CNN presenter Anderson Cooper, who hosts a prime-time news show on the channel has publicly announced that he is gay.
In an email published online, Cooper said he was proud of his sexuality and had decided to speak out in case anyone thought he was ashamed.
“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,” the BBC quoted Cooper, as saying.
“I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues,” he added.
Cooper, the son of socialite Gloria Vanderbilt, claimed that he had not previously spoken out on his sexual orientation for ‘personal and professional reasons’.
Cooper’s sexual orientation had long been subject to rumours, while his show, Anderson Cooper 360, received an award earlier this year from a gay rights group.
CNN declined to comment on the matter.