02/26/2008
Anderson Cooper on the Lawrence King Murder
Last night on AC360, Anderson Cooper covered the Lawrence King murder and bullying in public schools. The segment offered some details that I hadn't heard, such as some possibilities on Brandon McInerney's motive for the shooting.
View the Lawrence King segment from AC360, which the Huffington Post notes was sadly omitted from the program's official podcast, as well as statements made this week by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on King's murder, AFTER THE JUMP...
Statements from the Democratic candidates on the Lawrence King murder:
Said Obama: "It was heartbreaking to learn about Lawrence King's death, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. King's senseless death is a tragic example of the corrosive effect that bigotry and fear can have in our society. It's also an urgent reminder that we need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity; that we must enact a federal hate crimes law that protects all LGBT Americans; and that we must recommit ourselves to becoming active and engaged parents, citizens and neighbors, so that bias and bigotry cannot take hold in the first place. We all have a responsibility to help this nation live up to its founding promise of equality for all."
Said Clinton: "I was deeply saddened by the recent death of 15-year-old Lawrence King who was killed at his school in Oxnard, CA. No one should face intimidation or violence, particularly at school, because of their sexual orientation or the way they express their gender identity. We must finally enact a federal hate crimes law to ensure that gay, lesbian and transgender Americans are protected against violent, bias-motivated crimes. We must send a unified message that hate-based crime will not be tolerated."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 6:30 PM EST by Andy in Anderson Cooper, Barack Obama, Bullying, Crime, Hillary Clinton, Lawrence King, News | Permalink
Comments
god - that's just so sad - thanks for posting this
Posted by: john | Feb 26, 2008 6:39:51 PM
Andy, thanks for posting this. I actually saw Anderson teasing this story during Larry King Live, but got distracted and missed the whole segment.
I totally agree that the American education system needs to be refined and revised to including sexual orientation education.
However, is anyone else here irked as much as it irks me by how they keep saying, "Oh, we need to teach tolerance?" Gay men and women don't need to be tolerated -- i.e. that person on the metro train who's got his/her music up so loud, or that discourteous person in a restaurant who yaks through dinner on the cellphone like it's their home.
It's about being understood, and being respected and treated as an equal. That's all there really is to it.
Posted by: James | Feb 26, 2008 7:00:58 PM
That sure beats the hell out of the interview AC did after the Virginia Tech shooting where his guest (supposedly a behavioral psychologist), without one shred of evidence to back up her claim, pronounced that the shooter was MOST LIKELY gay. She went on and on about how his being reserved and anti-social was clear evidence that he was gay. She ignored the fact that he was known for making unwanted passes at women and then being angry when he was rebuffed. I sat complete disbelief as Cooper let her go on with this offensive and inciting screed without challenging her a single time or asking her to give some evidence to back up her claim.
I sent transcripts of the show to Andy (numerous times), Media Matters and to all of the progressive blogs but not one single one of them would post the story.
I guess it's unacceptable to post anything negative about the Coop.
I am at least glad that someone in the national media is covering this tragedy.
Posted by: Zeke | Feb 26, 2008 7:10:38 PM
I do not understand the infatuation with this man. Anderson Cooper is the most arrogant, obnoxious and rude individual I have had the displeasure of meeting. At a restaurant one evening we joined him and mutual friends for drinks, in which he was rude to the staff and anyone who wouldn't give him the floor and complete attention. Of course he was there with his partner, but will never acknowledge being gay in a time when kids (and adults) need more successful, positive gay role models. My apologies for my strong remarks, but I find it appalling that he has the nerve to report about tolerance and the killing of a gay student when he himself can't make the move in acknowledging his own sexuality. Ex-CNN anchor Thomas Roberts was strong enough in coming out, and for whatever reasons didn't stay with the network. If more people like him were brave enough in doing so, the world would be one step closer to acceptance, and kids like Lawrence King would have had some hope. It starts there.
