Gay cnn news anchor

And when they find the strength to identify openly as LGBTQ+, they provide comfort to millions of other viewers in their community.

Several journalists on television have come out in recent years to immense waves of support, leading the charge at major networks like ABC, NBC, and CNN.

This pride month, we're taking a look at some of the most prominent anchors on daytime and primetime TV who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or otherwise)  and have left a lasting impact with their work and presence.

Robin Roberts

A host of Good Morning America since 2005, Robin first came out as a lesbian in a 2013 Facebook post, where she first revealed she was in a relationship with partner Amber Laign.

Her coming out was a powerful moment, leading to ABC News and even Michelle Obama releasing statements of support at the time.

"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," he wrote.

Cooper has since welcomed a son, Wyatt Morgan Cooper, born April 27, 2020 via surrogate.

MORE: Robin Roberts apologizes to GMA viewers following challenging return to show

Speaking with People last year of her decision to come out in 2013, she said: "I am so encouraged today by so many LGBTQ+ people who are visible in my industry.

Somewhat ironically, when I came out, it was my industry who kept reporting, 'Gay!

.

That's your headline?'"

Gio Benitez

The newly announced anchor of ABC's Good Morning America Weekends, Gio became a part of the network in 2013, but didn't make his relationship status, or his sexuality, public until 2015.

It was then that he announced he was engaged to fitness influencer and fellow TV reporter for The Rachael Ray Show and Extra Tommy DiDario.

It's enabled me to love the people that I've loved and have the life that I've had. He co-parents with his former partner, nightclub owner Benjamin Maisani. The two split in 2018 after nine years of dating, though they remain good friends.

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Like this story? He took home two Telly Awards and earned multiple honors from the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. Blackwell studied broadcast journalism at Howard University and graduated with honors. He is an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ community.

In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders.

MORE: GMA's Sam Champion gets emotional about special time which 'went too fast'

On Dancing with the Stars last year, Sam revealed that his decision to come out strained his relationship with his father. Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

After graduating from Yale University in 1989, Cooper decided he didn't want to "waste any more time worrying about this" or "wishing I was some other way." 

He came out as gay to the public on July 2, 2012, allowing friend and writer Andrew Sullivan to publish an email from him, saying it'd become clear that remaining silent on the topic had given the false impression that he had something to hide.

He served as a producer for a Baltimore radio station, a co-producer for public television in Washington, D.C., and worked for Fox affiliates in California and Pennsylvania. The 62-year-old and Amber have been together for nearly 18 years, and even plan to tie the knot this year. So I'm very blessed."

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Rachel Maddow

Host of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC and a prominent political commentator, what differentiates Rachel from others on the list is her openness about her sexuality since the start of her career.

Having been outed when she was a college freshman at Stanford University, she began her career in broadcast journalism as one of the only prominent lesbians on TV.

Since 1999, the 56-year-old has been in a relationship with artist Susan Mikula and has since won several GLAAD Awards for her work.

READ: Heartstopper's Alice Oseman on asexuality, young fame and surviving social media

Rachel, 50, told Slate in 2011 about how little impact her sexuality has on her abilities as a journalist, adding: "I've never made [editorial decisions] as a straight person.

In May 2022 he shed tears on air outside the supermarket in Buffalo, New York, where 10 Black people were killed and three wounded in a racist massacre.

Blackwell came out as gay on CNN in 2013. He interned at WHUT-TV, the university’s public television station.

Blackwell started his journalism career as a writer for the Community Times, a Columbia, Maryland, newspaper.