Blogs Battle to Out Anderson Cooper
"Is
Anderson Cooper gay?" That's the big question once again circulating around the Web ... only this time it's not so much
is he, but who is he dating and why hasn't he come out yet. Last week, Gawker, Page Six and
Perez Hilton started buzzing about supposedly closeted Cooper's rumored new beau (who, to be fair, Michael Musto
has been blogging about for more than a month), and the glut of attention was accompanied by an almost crushing sense of déjà vu. Why? Because Cooper's sexuality is hardly a fresh topic. As
Gawker's Brian Moylan said in an
October 29th post on the subject: "Saying Cooper is gay is no longer a scoop. It's not a scandal." So, to get to the bottom of A-Coop's long-debated sexuality,
PopEater decided to talk directly to those trying to out the Silver Fox. The chats about Cooper's "glass closet" after the jump!
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Anderson Cooper Snapshots
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is seen here attending the 10th annual New Yorkers for Children fall gala. Click for More Pics of the 'Silver Fox' >>>
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Anderson Cooper and Joy Behar attend "The Joy Behar Show" launch party at the Oak Room on September 23, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Cooper;Joy Behar
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Anderson Cooper attends "The Joy Behar Show" launch party at the Oak Room on September 23, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Cooper
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Anderson Cooper attends the 10th annual New Yorkers for Children fall gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on September 22, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Cooper
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Anderson Cooper attends the 10th annual New Yorkers for Children fall gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on September 22, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Cooper
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Anderson Cooper attends the 10th annual New Yorkers for Children fall gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on September 22, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Cooper
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NEW YORK - JULY 16: Anderson Cooper visits the "Late Show With David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on July 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by George Napolitano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Cooper
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NEW YORK - JULY 16: Anderson Cooper visits the "Late Show With David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on July 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by George Napolitano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anderson Cooper
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News anchor Anderson Cooper walks outside at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners Staples Center Los Angeles, CA United States July 7, 2009 Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57856198), contact FilmMagic.com
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com
News anchor Anderson Cooper attends Ghetto Film School's 5th annual Spring benefit dinner at Park Cafe on June 15, 2009 in New York City. Ghetto Film School's 5th Annual Spring Benefit Dinner Park Cafe New York, NY United States June 15, 2009 Photo by Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57697641), contact FilmMagic.com
Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic.com
News anchor Anderson Cooper attends Ghetto Film School's 5th annual Spring benefit dinner at Park Cafe on June 15, 2009 in New York City. Ghetto Film School's 5th Annual Spring Benefit Dinner Park Cafe New York, NY United States June 15, 2009 Photo by Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57697639), contact FilmMagic.com
Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic.com
Perez Hilton
Contribution to the rumor mill: Hilton
basically re-reported a Page Six piece (which was re-reporting
Michael Musto's scoop) that described Coop's Indian vacation with alleged boyfriend, Benjamin Maisani. He did draw a heart on a photo of AC, though, which was very nice.
Why is it important to cover Cooper's sexuality?: "It's not important to cover it, it's just another aspect of who he is. I mean, I don't treat him any differently than I do anyone else," Perez tells PopEater.
Why do people care so much about his romantic life?: "Maybe because he's so secretive about it, it's having a reverse effect. If he just came out, there might not be as much interest. You don't ever really see people talking about Neil Patrick Harris's boyfriend or anything along those lines. You don't see them that often in paparazzi pictures. I mean, sometimes [Harris and his boyfriend] go to events together, sure, but I think if he came out then there would be less interest in his personal life. He would be freer to be himself."
Do you think it's OK for the blogs to out him?: "[The blogs] are not outing him, they're just reporting the facts. That's what I call it, you know. He's just not ever publicly said the words, 'I'm a gay man.' But he's also never said, 'I'm not a gay man.' He's living in a glass closet, so it's all fair game."
Gawker
Contribution to the rumor mill: Brian Moylan's
initial post, in which he entreats Cooper to "man up and be our Jackie Robinson," a
comprehensive profile of Maisani, pictures and, now,
shirtless pictures. In short, Gawker dished a dump truck's worth of dirt.