Posted by: Cory | Feb 26, 2008 8:17:21 PM
You are absolutely right Cory. Forget about Lance Bass, where is Perez Hilton when we need him to publicly 'out' someone?
Posted by: Butter | Feb 26, 2008 8:22:49 PM
Oh, fucking PLEASE! This six minute segment squeezed in between useless coverage of that old fool Ralph Nader running for President for the FIFTH time and Gary Busey freaking out Jennifer Garner by kissing her on the back of the neck on the Oscar red carpet deserved its own thread? Bull. I don't care if Cooper shits Emmys while fucking you, he's a light weight, and the tabloid format of his show proves it as much as anything. He went from this gay kid having his brains blown out to "COOPER: The international man of mystery, Kim Jong-Il" blah blah blah.
And Gloria Vanderbilt's little boy doesn't help things when he says, emphasis mine:
"But there's a lot of parents out there who, you know, are uncomfortable, obviously, with homosexuality, don't want IT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, don't want IT discussed in schools." Yeh, we know, Coop, and you're not helping by reinforcing the idea that "it" can be "taught" or that that's something gay advocates are suggesting. Freshman English 8 AM; Algebra 9 AM; Fellatio 10 AM.
And couldn't he have take a little time from the segment on Kim Don Dung just to say that it doesn't matter if a homosexual [not like him] is attracted to you—that's no justification for murdering them, whether you're 14 or an adult ambushed on the Jenny Jones Show.
I’m not the first one to say that cowards like Cooper hiding in their gilded closets are a PART of the problem of homohatred in our society. If more well-known, respected people came out, kids with guns like McInery would be less likely to target gay or trans kids and the schools would be more motivated to have a zero tolerance program for bullying.
John Edwards—remember him?—answered said during the LOGO forum that he thought respect for gays and gay families, that our society values them, SHOULD BE TAUGHT in public schools! Even gay media were too busy lubing their heads to stick up Obama's ass to pay any attention to that revolutionary statement from a Presidential candidate.
And speaking of, given that Sen. Clinton released her statement about King’s murder a day before Obama released his, was it too much not to at least put their statements in chronological order?
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Feb 26, 2008 8:32:15 PM
Cory's account of his experience with Anderson Cooper (if it's true) is the first time I've ever heard anyone call him rude or an attention whore. It's hard to know how people really are, but that's as about as far from how he comes across. He's always struck me as low-key and polite. I'm one of the few people who don't really have an issue with Anderson and his silence on his sexuality. If he ever decides to make a statement, fine, but it's his decision.
Posted by: Matt | Feb 26, 2008 9:52:29 PM
Well Matt, I will concede that perhaps he was having a bad day, but that was the situation. As someone who has worked in the service industry, I am very aware of how to treat other people, and he didn't treat his fellow guests with the same courtesy he seemed to desire.
Further, Mr. Cooper is a news anchor, one with a show (presumedly) addressing national and global issues. Cooper addressed an issue that, quite frankly, he simply reinforces. Homophobia starts with each and every one of us, by not coming to terms with his sexuality he is in essence showing shame. Lance Bass, Thomas Roberts, Neil Patrick Harris, and others have come out at a time when doing so may hurt their careers. They have risked whatever may be lost in their lives by announcing they are openly gay. Mr Cooper's political news position, especially with topics regarding homophobia and the killing of children in our school systems, makes his stance that much more relevant. It is hypocritical to make comments and suggesting ways in fighting homophobia when one does not do those very things. Yes, it is his life, he has the ultimate decision in coming out and I certainly would not want someone to feel I should come out when I am not ready. However, Mr Cooper is a vocal political news figure reporting on homophobia, giving opinions on the matter, when he has done nothing personally lead by example.
As for his personal life, it's none of my business. I am making my statements based on personal experience as well as what I have personally seen. I am not passing judgment, but would rather see someone who can make a difference, make a difference. Lead by example, not doing so perpetuates the idea that coming out is shameful, and it would give hope to so many people by being a role model.
