Don Lemon Comes Out; CNN Anchor Calls Himself a 'Double Minority'
In September of last year, Don Lemon made the
extraordinary admission on live TV that he was victimized by a pedophile as a child. Months later, the CNN anchor is releasing a book that carries on that spirit of openness by speaking publicly for the first time about his being gay and what that means for an African-American man.
"I'm scared," he told
The New York Times on Sunday. "I'm talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for."
Lemon, 45, told the Times that "it's about the worst thing you can be in black culture" to be a gay male. "You're taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. In the black community, they think you can pray the gay away. I guess this makes me a double minority now."
The journo's colleagues at CNN have been aware of his sexuality for years, but Lemon decided while writing his book,
'Transparent,' that he was going to go all in and embrace the truth.
"I abhor hypocrisy," he said. "I think if you're going to be in the business of news, and telling people the truth, of trying to shed light in dark places, then you've got to be honest. You've got to have the same rules for yourself as you do for everyone else."
Lemon also acknowledged that people are going to tie his victimization as a child to being gay. "People are going to say: 'Oh, he was molested as a kid and now he is coming out.' I get it," he said.
'Transparent' has been dedicated to Tyler Clementis, the Rutgers student who committed suicide after his roommate secretly used a webcam to broadcast his sexual encounter with another man.
He also noted that in a perfect world it would be ideal if all the closed TV news personalities would publicly acknowledge being gay, but he knows better than anyone that you need to go at your own speed.
"I think it would be great if everybody could be out," he said. "But it's such a personal choice. People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that. I do have to say that the more people who come out, the better it is for everyone, certainly for the Tyler Clementis of the world."
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I respect his honesty and courage.
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so for 45 years he was what he hates, a hypocrite. CNN leads cable on this.
Laureen; so do I - hes a good person and newsman and his sexual preference shouldnt matter to anyone
Ok I get it -- But why do we need to know this about him? It is irrelevant to me whether he is straight or gay or whatever. Does he do is job on CNN well? That matters to me. Is he a decent human being? That matters to me.
I'm sure it made him feel better about him self, and kudos to him, but for me it's NEXT ARTICLE PLEASE.
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I can understand Don's concern but in this day and age, sexual orientation isn't a big deal. Don is a terrific reporter and extremely good looking, keep on keeping on.
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Great reporter?
I remember he was basically in tears over a murderer getting the needle...ya real great
he's trying to sell a book.
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why is this news and who the bleep cares?
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More black and white women for me! No biggie DonBo! You're a cool journalist.
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Don is the greatest and nobody cares what he is. He is one of the best newcasters on TV, so bright and intelligent. He is a credit to the human race.
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Lemon is a fruit. Makes sense
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I ALWAYS WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY DON'S REPORTINGS AND WORK AND I CERTAINLY WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH HIS SHOWS AND HOPE HE DOESNT DWELL ON HIS REVEALMENT TOO MUCH...HIS PRIVATE LIFE IS HIS AND NONE OF MY BUSINESS.
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I agree totally. he is a good reporter, seems genuinely knowledgeable about every story he does. i simply dont care what happens in his bedroom, as i can guarantee he doesnt care what happens in mine. be strong, Don ! !
Love to watch him on CNN...very easy on the eyes.....
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So true. I'm wondering what happened to his wife. He got married in 2009.
Don Lemmon, you are brave and I am glad that you came out. It sets a positive example for young people who may be scared. I respect you even more.
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He never "came out" he let it slip when he said he was so called molested as a kid. Hes more than a double minority, he's also a whiner, that makes him a triple minority, also ive heard hes under 5 feet tall, that makes him a quadruple minority. Get a Life Lemon. Your name speaks for your attitude.
Cnn will still be in last place.
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Hey Don, slim pickings huh? Try asking Anderson for his leftovers! A book aint gonna get you the stick.
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It really doesn't matter to me what Don's sexual orientation is. All I care about is that he does his job well on CNN and that's it. God Bless u player ;)
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"Double Minority?" - "Double Rainbow"
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