09/13/2005
Removing the Filter
New York magazine's Jonathan van Meter interviews Anderson Cooper on the recent goings-on in New Orleans, his childhood, and his on-air confrontation with Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu regarding the anger of the American people. It's probably one of the more interesting articles on Cooper I've ever read. Here's the part where they talk about his sexuality:
Obviously, the other downside to his growing fame is that it serves to ratchet up the interest in his personal life, something he has been very careful to keep out of the press. There has been a lot of chatter on the Internet about the fact that Cooper may or may not be gay, and Village Voice columnist Michael Musto has taken pleasure in quoting the gay magazine Metrosource, which has referred to Cooper as “the openly gay news anchor.” It has been assumed in certain circles in New York partly because he lives what looks to some to be a gay social life. He’s often seen at parties with Barry Diller, and he’s friends with the lead singer from the outré gay rock band the Scissor Sisters. And then there was the tempest in a teapot regarding a slightly heated interview last fall with Jerry Falwell about gay marriage. Some Cooper-obsessed bloggers insist that the anchor outed himself on the air, taking the gay side of the debate and saying, “We pay taxes.” They claim CNN originally posted a transcript with the “we” and then later changed it to “You pay taxes.” Cooper has maintained all along that he said “you.”When I bring up the sexuality issue with Cooper, he says, “You know, I understand why people might be interested. But I just don’t talk about my personal life. It’s a decision I made a long time ago, before I ever even knew anyone would be interested in my personal life. The whole thing about being a reporter is that you’re supposed to be an observer and to be able to adapt with any group you’re in, and I don’t want to do anything that threatens that.”
They just about prove that Anderson is the most openly closeted gay man in America. It doesn't matter, I'll watch him for the news anyway.
Posted 10:24 AM EST by Andy Towle in Film & TV | Permalink
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Tom Shales in todays Washington Post thinks that CBS should be recruiting Anderson for the anchor chair....I wouldn't be surprised if ABC was thinking the same thing.
Shales: "Ironically or not, Cooper's status as a newsman-with-a-heart makes him television kin to Dan Rather...Beyond that, Cooper has a newness to him, a wry touch of attitude that he very effectively modulates on the air. It is something that, combined with his visual appeal, could help bring young viewers to news-thus bucking or perhaps even reversing a long and dismaying trend in the other direction. Cooper, uh, still, um, has, uh, trouble ad-libbing, but when reading, when talking into the camera and making viewer contact, he is all poise and polish without being slick. He's no Stepford Anchor, and he deserves a bigger and better chance than CNN can give him."
Posted by: matt-chicago | Sep 13, 2005 10:40:49 AM
He is gay, trust me; we were at Yale at the same time.
Posted by: bbm | Sep 13, 2005 10:40:54 AM
I am sure we are going to be reading a lot of closet case comments. But I really do not think it matters nor is it his duty to come out publicly. It is his life he should be able to lead it anyway he chooses.
He is certainly on a roll with media coverage. Yesterday was the 2nd NYT article about him finding his voice and this New York article and the fashion spread
Good for him.
Posted by: Donald | Sep 13, 2005 10:47:08 AM
gay or straight, he will be mine. oh yes, he will be mine.
Posted by: Digby | Sep 13, 2005 10:54:06 AM
while we all love to see lots of openly gay folks - i think it is much much better to have a good reporter who's personal life isn't part of the story - we all know he's queer, and that's nice. HE needn't comment on it. and he, and i think rightfully, doesn't want to become a story - and the first "openly gay anchorperson" would be a big story - he's entitled not to want to be that story.
Posted by: bj | Sep 13, 2005 11:05:55 AM
I agree. The NYT article was a great read. More power to Anderson Cooper. His coverage of the hurricane has been exceptional.
Posted by: Brandon | Sep 13, 2005 11:08:15 AM
I, for one, am disappointed that Cooper dodged the sexuality question. Would Rather, Brokaw, or Jennings dodge a question about their heterosexuality and say "I don't discuss my personal life"? No. This is the whole Ricky Martin v. Barbara Walters thing. If you're straight what are the chances that you're going to say "it's no one's business and I don't want to dissapoint my fans." Openly closeted is a bullshit old-school response in a time when 12-years-old put their life on their line and publicly come out in junior high. Furthemore, I know he is not married so his personal life is not in the public records per se, but being gay is not a personal matter anymore than being straight is. If we keep hinging these definitions of sexuality people are likely to associate it with private matters. I think we should start using the term homoaffectional or something like that - so it's not always about sex.
Posted by: H | Sep 13, 2005 11:15:31 AM
I agree with H. While it is nice that Coop is getting such good press, the fact that he refuses to confirm or deny the rumors is a body blow to visibility. It is only when people know that gay people exist will society have to face up to the myriad issues confronting gays and lesbians.
In short: grow a spine Coop!
Posted by: Benson | Sep 13, 2005 11:23:47 AM
The thing is, Anderson DOES talk about his personal life. In that very interview, he discusses, among other things (1) his relationship with his father; (2) the fact that his brother's suicide led him to journalism; (3) his early career as a child model and the fact that he left because he was propositioned by an older man (a nice bit of gay "ick" factor thrown in there; and (4) how growing up as the son of Gloria Vanderbilt helped him handle fame. So let's be real: it's just his sexuality he doesn't talk about.
That's his choice, of course, and at this point I don't think we're so desperate for gay role models that it's all that important whether he comes out or not. But let's just be clear about what's going on: he's not drawing some neutral line between the personal and the public (as if such a line were possible), he's hiding the fact that he's gay.
That said, I still think he's an excellent anchor and I hope -- for the sake of journalism -- he goes far.
