Anderson Cooper: ‘I’m gay, always have been, always will be’

A few weeks ago, Entertainment Weekly ran a story about public figures coming out as gay. Andrew Sullivan reached out to Anderson Cooper to get his feedback on the subject. Anderson Cooper then gave Andrew Sullivan permission to publish his full response in The Daily Beast.

“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.”

He explains why he wanted to retain privacy:

“But I’ve also wanted to retain some privacy for professional reasons. Since I started as a reporter in war zones 20 years ago, I’ve often found myself in some very dangerous places. For my safety and the safety of those I work with, I try to blend in as much as possible, and prefer to stick to my job of telling other people’s stories, and not my own. I have found that sometimes the less an interview subject knows about me, the better I can safely and effectively do my job as a journalist.”

Read the full article and response from Anderson Cooper

Image credit: GLAAD’s Facebook

Kristin Chenoweth lends her voice to GLBT actors

Kristin Chenoweth (“Glee”, “Wicked”) spoke out against a recent Newsweek article by Ramin Setoodeh. Titled “Straight Jacket”, the article singled out homosexual actors depicting heterosexual characters. Setoodeh claims that gay actors simply aren’t believable when playing straight roles. He included Chenoweth’s “Glee” costar, openly gay Jonathan Groff, claiming performances by gays in straight roles are stiff and unnatural.

Chenoweth, who is currently performing beside Sean Hayes on broadway (pictured above), was outraged by the bigoted article. The longtime supporter of LGBT rights had a strong reply, reports AutoStraddle.com.

“I know how much it means to young people struggling with their sexuality to see out & proud actors like Sean Hayes, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris and Cynthia Nixon succeeding in their work without having to keep their sexuality a secret. No one needs to see a bigoted, factually inaccurate article that tells people who deviate from heterosexual norms that they can’t be open about who they are and still achieve their dreams.”

Read Chenoweth’s full response here.

(Photo via: Associated Press)

Cyndi Lauper to open shelter for homeless LGBT youth

Singer-songwriter and actress Cyndi Lauper is opening a shelter for homeless LGBT youths in Manhattan, New York.

According to the report by Tonic, the six-story shelter, “The True Colors Residence” is backed by Cyndi's True Colors Fund, the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development and other corporate, city and New York state funds.

Just a month ago, Cyndi advocated for equality on ‘Celebrity Apprentice.’ She recently launched her Give A Damn, a campaign aimed at informing people about LGBT equality and getting people involved.

The shelter’s website states that it will be the first permanent housing facility with for LGBT youth. Housing will be available for 18-24 year old youth with a history of homelessness. Construction of the shelter began last month and is planned to open in 2011.

(Photo: West End Intergenerational Residence)

Ricky Martin: I am a fortunate homosexual man

Latin superstar Ricky Martin has came out as gay via a post on his website. He explains how many people thought his career would “collapse” if he comes out.

An excerpt from his post:

Many people told me: “Ricky it’s not important”, “it’s not worth it”, “all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse”, “many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature”. Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth.  Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions.

If someone asked me today, “Ricky, what are you afraid of?” I would answer “the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war…child slavery, terrorism…the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith.” But fear of my truth? Not at all!  On the contrary, It fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment.

[…]

I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.

(Photo: Nacho Cubero)

Famed Mexican Singer Would Rather See Children Die Than be Adopted by Gay Couple

Paquita la del Barrio, a Mexican singer has caused controversy with her comments on same-sex adoption. MSNBC reports that she said "It’s not in my taste that a poor creature should be adopted by them.“

When asked by a reporter if she would prefer a child die of hunger in the streets, or two human beings give him love and food, she responded: "That he die.”

Towleroad posted a video of her comments (Spanish, with English subtitles).

Jason Mraz & Elton John for Marriage Equality

While touring the San Diego LGBT Community Center last week and after attending attending Elton John’s Oscar Viewing party, Jason Mraz has come up with an idea that he hopes will bring together the Heterosexual and LGBT communities through the power of music.

Jason Mraz hopes to collaborate with Elton John on a modern day version of the song “Ebony and Ivory” that would bring together separate classes as the original song did in the 1980’s for racial issues of the time. Mraz has been a long-time straight ally who supports the right of homosexual couples to legally wed.

Abby Schwartz, a coordinator at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, told GLTNewsNow.com, “Jason realizes he has a platform that many do not and wants to use it to share a message of love, acceptance and equality for all.”

Sean Hayes (Jack from Will and Grace) Comes Out as Gay

Step back, Jack: The man who played TV’s iconic and over-the-top sidekick steps out of the shadow of his famous character to speak for the first time about living openly, his contribution to the gay movement, and his much-anticipated Broadway debut.

Read the interview at Advocate.com »