Posted by: Cory | Feb 26, 2008 10:15:45 PM
When are "homosexuals" (Anderson's term) going to wake up and realize what how utterly fuck-wad-ian Cooper is?
"Oh, but he's adorable and hosted New Year's with Kathy Griffin! I saw a picture of him with Jake Shears. He's out! Leave him alone!"
Is self-esteem that low in the gay community that some get off on fetishizing a closet case? A closet case with a national forum. This piece of shit goes on Oprah detailing his personal life including his brother's suicide while doing whatever it takes to keep the fact that he's a gay man under wraps... in the year 2008... its grotesque and unforgiveable. Still, I've no doubt GLAAD will be awarding Anderson shortly for this "brave piece".
This news segment was omitted from the podcast? Geez, I wonder who is behind that?
A child is brutually murdered in his classroom with two bullets pumped point blank into the back of his skull and the country hears crickets. My prayers are with the put upon killer who may have "just snapped" due to unwanted homosexual advances. Not "snapped", but "just snapped". There's a difference.
I think I'll go watch that hysterical Jimmy Kimmel video now, paint my nails in my daisy dukes, and forget about this dead homosexual. He wasn't even hot anyway!
Posted by: JohnInManhattan | Feb 26, 2008 10:29:56 PM
It saddens me that the discourse in this thread has become all about Anderson Cooper when it should be all about a 15 year old child, Lawrence King, whose life was cut short simply because he dared to be himself. I am not sure why exactly but his murder has hit home like a ton of bricks. It has saddened me with the realization that maybe we are not as understanding a society as I had hoped. And brought me back 30 years to a time when I was a 15 year old boy who while not open about his sexuality (I didn't even understand it myself) was consistently bullied for being different. So just for a moment let's cease with whether we think Anderson Cooper is being disingenuous by reporting on such a story without coming out himself -- and take a moment to mourn yet another young life cut short by hate.
Posted by: robertmalcolm | Feb 26, 2008 11:04:04 PM
Robert, my point was simply that Cooper is not a part of the solution in this matter, but part of the problem. Homophobia was the driving force in this tragedy, and I have commented on this in other threads. Anderson Cooper is the associated topic, differing from other threads regarding Lawrence King, and I have a problem with someone who refuses to acknowledge his own sexuality report on how to solve the homophobia that has resulted in this tragedy. If more people in the mainstream culture, people who have the power to be role models and use their celebrity and (Vanderbilt) money to combat this tragedy we would be one step closer in equality and acceptance. That was simply my point :).
Posted by: Cory | Feb 26, 2008 11:11:41 PM
Has anyone thought to ask where this kid's killer got his hands on a gun?
Posted by: mcQ | Feb 26, 2008 11:39:19 PM
this story saddens me to no end. i grew up in Oxnard, CA [where this awful event took place] and i can't help but think back to when i was in school there. i didn't come out until i was 25 and while things were very different in the late 80s when i was Lawrence's age, i could never have been so bold. his bravery and insistence on being himself is inspiring.
as for Anderson - i used to think he was cute when he hosted ABC News Now in the wee hours and he'd wear cute pink dress shirts. Nowadays I'm more of a Brian Williams kinda guy. Coop's lost his soul.
Posted by: buzz | Feb 26, 2008 11:43:47 PM
Judging by the tone of these comments, Anderson will still be despised even *if* he ever decides to come out publicly. I think I'll save my criticism for those hypocritical politicians who secretly hide their sexuality while at the same time doing everything in their power to hurt the gay community. Only my opinion, but I find those types far more heinous than a news anchor who keeps his personal life (meaning sex and sexuality) to himself.
Posted by: Matt | Feb 26, 2008 11:44:57 PM
Cory, I actually think your statements about Anderson Cooper are spot on, and was just worried that the conversation was straying from the fact that this young man's life was so tragically cut short. That said, let's just hope that some day every 15 year old can simply be themselves without the fear of a fellow student expressing their hatred with a gun.
