jesus John Paul Lederach Killing Jesus LGBTQ marc driscoll Mission Year Music My Jesus Project Nat Geo parenting politics popular culture postChristian prison reform Ray rice religion republicans sacrifice sexuality theology Uncategorized video violence wild goose festival World Vision young adults

Select a Month December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What sea did Moses part?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Dead Sea Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Sea of Galilee