Re: [Peckers_Pics] Way to go Don Lemon!!

I remember so well the story of Thomas Roberts (currently an MSNBC anchor, but also a former CNN anchor) and also an abused child - albeit by a Catholic priest. A few years ago, Roberts did an intense and searing interview with Anderson Cooper about his abuse and his coming out. Then, of course, he left CNN. But the interview was very raw and emotional and was incredibly moving. I thought, at the time, that Roberts was as brave a person as could be to simultaneously admit the child abuse and that he was gay. I never did learn whether or not his leaving CNN was forced or voluntary - owing to he situation and the notoriety surrounding it.. 

So I salute Don Lemon for his incredible bravery as well.  I'm glad he has been so supported by his CNN employers. I hope that both journalists serve as models for a generation of aspiring journalists who may be gay but are apprehensive about openly being themselves.

Warren

On May 17, 2011, at 10:30 PM, Bill Laidley wrote:

 

I had not heard this news.   I admire Mr. Lemon for his fine ability on CNN and certainly hope that the network won't have a knee-jerk negative response.  He is an excellent anchor.   This must have been very difficult and I certainly admire him for this!!!     --- On Tue, 5/17/11, Mark Tillman <zebopride@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Mark Tillman <zebopride@yahoo.com> Subject: [Peckers_Pics] Way to go Don Lemon!! To: "Peckers_Pics Yahoo Group" <Peckers_Pics@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 7:55 PM   Way to go don lemon! I have personally Thought for some time now that he was gay. It was just personal vibes impressions and nuances that I got while watching him anchor on the weekends on CNN news. I tend to watch him quite often on weekends and over time developed my own opinion that he was probably gay. I can only imagine the fear he must have had and may still have regarding making his sexual orientation public! It has got to be a very hard decision in his industry and line of work. News anchors from all over the nation have been fired or "let go" for various reasons, most of which do not give the public "shock valuied" stories or reasons such as "coming out publicly that one is gay"! Other tv news reporters and news anchors have been fired for much less! Although there are other tv news anchors and reporters that are gay, such as anderson cooper, not all tv news anchors and reporters feel a need to come out publicly with their " private sexual orientation". According to many close sources and friends of don lemon in atlanta where he lives and is based with CNN, There was no shock To them that he was gay Because he already lived a openly gay life with friends and family. Their only shock was that he chose to come out publicly, Knowing that it Could very possibly derail his career with CNN News. According to a interview with 1 of his close friends, Don Had wrestled with the idea for over 2 years. His friend said that she could see a decline in his emotional well being over the past 2 years of dealing with the prospect of what might happen If he went public With the information. Thankfully don has a wonderful network of close friends and a very supportive family. However don did say that it was not always that way, Especially with his family Trying to accept his sexual orientation. Personally I am glad that he was able to reconcile the decision with himself to be true to who he is As a model And possible mentor to those younger than him trying to get into the industry But also wrestling with the same situation Of whether or not to make their sexual orientation public. Had he chosen to NOT "come out" publicly regarding his sexual orientation To the world and his employer CNN news, I for one would certainly not hold it against him or barade him for not doing so! If he had publicly used his position as an anchor to project anti gay views while at the same time being gay himself, and openly at that to friends and family, then I would say he was no better than representative aaron schock, who does exactly that! Supporting and passing anti gay legislation while all the while going to gay bars with his collection of male "friends", using them as some sort of cover for his gay illicit activity! That sort of behavior and closet case is a very dangerous individual for the GLBT community! So for what it is worth, In my opinion, I will fully continue to watch and support don lemon on CNN news! Of course there will always be "haters" And those that will crack jokes etc... But hopefully just like neil patrick henry, Don lemon's career will flourish and take him to new and higher places! I wish him the best, definitely support his decision and I hope he will use his unique and rare position as a platform to raise awareness of GLBT Issues and concerns in the Main stream international CNN News Network! Hats off to you Don.... I expect to see great things from you! As I like to say, "Keep looking up, cause that's where it all is"! Marki, aka "zebopride". Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android From: Toyz Boy <toyzboy69@yahoo.com>; To: <Peckers_Pics@yahoogroups.com>; Subject: Re: [Peckers_Pics] Twink Wars-PICS-Health-News-May 17, 2011-Boycott Trump-NBC-TARGET Sent: Tue, May 17, 2011 4:15:41 AM   Bravo, Don Lemon.  I have always liked his work, and it's nice to know that he's one of us. t. In his book, CNN anchorman Don Lemon comes out as a gay man, even as he acknowledges the risk Associated Press; May 16, 2011; Washington Post NEW YORK - CNN anchor Don Lemon has come out as a gay man in his new book, a disclosure he knows comes at a risk. While Lemon's memoir, titled "Transparent," also covers his journalism career, he's prepared for much of the reaction to focus on more personal matters, which include growing up without a father and his revelation that he was sexually abused as a child. In his book, the 45-year-old Lemon writes of having lived with "dark, ugly secrets" that took him years to bring into the light. Being black made being gay feel even worse, he said in an interview Monday, "because of how the black community perceives a gay person. An African-American male is taught that he has to be masculine." "And our community is steeped in religion, with the church preaching against homosexuality. I prayed a lot growing up that I would change, that I would be straight," he said. "But no matter how good I was, how much I prayed and denied what I was, it was always there." Lemon says it would be naive to assume that the public won't have strong opinions about what he has written, and he's braced for some people to react negatively. "But it's important for everyone to be truthful about who they are," he said, adding that CNN has been "very supportive" of his decision to go public. Few national television news anchors have publicly acknowledged being gay, with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow perhaps the best known. Lemon, who serves as a correspondent and anchors "CNN Newsroom" during weekend prime time, joined the network in 2003. "Transparent" will be released next month.

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