Anderson Cooper: ‘I didn’t want to send a message that there was anything I was ashamed about’

By Alex Weprin 

On the season premiere of his syndicated talk show today, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper talked about why he decided to come out over the Summer.

Co-host Kristen Chenowith egged him on toward the top of the program, saying “Anyway, I think we both had big summers. Am I wrong?”

“Yeah, I guess. I did have a big summer,” Cooper replied.

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It just got to the point where I’ve been torn for a long time between a desire as a reporter to just do my job and be known as a reporter and at the same time I do think visibility is important. I do think that the tide of history only moves forward when everyone is fully visible. I think it is important just to, I didn’t want to send a message that there was anything I was ashamed about or unhappy about or not comfortable with. That was the main thing for me. I appreciate all the support I got and all the encouragement. I am the same person I always was, I do the job just the same way.

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