Posted by: robertmalcolm | Feb 27, 2008 12:09:37 AM
Robert, no worries. :) It's tough commenting online, so much can be read into comments regarding tone and such (and this is just a general comment). My friends and I joke that WWIII will be started by a misinterpreted email lol.
The real tragedy is the loss of this young man's life. I am in disbelief that some are stating that the attackers was, as one news anchor put it, "humiliated" because King supposedly had a crush on him and made so publicly. Basically, they're stating the "gay panic" defense is the reason for what happened. My jaw dropped. I was in tears when they interviewed a young classmate, who was his best friend, as she said she was the only student who would come in defense of King when numerous other students verbally and physically assaulted him.
Where are the TEACHERS? Why aren't the parents of these kids, the parents that are teaching these kids hate and intolerance, held accountable for the actions of the children they raise? These are kids, who simply reiterate what they learn from home and school. It starts at home, and these parents need to be held accountable.
Posted by: Cory | Feb 27, 2008 12:38:36 AM
Cory, two points:
I was all ready to come in here and say that Cooper basically came out tonight. But you made me realize that, no, that's not true and, yes, he's being a wimp. It's funny that in real life I have zero tolerance for people who didn't come out by 20, yet I give him a pass. No more.
Second, we still don't know the full story. Some of the wording on this story comes close to suggesting that the killer had perhaps been intimate with King. I have zero idea, but I do know that 14-year-old boys are very horny and sometimes do things sexually they may regret and, not knowing how to process it, have hormone and violence explosions (especially, say, if their father was a rapid homophobe). I could speculate a lot further about their relationship, but I won't.
Posted by: Paul R | Feb 27, 2008 2:05:41 AM
As F. Scott Fitzgeralds' narrator in "The Great Gatsby" roughly said: The rich are different from you & me; they have more money. Poor little Anderson has to steel himself from the questionable meritocracy of the media outlets to entertain the self-delusion that he's made it on his own in a rough-and-tumble career world open to the unwashed masses as well as the slumming literati of the Ivy League. After all, banking can be so damned boring. The blood of this tragic foster child Lawrence King, only one of many thousands of crushed lives which are routinely processed through our "egalitarian" system of public education, is only remarkable to the likes of this dilettante descendant of the criminal fortunes of the Vanderbilt Robber Baron, because Anderson himself can dreamily cast himself in the role of a forgotten lower class homosexual teen, just as Marie Antoinette played peasant in her Petit Hameau, for his self-aggrandizement as the exception who deigns to care. A pox on all of the American one percent who play so easily recklessly with the lives of we slobs who watch to the penny how we fill out our IRS paperwork less we become subject to an audit to regain perhaps $1,000 while the super rich of this obscenely affluent country throw millions down ratholes in the deserts called Dubai & Kuwait to escape paying taxes to fund our "volunteer" armies who roam the world that hates US so! Where do the unravelled threads begin & end? Is there even one media outlet that can call a spade a spade without concern about which affluent client will become dyspeptic?
Posted by: Tom | Feb 27, 2008 4:00:54 AM
The slaughter of Lawrence King, Sanesha Stewart and Simmie Williams in such a short time is not a good sign. It indicates that we’re in for a rough ride; it’s an election year when gaybashing, harassment and lynchings usually increase.
It’s not a bad thing when Clinton and Obama comment on the murder of Lawrence King but it is a hollow and shamefully hypocritical thing. Why didn’t Obama, Hillary or most of the Democrats raise a stink and demand that the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill, which had passed both houses, be sent to Bush? Why were they silent when fellow Democrats Pelosi and Reid tossed it the toilet so that the Republicans couldn’t claim, heaven forefend, that Democrats are pro-GLBT?
Why didn’t Obama, Hillary or most of the Democrats stand up for up us when fellow Democrat Barney Frank gutted ENDA? Why didn’t either of them demand the repeal of the Clintons DOMA and DADT while they sat in Congress? Why did they allow fellow Democrat Diane Feinstein to ram through gaybashing Bush nominees for the 5th US Circuit Court of appeals and as Attorney General?
