Gay ABC News anchor out while talkg about ‘Star Trek’ actor Zach Quto on the air

Contents:

• GAY, BISEXUAL MEN UTAH N GIVE BLOOD UNR PANY’S LOOSENED RTRICTNS
• JAGUARS’ KEV MAXEN IS FIRST MALE ACH TO E OUT AS GAY US MEN’S PRO SPORTS
• KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH A US MEN’S PROFSNAL SPORTS LEAGUE TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY
• JAGS' MAXEN IS FIRST MALE AMERIN PRO SPORTS ACH TO E OUT AS GAY
• TOM HOLLAND’S GAY SEX SCENE 'THE CROWD ROOM' DEFEND BY FANS
• JAGUARS ASSISTANT KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH MAJOR MEN'S PRO SPORTS TO INTIFY AS GAY
• GAY
• GAY ABC NEWS ANCHOR OUT WHILE TALKG ABOUT ‘STAR TREK’ ACTOR ZACH QUTO ON THE AIR
• GAY NEWSMEN – A CLEARER {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY KARMAN KREGLOEMAY 13, 2007/7:07 PMBY KARMAN KREGLOEMAY 13, 2007 / 7:07 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"GAY NEWSMEN – A CLEARER PICTURE","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-05-13T23:07:47.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-05-13T23:07:47.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOURNALISM IS GROUND ZERO FOR TTH A EE SOCIETY. SO IF THE JOURNALIST IS GAY DO THIS OBLIGATN TO TTH CREATE A GREATER RPONSIBILY TO BE “OUT”? IN A CULTURE WHERE THE ACPLISHMENTS OF GAY PEOPLE OFTEN REMA VISIBLE, IS ANSWERG THE SIMPLE QUTN ON SEXUAL ORIENTATN PART OF A MMENT TO REVEAL THE WORLD AS IS – OR IS IRRELEVANT A PROFSN WHERE “YOU ARE NOT THE STORY”?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A TWO-PART SERI, EXPLOR THE REERS AND CHOIC OF GAY TELEVISN JOURNALISTS. FIRST, WE HIGHLIGHT THE WORK AND EXPERIENC OF NE OF THE MOST HIGH-PROFILE GAY ON-MERA NEWSMEN THE UNTRY – WH MORE JOURNALISTS FEATURED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON THE AE BLOG. PART II, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED ON ON MAY 21, VTIGAT THE ISSU SURROUNDG BEG OUT WH NEWS ANIZATNS AND PUBLIC, AND LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF THOSE CHOIC ON THE DIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY. THAT DISCSN CLUS ALL THE NEWSMEN AS WELL AS WORK NEWS EXECUTIV – BOTH STRAIGHT AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS AFTERELTON NDUCTED EXTENSIVE TERVIEWS ON AND OFF THE RERD FOR THIS SERI. HERE, WE SPOKE WH FIVE NATNAL NEWS RRPONNTS AND FOUR ANCHORS ABOUT THEIR WORK AND THEIR CHOICE TO BE OUT — SOME OF THE JOURNALISTS DISCSG THIS PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY HAVE REPORTED ON WASHGTON POLICS, NATURAL DISASTERS AND OM THE IRAQ WAR ZONE, MANY RISKG THEIR LIV TO BRG FACTS ABOUT OUR WORLD TO THE AMERIN PEOPLE. BY SPEAKG OPENLY ABOUT THEIR REERS, THE REPORTERS CREATE A FULLER PICTURE OF WHO GAY PEOPLE ARE, AND A CLEARER IMAGE OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MIGUEL MARQUEZ: IT'S A WEIRDLY TIMATE BS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG HIS MANY TRIPS TO IRAQ SCE JOG ABC OM CNN OVER TWO YEARS AGO, MARQUEZ HAS TERVIEWED AMERIN ARY OFFICERS, IRANIAN DIPLOMATS AND SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE. HE HAS ALSO REPORTED ON THE ATHS OF TOO MANY AMERIN SOLDIERS AND IRAQI CIZENS A PLACE THAT HE SAYS HAS GOTTEN MORE AND MORE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARQUEZ SAID MANY OF THE TENSE SUATNS THAT RRPONNTS REPORT OM — WAR ZON, HURRIN, CALIFORNIA WILDFIR — MAKE NEWS "A WEIRDLY TIMATE BS." IN SOME OF THOSE SUATNS, MARQUEZ BELIEV, BEG ANK WH LLEAGU ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATN N BE PART OF WHAT ALLOWS YOU THE FORT LEVEL YOU {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT MAK A BIG DIFFERENCE," SAID MARQUEZ. "YOU'RE TRAVELG WH PRODUCERS AND PEOPLE RS, AND YOU'VE BEEN WH THEM FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS, YOU ALL STK, AND YOU'RE LLG LOVED ON ON THE PHONE, TRYG TO WHISPER 'I LOVE YOU' AND HAVG VERY TIMATE NVERSATNS. … THE MORE FORTABLE YOU ARE PERSONALLY, I THK THE BETTER THE EXPERIENCE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND MARQUEZ'S EXPERIENCE IS THAT UNIVERSALLY WH THE NEWS AGENCI, PEOPLE ARE OPEN AND ACCEPTG. IT'S THE NEXT LEVEL — BEG OPEN WH OUTSI PRS AND THEREBY THE PUBLIC — THAT SOME OF HIS LLEAGU WON'T {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT ALSO DOWN TO A VERY PERSONAL CISN," SAID MARQUEZ OF THE CISN TO BE OUT. "IT'S HARD FOR ME TO JUDGE ANYONE ELSE." BUT HIS OWN CISN ON THE ISSUE DOWN TO THIS: "I'M A BS THAT'S ALL ABOUT TTH AND HONTY, AND TO SOME GREE I'M RPONSIBLE TO BE HONT AS WELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN YANG: WHY SHOULD I PASS AS BEG STRAIGHT? {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THIS, THE FIRST PROFILE WHERE HE MENTNS HIS SEXUALY, YANG SAID THAT TAKG ON THE VETED JOB OF JESALEM RRPONNT FOR ABC 2003 "WAS THE FIRST TIME I FELT LIKE AN ADULT." THIS SPE THE FACT YANG HAD REPORTED FOR YEARS OM THE WHE HOE AND CONGRS, AS WELL AS THE IRAQ WAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REGARDG THE JESALEM APPOTMENT, YANG ADMTED, "I WAS EXTREMELY FLATTERED BEE AT ABC NEWS, PETER JENNGS HAD VETO POWER OVER FOREIGN RRPONNTS. AND THIS WAS AN AREA THAT PETER RED EPLY ABOUT. AND ACTUALLY PETER GOT ON THE PHONE … AND SAID 'I'D REALLY LOVE FOR YOU TO DO THIS.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND BEG GAY MAY HAVE GIVEN YANG AN EDGE LANDG THE POST. "IT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHG THAT PETER SAID TO ME," YANG RELLED. "IT'S THAT HE THOUGHT THAT — AND LOOKG BACK, YOU N TAKE WHAT HE SAID A UPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS, WHETHER HE MEANT [ME] BEG ASIAN OR BEG GAY — BUT THAT HE THOUGHT THAT WHAT I WOULD BRG TO THAT REPORTG WAS AN UNRSTANDG OR AN SIGHT TO … PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGALIZED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YANG HAS FOUND THAT AMONG THE POLILLY POWERFUL WASHGTON, BEG GAY IS ALSO ACCEPTED, SPE PUBLIC RHETORIC THAT MIGHT SUGGT OTHERWISE. IN A FOLLOW-UP EMAIL TO , YANG RELLED A 1992 PHONE LL OM A NSERVATIVE REPUBLIN SENATOR AFTER A WASHGTONIAN MAGAZE PIECE ON YANG'S EMPLOYER AT THE TIME, THE WASHGTON POST, ALLUD TO HIS SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"JOHN, I SAW THAT THG ABOUT YOU THE MAGAZE," THE SENATOR TOLD YANG. "I JT WANT TO TELL YOU DON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO ME. YOU'RE STILL THE BT DAMNED REPORTER I'VE EVER ALT WH." YANG THANKED THE LEGISLATOR, WHO AFTER A PSE ASKED, "I HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHG WRONG, HAVE I?" YANG ASSURED HIM: "NO, SENATOR. YOU SAID JT THE RIGHT THG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHY IS YANG ONE OF THE FEW NATNAL TELEVISN JOURNALISTS CHOOSG TO BE NDID ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATN? HE NNECTS PART TO HIS EXPERIENCE OF BEG PERCEIVED AS A RACIAL MORY. "THERE ARE CERTA THGS ABOUT MYSELF THAT ARE IMMUTABLE, AND SOME OF THEM ARE OBV," YANG SAID. "I'M ASIAN. I MEAN, ANYONE WHO SE ME ON THE AIR OR HEARS MY LAST NAME KNOWS THAT. … AND A WAY, I FELT THAT I N'T PASS AS NOT BEG ASIAN, SO WHY SHOULD I PASS AS BEG STRAIGHT?