CNN anchor Don Lemon has openly acknowledged that he is gay in his book "Transparent," set to be released June 16. He tweeted an article in the Sunday's New York Times about the book late Sunday night, later thanking his followers for their outpouring of support in the wake of his revelation.
"I think it would be great if everybody could be out," he was quoted in the Times interview. "But it's such a personal choice....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."
The Times also reported that CNN Newsroom and the Joy Behar Show will be hosting Lemon Monday to share his story. "He has been assured of support by CNN," the Times said of his planned appearances.
Lemon has a history of pro-gay bias at CNN, featuring soft interviews of pro-gay figures and hinting that Christian churches preach the same hateful message against homosexuality that the fringe Westboro Baptist Church promotes – "God hates fags."
Last June, Lemon hosted former Army Lt. Dan Choi for a softball interview along with another homosexual activist. Choi became a poster boy for the gay-rights movement and the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" when his open declaration of his sexuality sent him packing from the military. "Was it worth the prize for speaking out?" Lemon asked Choi of his honorable discharge from the Army.
Twice last summer, Lemon hosted the same-sex couple who was the subject of CNN's slanted documentary "Gary And Tony Have A Baby" and was sympathetic to their cause. Once he asked them if they were "role models" for the gay-rights movement. "How much pressure are you feeling with so much attention for your experience? Do you feel like the gay community, in many ways, view you guys as role models?"
He also featured former NBA player John Amaechi in 2007, who publicly came out as a homosexual after his career. Lemon asked Amaechi if the NBA is "mature" enough to handle an openly-gay player. "Do you think that the NBA now is ready for a player who may be out while they're playing? Do you think the league is mature enough to handle that?"
During a segment in March with ex-Catholic priest Fr. Alberto Cutie, Lemon outlandishly hinted that Christian churches preach the same hateful message against homosexuality that the fringe Westboro Baptist Church touts, whose website reads "God hates fags."
"So father, listen, do you consider Westboro – most people don't consider it a legitimate church, okay? But is this – aren't they saying the same thing that's reinforced by religion that's being preached from the pulpit in many churches on Sunday?"