It’s because they’re liars hustling for votes for a right centrist party. They hustle votes from us and then they hustle votes from bigots? Why would anyone believe campaign lies? Why would anyone rely on either of them to do any better in the White House?
A Republican is a baboon in a people suit with a totalitarian christian attached at the thigh. A Democrat is a Republican in Drag. Eight years olds are forgiven if they believe politicians, divorce lawyers, priests and used car sellers. Grownups have no excuse. Who needs Republicans with Democrats like these?
Posted by: Bill Perdue, RainbowRED | Feb 27, 2008 6:54:15 AM
Until hetero America is comfortable with its own sexuality, homo America will always be subject to taunting, ridicule and fear.
Until political America returns to fundamentals by electing true statesmen and stops career politicians (who only seem to say what the most voting people want to hear at any given moment, just to get elected) our legal progress stands no chance of improvement.
Until lawmakers are challenged to make laws that matter and make sense, and stop wasting time, money and energy by making an issue about "protecting marriage" (from what, more marriage?) by instead spending their time protecting all Americans from crime, hunger and financial calamity by strenghening the laws that we already have...then we will always be in the same position we are in now.
Finally, until bigotry and its insidious guise of deception are called into light, challenged, and battled into submission, none of us are free.
Posted by: Dave | Feb 27, 2008 8:07:03 AM
This is the world we live in, and it saddens me more every day. It's acceptable that people get beaten to a pulp or killed for saying "good morning," being openly comfortable with who they are or leaving a gay bar. It's acceptable that closeted, hypocritical politicians can shut down any and all rights for gay people while they're hooking up with interns or escorts or undercover cops in airport bathrooms. It's fine to disallow gay people to get married BECAUSE IT HURTS HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE when someone like Pamela Anderson can get married and divorced as often as she changes her bra.
I agree with James. Tolerance isn't what we need to teach. Humanity is what we need to teach. People need to respect other people. End of sentence. And violence--against anyone--needs to be punished.
Posted by: Larry | Feb 27, 2008 8:49:46 AM
DAVE, HEAR HEAR!
Well said bubba.
Posted by: Zeke | Feb 27, 2008 9:14:40 AM
Bottom Line: There is no excuse for Anderson Cooper not being out.
NONE.
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Feb 27, 2008 9:30:57 AM
The gay panic defense, here we go again. Especially reprehensible when the victim is 15 years old. I only hope the real problem of bullying isn't pushed aside by this idea that the killer was the victim of a crush and then suddenly snapped (that favorite word). As always, many people would rather implicate a homo sexual subtext between two misfits rather than a culture of bullying that involves their own children. But at least Larry's death is getting some attention.
As for Anderson, I've always been light on him, but after seeing his questioning here, I'm less tolerant. I know that, unlike the O'Reillys of the world, he's attempting to be an objective reporter rather than an opinion-maker, but the disconnect between his gayness and his generic questioning (as if homosexuality was no more personal to him than nuclear physics) just seemed cowardly. By refusing to use his own life experience at all, he's locked himself into newscaster robotics, and it's only going to become more constraining for him as time goes on. Thanks to Cory and others for opening my eyes on this one. I was letting him coast on silver-haired cuteness for too long.
Posted by: Ernie | Feb 27, 2008 10:42:30 AM
Has anyone thought that maybe AC is contractually obligated to NOT disclose his sexual orientation?
Don't get me wrong, I think he should be ashamed for not doing so, but it is a possibility. Also, if I were to ever run in or have dinner with AC, his reasons for not coming out would be the first question I asked. Regardless of whether or not I pissed him off or anyone else I was with. He needs to be confronted.
As for the sad situation with Mr. King, when I was in school (mid-80's, rural Georgia) there was always a safe place to turn in school, i.e., a classroom and teacher. When/why did this stop? Kids are bullied (and not just because of sexuality) every day in every school and the teachers and administrators are very well aware that it is going on. I refuse to believe they do not. While parents need to take ultimate responsiblity for how their children behave, the school needs to be held accountable for ignoring and essentially allowing the bullying to escalate to murder. It's sickening, really.