Why is it important to cover Cooper's sexuality?: "Everybody knows, so why are you keeping up this facade about not talking about it? A lot of people say that it's his private life and he shouldn't have to come out and so on and so forth, but we live in a society, unfortunately, where everyone's assumed to be straight until they said otherwise. I think that a lot of this coverage has to do with the fact that he won't talk about it, and maybe if he just answered the question once and said, 'OK, yes, I'm gay,' then people would stop asking and paying so much attention to who he's going on vacation with and so on and so forth," Moylan tells PopEater.
Why do people care so much about his romantic life?: "I think that there are plenty of gay kids out there who need positive role models and I think that Anderson Cooper would definitely be an excellent one to follow. And I hope that he will show everybody the strength and courage to be an openly gay person in today's society."
Do you think it's OK for the blogs to out him?: "The most recent things we've done haven't outed him whatsoever. He outs himself by going on vacation with his boyfriend. He's a public figure, like it or not, and if he's going to lead the life of a openly gay person, then he is, in fact, outing himself."
Out Magazine
Contribution to the rumor mill: Editor-in-chief Aaron Hicklin's controversial 2007 ''The Power 50' issue cover, which featured a model
wearing a Cooper mask and gave us a visual metaphor for the newsman's obfuscated sexuality.
Why is it important to cover Cooper's sexuality?: "I think we need to reach a tipping point, and until more people come out, we're not going to reach a tipping point. The tipping point is about there being enough out mainstream celebrities that it no longer seems unusual or strange or distinct. For better or worse, somebody has to be the first or the second or the third until we get to that point."
Why do people care so much about his romantic life?: "Anderson Cooper is interesting because he so clearly doesn't go to great lengths to hide his sexuality. He's obviously comfortable in his own skin. He's not someone who's waiting to come out to his friends and family. I think that's why people are baffled by the fact that he won't publicly acknowledge his sexuality. That's why he's such a target. That's why so many people are disappointed that he won't make that relatively small step of just acknowledging his sexuality and moving on."
Do you think it's OK for the blogs to out him?: "I think it's really important to draw the line between what we were doing with that piece and the kind of stories you're reading about Anderson Cooper on Gawker and other Web sites. We couldn't care less who Anderson Cooper's boyfriend is. That's not my interest any more than it would be my interest to reveal the private details of someone else's relationship. What my interest is, is to expose what I think of as the sort of phony argument around the closet and outing people. I mean, the concept of the closet and outing is a product of homophobia. The closet and outing people can only exist as long as homosexuality is seen as abhorrent and wrong. And since I don't see homosexuality as abhorrent and wrong I don't have any scruples calling it as I see it. As the editor of a gay magazine, I feel that it's incumbent on us to challenge the sort of preposterous nature around the phony outrage of outing people. I mean, switch homosexuality for religion and you begin to see how ludicrous it is."
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Perez Hilton is a low life obnoxious putz...what more is there to say?
I am a gay man and I am happy and out..however..sexuality is NO BODYS DAMN BUSINESS..I dont care if you are a celebrity or whatever..I dont care what "spin" you put on it..bottom line is its none of your business!!!!!!!!!
Reply
AMEN Common Sense! Perez is a disgrace to humanity. If AC doesn't want to diclose who he loves or cares for it's no ones business. PH needs to get a life!! Who died & made him the GOD to out folks!?
I totally agree---it is not our business to know the lifestyle choices of other people.
I agree, it's not anything I care to know about. Anderson Cooper is one of the best political reporters on the air. Why is his sexual orientation any of our business and why do people really care? It's stupid to be asking and I think we need to leave so-called celebrities alone.
Mr Cooper is terrific at his job,his sexual preference is not only of no importance it is no ones business but his. learning to accept people for who and what they are is a good lesson for you to learn,being hateful if useless to all your self included.
AMEN!! Private means PRIVATE! If he wants to out himself, fine. If not, fine as well!