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANUEL GALLEG: IT HASN'T BEEN ANY ISSUE AT ALL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“YOU ALWAYS THK ABOUT THAT. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE A PUBLIC PERSON, YOU'RE ON-AIR TALENT. I THK EVERYBODY'S NCERNED WH THEIR OWN IMAGE.” BUT GALLEG SAID AS HE BEME MORE NFINT AND SATISFIED AT HIS JOB, MET OTHER GAY PEOPLE AT CBS, AND FOUND THE ENVIRONMENT WAS AN ACCEPTG ONE, “I REALIZED THAT I HAD NOTHG TO WORRY ABOUT. AND HASN'T BEEN ANY ISSUE AT ALL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GALLEG HAS HAD AN CREDIBLY DIVERSE REPORTG REER, TERVIEWG PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS AND ACTOR AND ACTIVIST LEONARDO DICAPR THE WEEK BEFORE THIS TERVIEW. HE HAS ALSO REPORTED OM THE 1999 COLUMBE SCHOOL SHOOTG, AND THE SCENE OF TWO OF THE MOST VASTATG NATURAL DISASTERS RECENT US HISTORY: THE 1989 SAN FRANCIS EARTHQUAKE AND NEW ORLEANS DURG HURRINE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GALLEG, WHO HAS MEXIN ANCTRY, IS GREETED ON THE STREET BY ENTHIASTIC LATO YOUTH WH “HEY BROWN MAN! IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ON TELEVISN!” AND GALLEG THKS BEG VISIBLE AS A SUCCSFUL GAY MAN IS IMPORTANT A SIAR WAY. BUT ULTIMATELY, GALLEG SAID HE CHOSE TO ANSWER THE QUTN ON SEXUAL ORIENTATN HERE BEE AS A JOURNALIST HE HIMSELF PENDS ON DIFFICULT ANSWERS; SOMETIM OM PEOPLE THE MOST TIMATE AND TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANC. “HOW HYPOCRIL IS FOR A JOURNALIST TO NOT WANT TO TALK, TO NOT GIVE AN TERVIEW?”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JEFEY KOFMAN: I N BE HONT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE GALLEG, KOFMAN LKS HIS CISN TO BE OUT WH HIS MISSN AS JOURNALIST. "I DO BELIEVE THAT WE SPEND A LOT OF OUR TIME ASKG PEOPLE TO BE HONT AND STRAIGHTFORWARD WH . … WHILE I DON'T THK A REPORTER'S PUBLIC LIFE SHOULD BE THE CENTER OF HIS OR HER WORK, I THK AT SOME POT YOU N'T DODGE THE REALY OF YOUR LIFE AND PRETEND YOU'RE BEG HONT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2003, KOFMAN'S HONTY CREATED SOMETHG OF A MOR NATNAL CINT THE U.S. AFTER HIS WORLD NEWS TONIGHT REPORT OM IRAQ ON TROOP MORALE — WHICH CLUD ONE SOLDIER LLG FOR THE RIGNATN OF DONALD RUMSFELD — MATT DDGE BRIEFLY PRTED THE HEADLE, "ABC NEWS REPORTER WHO FILED TROOPS COMPLAT STORY — OPENLY GAY CANADIAN," LKED TO AN TERVIEW KOFMAN DID WH NATNAL GAY MAGAZE THE ADVOTE. DDGE LATER CLAIMED THE STORY WAS SLIPPED TO HIM BY AN OVEREAGER WHE HOE STAFFER, PRUMABLY A MISGUID ATTEMPT TO DISCRED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT KOFMAN N HANDLE A TSLE WH THE WHE HOE. HIS RUME READS LIKE A FN OF MACHISMO JOURNALISM. HE HAS REPORTED OM COLOMBIAN JUNGL, DONE FOUR TOURS IRAQ AND VERED THE AFGHAN WAR OM AN AIRCRAFT RRIER. IN HAI , KOFMAN WAS CHASED BY MOBS AND THREATENED AT GUNPOT BY GUERILLAS, AND WAS THE FIRST JOURNALIST TO REPORT OM THE SCENE OF THE 2004 OVERTHROW OF THEN-PRINT JEAN-BERTRAND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KOFMAN, WHO SPENT HIS LAST VATN TREKKG THE ANS WH HIS PARTNER, SAID HIS "OUTSI THE BOX" REER ALIGNS WELL WH HOW HE WANTS TO LIVE HIS LIFE. BUT 25 YEARS AGO HE WASN'T SURE HE'D BE HIS DREAM JOB TODAY AS A WORLD-TRAVELG WORK RRPONNT. "I THK THAT BEG GAY, MY OWN MD, MA ME WONR WHETHER WAS POSSIBLE," HE SAID. BUT NOW, "WHEN I LOOK BACK ON THE CISN I MA ABOUT BEG OPEN, I'M VERY HAPPY. I DON'T HAVE TO MAKE UP STORI; I N BE HONT. AND THAT'S THE WAY I WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE. THAT'S THE WAY I WANT TO DO MY WORK."