Posted by: Jeremy | Feb 27, 2008 12:00:01 PM
I've gone on record before expressing my discontent about how Anderson gets too little criticism here compared to, say, Lance Bass or TR Knight who despite other flaws, at least aren't still closeted. I'm really glad to see that people are finally coming around. Thank you Cory for saying it like it is, people really need to hear it.
Posted by: Butter | Feb 27, 2008 12:37:39 PM
Sorry about double posting but I just want to reply to Jeremy directly:
About Anderson: If it's in his contract, he should sue CNN for discrimination and maybe work for Logo?
About King: When I was at school in the 90's, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I was constantly bullied in and out of the classrooms. And I wasn't even out, until I was "outed" freshman year of high school by my supposed "best friend".
I can give you my account that the teachers just sat idly by as other students threw school supplies at me during most classes. Needless to say I didn't pass freshman year, and did an Equivalency course instead. I didn't grow the balls to decide to go to college until two years after I got my high school diploma, this time I spent pretty much as a shut-in at home.
Now I'm 22 years old, 3rd year of Industrial Design college. Many of my teachers are gay, some of my classmates are gay, but everyone except me is closeted. Some, like Anderson, will sometimes allude to it, but don't dare say the "G" word out loud.
There is still plenty of homophobia, although nowadays I have learned how to stand up for myself for the most part. Even tough things are obviously not perfect, it still feels like paradise compared to High School.
Posted by: Butter | Feb 27, 2008 1:05:29 PM
So, parents are uncomfortable with "homosexuality" being "taught" in schools? How do you "teach homosexuality"? What they are afraid of is that the TRUTH might taught--that gay and lesbian people are HUMAN BEINGS and that they are born gay or lesbian and no amount of hellfire and brimstone or bullshit jesus is going to change any gay or lesbian into something they cannot or do not want to be--which is "straight". What angers me is no one in the media is discussing the fundamentalist filth and homophobe bigots like Naugle in Ft. Lauderdale (and nearly another murder there) or James Dobson as the ones who are ultimately responsible for such tragedies as the death of that lovely child, Lawrence King. What outcry would there be if a group of gays decided to go out and beat the bloody hell out of some straight boy? Perhaps that is the only option left: fight violence with violence.
Posted by: mike | Feb 27, 2008 1:15:14 PM
My friends [straight] saw this first as a promo on Larry King and then watched it. They thought it had just happened. When I told them that it happened two weeks ago, they wanted to know why they hadn't heard about it then. I told them the obvious - if it isn't a straight mass-murder and it is gay the MSM doesn't have anything to do with it.
When I told them about the kid that was killed in Fort Lauderdale this weekend and the guy who was attacked for saying "Good Morning" they saw, for the first time, exactly what we deal with.
Now, these are my closest friends [almost family] who have never had any problem with my being gay, have met my gay friends, have known many other gays that I don't know, and have been totally supportive in every way. I would trust them with my life.
We are all so insulated. I am sad that it has to take a Matthew Shepard or Lawrence King to underline the inequality and fear that really exists in this country.
Posted by: mike/ | Feb 27, 2008 1:30:39 PM
This is just sad.
On the topic of AC, do anyone believes if AC was straight, he still be private on his private life or show up at public events with his girlfriend/wife?
Posted by: Jack | Feb 27, 2008 2:11:53 PM
Huffingtonpost's post about AC360 cutting Lawrence King murder from their podcast.
"Cooper says that his show is going to be looking into the facts surrounding King's murder, and bring on board Dr. Charles Sophy, the medical director of the LA County Department of Children and Family Services. Wonderful! That sounds interesting. I immediately rushed to CNN's site and downloaded a podcast of last night's show. The clip included routine coverage of the impending elections, a section on Ralph Nader, North Korea, and a 4 year-old who sings the Beatles. But Lawrence King and the tragic, confusing circumstances surrounding his death were conspicuously absent.
