NPR.org | New York Times
Don Lemon says his mentors and agents always challenged him to consider whether he was willing to wear the “gay anchor” label, “and I’d have to say, at this point, why the hell not?” He notes the risks, too:
We live and die by people watching us. If I give people another reason not to watch me, that is a concern for me and that’s a concern for whoever I am working for.
My livelihood is on the line. I don’t know if people are going to accept me; if I will have a job. I don’t know how people will feel about this.
He tells NYT’s Bill Carter: “I’m scared. I’m talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for.”
Lemon is asked by NPR’s David Folkenflikwhy being gay would somehow detract from the perception of his performance.
Most people would think if you’re the prime news anchor, then you should sort of be this Edward R. Murrow, Clark Kent guy with the family and 2.5 kids — or the perky cute, yet smart Katie Couric,” Lemon said. “Anyone would have to be naive to think that it wouldn’t make a difference.
Lemon spoke to NPR, with CNN’s permission, a month before his memoir, “Transparent,” hits bookstores. Last September, he told viewers that he was “a victim of a pedophile,” and that “I’ve carried this secret since I was 6 years old [and] didn’t tell my mom until I was 30. Too embarrassed. Too ashamed.”
* “Livelihood ‘on the line,’ CNN anchor reveals he’s gay” [NPR]
* “Don Lemon of CNN knows risk of coming out as gay” [NYT}
* “Lemon trending on Twitter after coming out” [Forbes] | @donlemoncnn
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