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JASON BELLI: THAT'S NOT HONT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE WERE G TECHNOLOGY THAT WAS STILL UNPROVEN," BELLI RELLED. THAT CREATED SOME SURREAL MOMENTS BROADSTG ON CNN. "I REMEMBER BEG THE SAND DUN WHEN THERE WAS A SMALL BATTLE GOG ON. AND WE GOT OUR SATELLE UP, AND I WAS BROADSTG AND THKG TO MYSELF, THIS IS REALLY WEIRD. WE'RE GOG LIVE OM THE MIDDLE OF THE SERT, AND THERE'S NOTHG AROUND FOR HUNDREDS OF ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BELLI CREATED HIS REER NEWS OUT OF SHEER DARG. IN 1999, WHEN THE KOSOVO WAR BROKE OUT AND THE U.S. BOMBG MPAIGN BEGAN, BELLI QU HIS JOB AND TRAVELED TO THE WAR ZONE ON HIS OWN, HOPG TO SEND BACK STORI ON SPEC THAT HE SHOT ON HIS DIGAL MERA AND EDED ON A LAPTOP. WHILE THERE, HE GOT TO THE SYSTEM AT CNN AND MA HIMSELF DISPENSABLE, QUICKLY WORKG HIS WAY UP TO CNN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BELLI'S EARLY CISN TO BE OUT REFLECTS A SIAR BOLDNS. WHILE OTHER ON-MERA PEOPLE STILL HOLD ONTO A NTROLLG ATTU ABOUT THEIR IMAGE, FOR BELLI THE CHOICE WAS CLEAR-CUT: "SKIRTG THAT ISSUE, SAYG 'S NOBODY'S BS, I THK THAT'S DISGENUO. BEE IF PEOPLE ARE TERTED YOU OUTSI OF THE PARAMETERS OF YOUR JOB SELF, AND YOU IGNORE [BEG GAY], THEN YOU'RE IGNORG AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOURSELF. AND THAT'S NOT HONT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RANDY PRICE: A LTLE B OF LLN. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PRICE EXPERIENCED THAT LLN FIRSTHAND THE '80S, WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG ANCHOR WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN LIVG WH HIS PARTNER FOR ALMOST A . IN NEWSPAPER PROFIL OF HIMSELF OM THAT TIME, REARS ULD SEE HIM AT HOME WH HIS DOG, "ALL THE THGS ABOUT MY LIFE. AND NEVER ONE — NOT ONE MENTN — OF DO I LIVE WH ANYBODY, WHAT'S THE STORY OF MY PERSONAL SUATN. … THEY DIDN'T ASK ANY OF THOSE QUTNS BEE THEY KNEW THE ANSWERS." AND PRICE NFSED, "I PROBABLY DIDN'T PH THE POT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW, 10 YEARS SCE PRICE BEGAN ANSWERG THOSE QUTNS, HE IS AMED THAT SOME STILL SEE THOSE ANSWERS AS IRRELEVANT. "PEOPLE ASK THAT QUTN," PRICE SAID. "LIKE, 'WELL, YOU KNOW, IS REALLY NECSARY FOR YOU TO DISCS YOUR SEXUAL LIFE WH EVERYBODY?' AND I GO, 'WELL, YOU KNOW, I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT I WAS DISCSG MY SEX LIFE. … I SAID I'M A GAY PERSON, I LIVE WH ANOTHER GUY, AND I HAVE A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP. IF I DON'T TELL YOU THAT, THEN THERE'S REALLY NO FOUNDATN FOR HAVG AN EXCHANGE ABOUT WHO WE ALL ARE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HANK PLANTE: BEG GAY HAS MA ME A BETTER REPORTER. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COVERG AIDS AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN HOTON THE EARLY '80S, THE HOSTILE FEEDBACK PLANTE RECEIVED WASN'T SOLELY OM VIEWERS. "THE GENERAL MANGER AT THE STATN AT THE TIME DIDN'T LIKE OUR VERAGE, DIDN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT I WAS GAY," HE RELLED. "AND I IGNORED HIM." COVERG AIDS SAN FRANCIS SOON AFTERWARD, PLANTE TOOK EVEN MORE FIRE — SOME OF OM UNLIKELY SOURC. "PEOPLE THE GAY MUNY SAID, 'YOU'RE MAKG LOOK BAD … THEY'LL THK WE'RE ALL AIDS RRIERS.