Now, I realize that when one cuts an hour-long show down to 24 minutes and 27 seconds, some sacrifices must be made. As a former trainee correspondent at CNN's Indian Broadcasting Network (CNN IBN) in New Delhi, I am well aware of the effort that goes into making sure that every show is a balance of serious and feel-good stories. But honestly, excluding this murder from your podcast while giving ample room to a kid singing in his underwear (not to mention the never ending banter between Cooper and Erica Hill)? This, after having just blogged about how the story has been ignored by the press? That's a terrible lapse of judgment."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dipayan-gupta/cnn-cuts-gay-teen-killing_b_88595.html
Posted by: Alex | Feb 27, 2008 2:35:47 PM
"Also, if I were to ever run in or have dinner with AC, his reasons for not coming out would be the first question I asked."
I am also curious why Cory, who comes across here as a strong-willed and opinionated person, didn't confront Anderson at the dinner and ask him why he doesn't say publicly that he's gay. It's ultimately all on Anderson's shoulders, but it's possible that in a casual setting like that he may have given an explanation for his silence.
Posted by: Matt | Feb 27, 2008 2:50:41 PM
Matt, to answer your question, it was a long time ago, and it was in a situation with numerous other people. I highly doubt Mr Cooper even remembers the evening. It would have been HIGHLY inappropriate to question someone in a room filled with diners (as you stated, it's his personal issue). Further, I wasn't even aware of his popularity as much as I am today. I believe my opinion has changed as Mr Cooper has gained much more recognition since then, and especially covering a subject matter this close to home, which is why I commented. There is a time and place for questions such as that, and that time wasn't one of them.
Posted by: Cory | Feb 27, 2008 3:20:53 PM
"My apologies for my strong remarks, but I find it appalling that he has the nerve to report about tolerance and the killing of a gay student when he himself can't make the move in acknowledging his own sexuality. " -- Cory
Never apologize for these kinds of remarks, particularly about closeted gay men in high-profile jobs. These fuckers make me sick. One of my bosses is queer to the point of posting his mug & details in gay personals ads, but refuses to be openly gay with us -- even though most of us know he's family. He's exactly like the guy in Brain Candy who watches the gay porn but doesn't know he's one of us!
Posted by: Matt | Feb 27, 2008 11:38:34 PM
I must say that the comments here made me rethink my longstanding crush on Anderson . . . it's nice to be swayed by good Towleroad arguments. :-)
http://placeinsun.blogspot.com/2008/02/honeymoon-is-over-anderson.html
Posted by: Ernie | Feb 27, 2008 11:50:17 PM
Thanks for the reply Cory.
Well, my longstanding 'crush' on Anderson is still...standing. I'd like to see him come out one day, but I don't hold it against him now because he chooses not to; I think there are worse people out there who are doing more of a disservice to the gay community so I don't really mind being the lone Anderson supporter here.
Posted by: Matt | Feb 28, 2008 4:27:58 AM
Young teenagers are not looking to CNN for behavioral role models, most likely not the ones who are coming out and definitely not the ones who might shoot them. Gay kids are going to go online and find out about which celebrities are probably gay. AC will probably not be of much interest to them as an old news guy. If they do notice him, however, he is one of the few American media personalities everyone knows with real confidence to be gay and to live an openly gay life even if he doesn't discuss it. He is also looks happy, respected, healthy, hardworking, has managed to avoid major embarrassment or scandal (maybe because the press won't report on his sex life until he officially outs himself), and is excelling in a non-traditionally gay field. If you are a miserable gay kid thinking life will be shit because you're gay that could give you a boost of hope. Or maybe it won't do anything because you can't be bothered to pay attention to the old guy. He is available for them to observe if they want to, though, and for straights to notice. He is also in a position where he can focus the world's attention on Lawrence King's murder. Those things are significant regardless of whether some people here want more. Have you created a positive impression of what a gay man can be for more people in the world than he has?