Posted by: Glenn | Sep 13, 2005 11:25:12 AM
Of course it "matters" that he continues to stay in the closet. His coming out would "matter" to the thousands perhaps millions of young gay kids and teens who are bereft of role models. Is it his prerogative to stay in the closet? Of course. It is his responsibility to be a role model. Of course not. But I'm just sick and tired of making excuses for guys like Anderson Cooper, who enjoy all the benefits of a gay lifestyle without any of the accountability or responsibility. He better than anyone knows that the acceptance of gays in policy, legislation, and the national consciousness is directly related to whether citizens know other gay people. He has the power to affect millions in this regard. Sure, it is his choice, but it doesn't make it a good one.
Posted by: Matt | Sep 13, 2005 11:34:59 AM
It's his life, he can do what he wants to do, and if doesn't wish to discuss it, he doesn't have to. Who are any of you to tell someone else what they should and shouldn't do.
Posted by: Mike | Sep 13, 2005 11:46:15 AM
Coming out just isn't what it used to be, most especially for the younger generations. It often lacks the trauma, theatre, pain, and general life-chaos it meant even 10 years ago.
Cooper grew up in NYC, and anyone who has spent any considerable time in the City knows it's largely a non-issue in the professional world, most especially at CNN.
This is an important issue for older gays, mostly. For the present generation of gays outting this or that person is less important than getting down to the hard, non-drama-based work of convincing through reason and hammering out legislation that will make real, lasting difference to our way of life.
Gaydom's agenda has, finally, moved beyond the need for the spectacular. Cooper's choice reflects that maturity.
rob@egoz.org
Posted by: rob adams | Sep 13, 2005 11:50:05 AM
I see a difference between outness (which Anderson is in his private life) and keeping the voyeuristic media at bay--Anderson should understand that better than anyone. Gwyneth and hubbie have done the same thing, largely, as have Ewan and wife. Compare this with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez: the media destroyed them. As reporters become celebrities in their own right, they make media relations decisions, too. Anderson clearly has decided to keep personal personal and business business. More power to him. Can you imagine the frenzy if he officially came out on air: Christian conservatives boycotting already ratings-challenged CNN, Anderson the gay man becomes the story, instead of the stories he wants to--and should--cover, etc. That does not best serve either Anderson's career or the audience who learns from his reporting. He does as much to serve the GLBTQ communities by reporting in a non-Fox balanced way on issues that pertain to them as he would if he came out on air. In fact, he perhaps serves GLBTQ people more this way because he can keep the focus on the issues and not on his personal life. This choice of his (and it is a valid, well-thought-out choice worthy of respect) seems like a no-brainer.
Posted by: aba | Sep 13, 2005 12:05:16 PM
"Who are any of you to tell someone else what they should and shouldn't do." -- Mike
Who are we to have an opinion and express it, you mean? Um, I dunno, maybe we're free human beings?
This particularly idiotic line of thought never ceases to amaze me. No one's suggesting that Congress pass the "Anderson Cooper Truth In Sexuality Act of 2005." No one thinks he should be thrown into a cell with Judy Miller until he breaks.
Posted by: Glenn | Sep 13, 2005 12:19:29 PM
why do we care if he's gay or not??? does it really matter?
Posted by: Roy | Sep 13, 2005 12:24:02 PM
I don't think it does matter, Roy. As for role models for kids, I think it's more important that they know their uncle or teacher or doctor or neighbor is gay and living the same life they are.
Posted by: Michael | Sep 13, 2005 12:40:07 PM
That Anderson is gay is a known and accepted fact along the same lines as the earth revolves around the sun and last season’s Prada looks just like this season’s Prada.
Regardless, he is brilliant.
Posted by: Sebastian | Sep 13, 2005 12:50:45 PM
Doesn't Coop Dig Young Latino Boyz?
Posted by: Riky | Sep 13, 2005 1:00:55 PM
Chaining Cooper to a Prime-time Anchor's desk would be a crime. He's much better when free to range across the country-side at times in pursuit of major stories and events. And he shoots his own footage.
Let Coooper be Cooper.
Posted by: Ted B. | Sep 13, 2005 1:18:07 PM
Regardless of Anderson Cooper’s sexuality he is very good at what he does. There are plenty of other talking heads out there that are just background noise. Regardless of his sexuality he is the whole package when it comes to news anchor material: Handsome without being overly sexual, well spoken and sincere in his demeanor without sounding coached or disingenuous. Most of all he is very comfortable in front of the camera and comes across as a reliable acquaintance who is in the ‘know’.
Posted by: Slate | Sep 13, 2005 1:24:06 PM
Hey Matt
Benefits of the Gay lifestyle? What does that mean?
Posted by: Donald | Sep 13, 2005 2:26:05 PM
I know what benefits I get from being in a great relationship with a great guy but what are the general / global benefits
Posted by: Donald | Sep 13, 2005 2:30:40 PM
Odd... Basically this means he's taken a step back *INTO* the closet, because around the time of the first Mole series he was very much openly gay.
Too bad that with increased success he's started being coy about it all. Get back to being yourself, Anderson. You weren't hiding it before. Don't start now.
Posted by: Alan | Sep 13, 2005 3:49:24 PM
"Openly closeted is a bullshit old-school response in a time when 12-year-olds put their life on the line and publicly come out in junior high." Couldn't have said it better myself.
Whatever else he is or is not, he's a coward. Period. Fuck him--and not in the good way.
Posted by: Leland | Sep 13, 2005 4:16:14 PM
Tsk tsk such venom.
Anyway with all the other posts today this one had the most comments. Once again cute guys / hot guys rule and get the most comments.
Posted by: Donald | Sep 13, 2005 6:01:58 PM