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PLANTE WON TWO EMMYS AND A PEABODY FOR HIS SAN FRANCIS AIDS VERAGE, AND 2005 WAS PRENTED WH A GLAAD PNEER AWARD. PLANTE SE HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATN AS BOTH IRRELEVANT TO HIS JOB AND SOMETHG THAT RMS . "BEG GAY HAS MA ME A BETTER REPORTER, JT AS 'S MA ME A BETTER PERSON," HE SAID. "I DON'T JT SEE THE OUTSI. I KNOW THERE IS A WHOLE LIFE THERE THAT I NEED TO BE OPEN TO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT SPE HIS OWN GROUNDBREAKG CHOIC, PLANTE PARTS WH SOME OF THE REPORTERS TERVIEWED HERE, NOT SEEG A NNECTN BETWEEN HIS MISSN AS JOURNALIST AND THE CHOICE TO BE OUT. HOWEVER, HE HAS FOUND HIS OWN OPENNS EARNS HIM RPECT TERTG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'LL TELL YOU WHERE HELPS ME, THIS TRANSPARENCY," EXPLAED PLANTE, REVEALG THAT FOR A BIG TERVIEW — SUCH AS CALIFORNIA ERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER OR A U.S. SENATOR — HE ROUTELY OUT TO HIS SUBJECT BEFORE THE TERVIEW BEGS. "I JT KD OF SLIP . 'OH, YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKG TO MY DOMTIC PARTNER LAST NIGHT, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.' … AND YOU KNOW WHAT I FD IS? IT RELAX THEM. IT CREAT A VERY HONT SPACE, AND THEY'RE MORE OPEN TO ME. … I N'T EXPLA . SOMETHG MAGIL HAPPENS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG STEVENS: I JT NEVER LET BE THAT BIG OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEVENS THKS THE POSIVE REACTN HE HAS RECEIVED AS AN OUT ANCHOR PART OM HIS OWN ATTU. "IF 'S THIS BIG HAND-WRGG, SORT OF TORTURED CISN, I THK PEOPLE FEED OFF YOUR ENERGY," HE SAID. "I JT NEVER LET BE THAT BIG OF A AL." BUT STEVENS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE'S A LOT OF ANXIETY OUT THERE: "I HAVE IENDS WH THE DTRY WHO, REALLY, THERE'S THIS ANGUISH, THIS FEAR OF WHAT HAPPENS" IF THEY E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RANDOL WHE: I ULD JT FEEL MY BLOOD N LD. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE WORLD DIDN'T VE . AND SLOWLY WHE VENTURED OUT MORE, ALLOWG HIMSELF TO BE REGNIZED GAY BARS MILWKEE, THEN SI MADISON. EVENTUALLY WHE WAS OUT TO HIS EMPLOYERS, -WORKERS AND HIS DIENCE, SUALLY MENTNG IENDS AND EVENTS DURG MORNG-SHOW CHAT THAT INTIFIED HIM AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHE SAID HE EXPERIENCED NO NEGATIVE REACTN. BEG AN "OUT NEWSSTER," HE SAID, "HAS BEEN 100 PERCENT POSIVE." NOW AN ANCHOR ON THE MORNG SHOW AND THE NOON NEWSST FOR CBS AFFILIATE KCOY SANTA BARBARA, CALIF., WHE NNECTS HIS CHOICE TO BE OUT TO SOMETHG HE HEARD OPENLY GAY WISNS REPRENTATIVE TAMMY BALDW SAY: "IF YOU WANT TO LIVE A WORLD WHERE YOU N HOLD YOUR BOYIEND'S HAND WALKG DOWN THE STREET, THEN HOLD YOUR BOYIEND'S HAND WALKG DOWN THE STREET."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHE SAID: "I THK THAT'S SUCH A POWERFUL STATEMENT. BEE YOU HAVE TO DO , FOR TO EVER BE ACCEPTED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} NTU PROFILG THE OUT JOURNALISTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON THE BLOG, HIGHLIGHTG FORMER CNN RRPONNT THOMAS ROBERTS ON TUDAY, REGNAL NEWS NETWORK ANCHOR PL MUELLER ON WEDNDAY, AND MORE OM MIGUEL MARQUEZ IRAQ ON THURSDAY. PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE, A LIVELY DISCSN WH THE JOURNALISTS AND WORK NEWS EXECUTIV, WILL BE PUBLISHED ON MAY 21. IT CLUS A G-OUT TERVIEW WH ONE OF THOSE EXECUTIV. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• ‘WE’RE COMG FOR YOUR CHILDREN’: SAN FRANCIS GAY MEN’S CHOIR SGS IN VIRAL VIO
• THE 10 GAYEST STAT IN AMERI FOR 2020

