By Zanub Saeed
In the 1990s, celebrities found brash and bold ways to announce that they were gay - like Ellen Degeneres, as one of the most famous examples. In the recent years, celebrities who have come out have done so in a more subdued manner, either as a throwaway comment in an interview or something similar of that nature.
This is exactly how CNN reporter and talk show host Anderson Cooper chose to come out, in a letter from the anchorman released to The Daily Beast, discussing how the matter of "coming out" is no longer as groundbreaking as it once was.
"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," Cooper revealed to Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Beast.
Cooper responded to a recent cover issue in Entertainment Weekly, discussing the "new art of coming out," where celebrities like "The Big Bang Theory"'s Emmy-winner Jim Parson's made mention of his homosexuality as a comment in an interview, as well as "Star Trek" star Zachary Quinto earlier this year.
"I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues," Cooper continued. "In a perfect world, I don't think it's anyone else's business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted. I'm not an activist, but I am a human being and I don't give that up by being a journalist."
"Since my early days as a reporter, I have worked hard to accurately and fairly portray gay and lesbian people in the media - and to fairly and accurately portray those who for whatever reason disapprove of them. It is not part of my job to push an agenda, but rather to be relentlessly honest in everything I see, say and do. I've never wanted to be any kind of reporter other than a good one, and I do not desire to promote any cause other than the truth."