CNN wouldn't have a clause in his contract that said specifically said that he couldn't come out because it would be unenforceable for multiple practical reasons. They would have a standard generally worded "morality clause" that would allow them to get rid of him if something seriously changed people's view of him in a way that was inconsistent with his job duties and/or the image of CNN. They could terminate him or squeeze him out until he left like Thomas Roberts. Leaving CNN either way would mean waiting years until he was allowed to work news again under the terms of CNN contracts.
Posted by: G | Feb 28, 2008 8:44:20 PM
"One of my media man-crushes, the awesome reporter Anderson Cooper, is another public figure who can't figure out whether he wants to publicly be out or in, despite the crushing amount of bandwidth consumed by folks picking the lock on his closet door with stories of his social life outside CNN's studios."
"all of this tip-toeing out of the closet, while it may be easier for the celebrities in question, only reinforces that there is something wrong/bad/embarrassing/private about being gay."
The full post is here:
http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=DA2C73A8EEB978203A105667F01CC0E2?diaryId=4637
Posted by: John In Manhattan | Feb 29, 2008 11:38:28 AM
I'm not trying to be an asshole, but honestly, nobody else finds this a little depressing and embarrassing? Look at this. All the outrage at this hate crime is being wasted on ripping Cooper a new asshole for not ticking off all the boxes on our coming out checklists and for once years ago being judged an unsatisfactory dining companion. What is this? A young kid has been shot dead for being gay. It will not substantially protect our children from other kids if Cooper comes out entirely and gets fired, or comes out and manages to continue doing his thing politely and neutrally telling news, or does a broadcast while Jeff Corwin fucks him.
Do we seriously think in Lawrence King's final moments he sent up a prayer that anger over his death among his own would launch a major initiative to push a 40 year old newscaster further along the journey to be an out public figure? Where is the self-motivation and constructive ideas? Where's the avowals to participate more in community action, work harder in the fight to ban hand guns, help develop services and resources for bullied and endangered gay youth? Where's the determination to push other news sources to also cover this story? People on TV are not gods, and it's no good expecting them to be perfect or waiting around for them to fix life. Anderson isn't everything I'd include in an ideal gay male celebrity. Neither are any of the other gay male celebrities really. However, I'm glad to have gay voices in the news whether they are ready to identify themselves fully or not since otherwise stories like these might be completely neglected.
Anderson's very polite and pleasant with even offensive guests and he won't talk to the press about being gay, but I don't think that makes him less of an asset than the famous guys who will talk about being gay and spend an unfortunate amount of time confirming for the straight public and role modelling for the kids all the negative gay stereotypes like being in bitchy cat fights, superficial, only genuinely concerned about gay causes which of course in their self-interest, drug prone, unsuited to tough or dangerous work, engaged in sex in public toilets, and all those good things. There aren't that many known gay celebrities and I'm not prepared to get overly judgemental on them if they offer us something and have some pluses.
Posted by: G | Mar 1, 2008 4:03:17 AM
Amen G.
Posted by: Matt | Mar 6, 2008 4:50:23 AM
Some of you fools are either terribly unsophisticated, prejudiced, or both. Anderson Cooper stated that he didn't want to reveal too much about himself because as a journalist, he wants to report the story, not be part of the story, or influence the story in any way. If he revealed he was gay, how could he be objective and impartial? Can't you understand that? TV reporters and hosts mustn't have too much of a connection to the news. For example, Andrea Mitchell. Uh, wait... she's married to Alan Greenspan. Okay, bad example, but okay, Chuck Scarborough. Just a sec... wasn't he a congressman? Give me a moment... Maria Shriver! Yes, Maria... no, that won't work. Okay, I've got it. Barbara Walters. Perfect example. Uh-oh, I forgot, she used to date Roy Cohn and was pals with the Reagans. But Armstrong Williams, now there's somebody completely neutral, after all-- I've just been handed a telegram: Armstrong Williams was a paid flack for the Bush2 administration. I'm sorry- what was the point I was trying to make about Anderson Cooper?
Posted by: ProfessorVP | Mar 26, 2008 7:52:35 PM
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