GAY, BISEXUAL MEN UTAH N GIVE BLOOD UNR PANY’S LOOSENED RTRICTNS

Lbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgenr and Queer televisn newssters have a proment profile many untri around the world. Amerin Charl Perez of ABC News is one to particularly note - he published his book 'Confsns of a Gay News Anchorman' (2011) after his oral of beg fired om a posn Florida when he was intified as beg gay. For example, France, there is L'associatn s journalist LGBT, and Ameri there is the Natnal Lbian & Gay Journalists Associatn.

For the first time four s, gay and bisexual men will be allowed to donate blood Utah.

Durg a prs nference Wednday afternoon, ARUP Blood Servic ma the announcement, makg the first donor center the state to accept donatns om the gay muny. “The are excg chang to the guil that have historilly impacted gay and bisexual men for four s.

JAGUARS’ KEV MAXEN IS FIRST MALE ACH TO E OUT AS GAY US MEN’S PRO SPORTS

Jacksonville Jaguars associate strength ach Kev Maxen is believed to be the first openly gay male ach major North Amerin men's sports after g out publicly an terview wh Outsports. ”Maxen is believed to be the first openly gay male ach the NFL and all of major Amerin men's pro sports, acrdg to Outsports.

" San Francis 49ers assistant Katie Sowers, a pneer among female ach the NFL, me out as the the league's first openly gay ach 2017, acrdg to Outsports.

He add that he reached out last year for advice on g out om former Las Vegas Rairs lebacker Carl Nassib, who beme the first active openly gay player NFL history 2021. Kev Maxen has bee the first male ach a US men’s profsnal sports league to e out as gay.

KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH A US MEN’S PROFSNAL SPORTS LEAGUE TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY

Per Outsports, as of September 2022, there have only ever been 16 players NFL history to publicly e out as gay or bisexual. Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player league history to announce that he is gay 2021.

JAGS' MAXEN IS FIRST MALE AMERIN PRO SPORTS ACH TO E OUT AS GAY

Per Outsports, Maxen is the “first publicly out male ach a major Amerin men’s pro sports league, ” wh WNBA ach Curt Miller, who publicly me out to the media as gay 2015, also a publicly out male ach an Amerin profsnal sports league. -- Jaguars assistant strength and ndng ach Kev Maxen has bee the first male ach major Amerin men's profsnal sports to publicly e out as gay, tellg he ma the cisn bee he didn't want to hi who he is any longer and to possibly spire others siar 's a cisn and move that drew praise and support om owner Shad Khan, who was a vol and emphatic supporter of a cy ordance that expand protectns on the grounds of sexual orientatn, genr inty and genr exprsn. Outsi lebacker Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player to e out as gay and to play a game Associated Prs ntributed to this report.

Tom HollandFans of Brish actor Tom Holland have e to his fense after some social media ers were seemgly upset that the latt episo of his Apple TV+ seri The Crowd Room featured gay the scene, Holland’s character go to a club wh heavy black eyeler and all black. ”A lot of other ers, however, seemed very nfed over the backlash, pecially sce Spir-Man actors Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield have also played gay person wrote, “Watchg agile cishet men have breakdowns over the reason Tom Holland is trendg is sweet we to me.

TOM HOLLAND’S GAY SEX SCENE 'THE CROWD ROOM' DEFEND BY FANS

”“The fact that a sgle scene on an Apple Pl show featurg Tom Holland has brought out so much homophobia om the stupist people is... It was like a se study for a psychologists nventn wh a bizarre mix of both homophobia and homoeroticism. But what I fd most tertg is the differg reactns to the overall theme of DeSantis’ gay-obssed mpaign.

” But he said the csant “gay bashg” which DeSantis engag “is morally tolerable as well as polilly ept.

JAGUARS ASSISTANT KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH MAJOR MEN'S PRO SPORTS TO INTIFY AS GAY

Photo: Ricrdo SaviSource: Getty ImagAyman was born on April 18, 1979, Cairo, Egypt. Frank BniColumnist, The New York Tim@FrankBniFormerly the chief rtrant cric for The New York Tim, Bni ma history 2011 by beg the Grey Lady's first out gay lumnist.

The Emerson College assistant profsor is also a producer of the upg film Michael, based on his Tim Magaze piece about his "ex-gay" iend.

Kate FaganWrer, ESPN@KateFagan3ESPN ntributor and lumnist Kate Fagan wr about basketball (and genr and sexism and homophobia) om a place of knowledge and ep, personal appreciatn. Maque monkeys equently have gay sexRearchers have found that 72 percent of male maqu engaged same-sex mountg.

GAY

"Kloeffler add: "As a journalist, I don't want to be the story, but as a gay man I don't want to stand silent if I n offer some spiratn or enuragement to kids that might be stgglg wh who they are. So if the journalist is gay do this obligatn to tth create a greater rponsibily to be “out”? In a culture where the acplishments of gay people often rema visible, is answerg the simple qutn on sexual orientatn part of a mment to reveal the world as is – or is irrelevant a profsn where “you are not the story”?

