Don Lemon on other anchors coming out: ‘People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that.’

By Chris Ariens 

The tables will be turned on CNN anchor Don Lemon today. He’ll be a guest on CNN Newsroom around 1:15pmET with Randi Kaye asking the questions about his new book Transparent — a book that was meant to be an inspirational guide, but changed focus when Lemon realized he couldn’t leave out one major fact about himself — he’s gay. Bill Carter writes in the New York Times

When he informed the publisher of his new tack, the initial reaction was caution. But when the editors saw the material, they embraced it.

“I abhor hypocrisy,” Lemon says. “I think if you’re going to be in the business of news, and telling people the truth, of trying to shed light in dark places, then you’ve got to be honest. You’ve got to have the same rules for yourself as you do for everyone else.”

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Last September, in the midst of writing this book, Lemon revealed on air that he’d been sexually abused as a child.

And while it took Lemon 45 years and a book to come out, he says every other gay news personality needs to make the decision on their own time. “I think it would be great if everybody could be out,” Lemon tells Carter. “But it’s such a personal choice. People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that.”

In addition to appearing on CNN today, Lemon will discuss with HLN’s Joy Behar tonight.

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