I so agree!!
"Common Sense" makes alot of sense! Perez needs to mind his own business & get a real life! Leave Anderson Cooper ALONE!!!!! It's nobody's business what he is or isn't.
Anderson Cooper has not come out of the closet because to do so will cause him to lose viewers. His demographics and Ellen's demographics are VASTLY different. He will most certainly lose viewers upon exiting the closet.
WHO CARES OMG................... Leave people alone what difference is it to people... there are too many people out of work that have nothing better to do but pry into other lives.... GET ONE OF YOUR OWN.........!
A persons sexuality is absolutely no ones business but the persons and their significate other.
I agree with you ONE THOUSAND percent. Perez hilton is a jerk that ought to keep his mouth shut.
And frankly i dont care too hoots if Mr. Cooper is gay or not....its irrelevant and nobodys business
He is an excellent journalist and that is what is important!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think everyone is entiled to their privacy if thats what they choose, not to ask for attention by being in the spotlight, or at least keeping their private life out of it.
I believe the only people that care about others sexual preference are people that don't have a life. I don't have a life, since Katrina,but knowing if he likes men or women doesn't pay bills or put food on my table. hes a person too, why can't everyone just leave it at that and talk about their own dirty laundry in public.
Obviously Parez has a crush on AC and wants AC to be gay whether or not he really is. Night time fantasies, Perez?????
Perez that was totaly out of line of you to say that AC is Gay unless you saw him having sex with a man!
Do you remember you call (Will I am) a "F" word and you got beat up by his bodygard LOL
And then you were on U-Tube CRAYING like 4 years old Baby!!! Mammy Mammy they pushed me&hit me LOL
If you are going to other people private Busniess U better get the (BIGGER BODY GARDS)
Because I do not want to see you on U-Tube crying again!
This Time AC Will Kick your ass by himself!
He does not need a bodygard to kick your ass!!
Did you see his Biceps??
Making long story short people like you have no business to talk about other people Sexuality!!
But then again how you are going to make money for living not telling lies!!!
I am Gay from Pakistan left my country because all of that crap where people Juge you for your sexuality not what you did for your country or your Family.
So watch your Mouth before you open!
My 2 cent shut up and make gay people proude because you are open and all over the news.
Guys like me in kansas city can just comment!!
Take care of your Face LOL,
Naveed from olathe Kansas city.
I don't understand just what business it is of anyone's. He may be a bit of a celebrity, but he is still entitled to his own private life. Why is it so important to anyone to know. For that matter, why don't you quiz George Clooney? Do you really believe that he is thinking about marrying any of the girls he takes out? Do you really believe he is serious about any of them? You must be one of those idiots that would pay the papparatzi thousands of dollars for one idiot picture. Why don't you grow up and get a life.
Maybe if people pay attention to what's going on in their own home...or for some without a life, whats not going on in their home, then they may not have so much energy wondering what's going on in a TOTAL STRANGER'S HOME.
AYYYYYY-MEN!!
Perez is just plain SICKENING.... But, I have to say that I seen AC in a photo with a man, it was said that AC was with his long time partner.... That is when I found out that he was gay.... Mind you, that didn't change my opinion of him what so ever.... I havve a brother and a cousin that are gay. I also had a male dog that was gay.... That should tell people something.... They are BORN that way........ They can't change anymore than us straight people can change.... NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TRY.... LEAVE THEM ALONE, and worry about what you, yourself is doing in this world and in this lifetime...
AGREED, PEREZ HILTON IS AN IDIOT, MORE CELEBS SHOULD SOCK HIM IN THYE JAW..HARD ENOUGH SO HIS JAW GETS WIRED. THERE IS NO SECRET TO COOPERS' SEXUALITY.. EVERYONE KNOWS HE IS GAY... & NOBODY CARES.. THESE CRUSADERS SHOULD FOCUS ON MORE POSITIVE ACTIONS, INSTAED OF THE NEGATIVE BY "OUTING" SOMEONE (WHEN THERE IS NO NEED TO OUT)