In a two-part seri, explor the reers and choic of gay televisn journalists. First, we highlight the work and experienc of ne of the most high-profile gay on-mera newsmen the untry – wh more journalists featured throughout the week on the AE blog.

GAY ABC NEWS ANCHOR OUT WHILE TALKG ABOUT ‘STAR TREK’ ACTOR ZACH QUTO ON THE AIR

By speakg openly about their reers, the reporters create a fuller picture of who gay people are, and a clearer image of the Marquez: It's a weirdly timate bs.

'"And beg gay may have given Yang an edge landg the post.

GAY NEWSMEN – A CLEARER {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY KARMAN KREGLOEMAY 13, 2007/7:07 PMBY KARMAN KREGLOEMAY 13, 2007 / 7:07 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"GAY NEWSMEN – A CLEARER PICTURE","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-05-13T23:07:47.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-05-13T23:07:47.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOURNALISM IS GROUND ZERO FOR TTH A EE SOCIETY. SO IF THE JOURNALIST IS GAY DO THIS OBLIGATN TO TTH CREATE A GREATER RPONSIBILY TO BE “OUT”? IN A CULTURE WHERE THE ACPLISHMENTS OF GAY PEOPLE OFTEN REMA VISIBLE, IS ANSWERG THE SIMPLE QUTN ON SEXUAL ORIENTATN PART OF A MMENT TO REVEAL THE WORLD AS IS – OR IS IRRELEVANT A PROFSN WHERE “YOU ARE NOT THE STORY”?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A TWO-PART SERI, EXPLOR THE REERS AND CHOIC OF GAY TELEVISN JOURNALISTS. FIRST, WE HIGHLIGHT THE WORK AND EXPERIENC OF NE OF THE MOST HIGH-PROFILE GAY ON-MERA NEWSMEN THE UNTRY – WH MORE JOURNALISTS FEATURED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON THE AE BLOG. PART II, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED ON ON MAY 21, VTIGAT THE ISSU SURROUNDG BEG OUT WH NEWS ANIZATNS AND PUBLIC, AND LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF THOSE CHOIC ON THE DIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY. THAT DISCSN CLUS ALL THE NEWSMEN AS WELL AS WORK NEWS EXECUTIV – BOTH STRAIGHT AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS AFTERELTON NDUCTED EXTENSIVE TERVIEWS ON AND OFF THE RERD FOR THIS SERI. HERE, WE SPOKE WH FIVE NATNAL NEWS RRPONNTS AND FOUR ANCHORS ABOUT THEIR WORK AND THEIR CHOICE TO BE OUT — SOME OF THE JOURNALISTS DISCSG THIS PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY HAVE REPORTED ON WASHGTON POLICS, NATURAL DISASTERS AND OM THE IRAQ WAR ZONE, MANY RISKG THEIR LIV TO BRG FACTS ABOUT OUR WORLD TO THE AMERIN PEOPLE. BY SPEAKG OPENLY ABOUT THEIR REERS, THE REPORTERS CREATE A FULLER PICTURE OF WHO GAY PEOPLE ARE, AND A CLEARER IMAGE OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MIGUEL MARQUEZ: IT'S A WEIRDLY TIMATE BS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG HIS MANY TRIPS TO IRAQ SCE JOG ABC OM CNN OVER TWO YEARS AGO, MARQUEZ HAS TERVIEWED AMERIN ARY OFFICERS, IRANIAN DIPLOMATS AND SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE. HE HAS ALSO REPORTED ON THE ATHS OF TOO MANY AMERIN SOLDIERS AND IRAQI CIZENS A PLACE THAT HE SAYS HAS GOTTEN MORE AND MORE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARQUEZ SAID MANY OF THE TENSE SUATNS THAT RRPONNTS REPORT OM — WAR ZON, HURRIN, CALIFORNIA WILDFIR — MAKE NEWS "A WEIRDLY TIMATE BS." IN SOME OF THOSE SUATNS, MARQUEZ BELIEV, BEG ANK WH LLEAGU ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATN N BE PART OF WHAT ALLOWS YOU THE FORT LEVEL YOU {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT MAK A BIG DIFFERENCE," SAID MARQUEZ. "YOU'RE TRAVELG WH PRODUCERS AND PEOPLE RS, AND YOU'VE BEEN WH THEM FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS, YOU ALL STK, AND YOU'RE LLG LOVED ON ON THE PHONE, TRYG TO WHISPER 'I LOVE YOU' AND HAVG VERY TIMATE NVERSATNS. … THE MORE FORTABLE YOU ARE PERSONALLY, I THK THE BETTER THE EXPERIENCE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND MARQUEZ'S EXPERIENCE IS THAT UNIVERSALLY WH THE NEWS AGENCI, PEOPLE ARE OPEN AND ACCEPTG. IT'S THE NEXT LEVEL — BEG OPEN WH OUTSI PRS AND THEREBY THE PUBLIC — THAT SOME OF HIS LLEAGU WON'T {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT ALSO DOWN TO A VERY PERSONAL CISN," SAID MARQUEZ OF THE CISN TO BE OUT. "IT'S HARD FOR ME TO JUDGE ANYONE ELSE." BUT HIS OWN CISN ON THE ISSUE DOWN TO THIS: "I'M A BS THAT'S ALL ABOUT TTH AND HONTY, AND TO SOME GREE I'M RPONSIBLE TO BE HONT AS WELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOHN YANG: WHY SHOULD I PASS AS BEG STRAIGHT? {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THIS, THE FIRST PROFILE WHERE HE MENTNS HIS SEXUALY, YANG SAID THAT TAKG ON THE VETED JOB OF JESALEM RRPONNT FOR ABC 2003 "WAS THE FIRST TIME I FELT LIKE AN ADULT." THIS SPE THE FACT YANG HAD REPORTED FOR YEARS OM THE WHE HOE AND CONGRS, AS WELL AS THE IRAQ WAR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REGARDG THE JESALEM APPOTMENT, YANG ADMTED, "I WAS EXTREMELY FLATTERED BEE AT ABC NEWS, PETER JENNGS HAD VETO POWER OVER FOREIGN RRPONNTS. AND THIS WAS AN AREA THAT PETER RED EPLY ABOUT. AND ACTUALLY PETER GOT ON THE PHONE … AND SAID 'I'D REALLY LOVE FOR YOU TO DO THIS.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND BEG GAY MAY HAVE GIVEN YANG AN EDGE LANDG THE POST. "IT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHG THAT PETER SAID TO ME," YANG RELLED. "IT'S THAT HE THOUGHT THAT — AND LOOKG BACK, YOU N TAKE WHAT HE SAID A UPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS, WHETHER HE MEANT [ME] BEG ASIAN OR BEG GAY — BUT THAT HE THOUGHT THAT WHAT I WOULD BRG TO THAT REPORTG WAS AN UNRSTANDG OR AN SIGHT TO … PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGALIZED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YANG HAS FOUND THAT AMONG THE POLILLY POWERFUL WASHGTON, BEG GAY IS ALSO ACCEPTED, SPE PUBLIC RHETORIC THAT MIGHT SUGGT OTHERWISE. IN A FOLLOW-UP EMAIL TO , YANG RELLED A 1992 PHONE LL OM A NSERVATIVE REPUBLIN SENATOR AFTER A WASHGTONIAN MAGAZE PIECE ON YANG'S EMPLOYER AT THE TIME, THE WASHGTON POST, ALLUD TO HIS SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"JOHN, I SAW THAT THG ABOUT YOU THE MAGAZE," THE SENATOR TOLD YANG. "I JT WANT TO TELL YOU DON'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO ME. YOU'RE STILL THE BT DAMNED REPORTER I'VE EVER ALT WH." YANG THANKED THE LEGISLATOR, WHO AFTER A PSE ASKED, "I HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHG WRONG, HAVE I?" YANG ASSURED HIM: "NO, SENATOR. YOU SAID JT THE RIGHT THG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHY IS YANG ONE OF THE FEW NATNAL TELEVISN JOURNALISTS CHOOSG TO BE NDID ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATN? HE NNECTS PART TO HIS EXPERIENCE OF BEG PERCEIVED AS A RACIAL MORY. "THERE ARE CERTA THGS ABOUT MYSELF THAT ARE IMMUTABLE, AND SOME OF THEM ARE OBV," YANG SAID. "I'M ASIAN. I MEAN, ANYONE WHO SE ME ON THE AIR OR HEARS MY LAST NAME KNOWS THAT. … AND A WAY, I FELT THAT I N'T PASS AS NOT BEG ASIAN, SO WHY SHOULD I PASS AS BEG STRAIGHT?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MANUEL GALLEG: IT HASN'T BEEN ANY ISSUE AT ALL. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“YOU ALWAYS THK ABOUT THAT. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE A PUBLIC PERSON, YOU'RE ON-AIR TALENT. I THK EVERYBODY'S NCERNED WH THEIR OWN IMAGE.” BUT GALLEG SAID AS HE BEME MORE NFINT AND SATISFIED AT HIS JOB, MET OTHER GAY PEOPLE AT CBS, AND FOUND THE ENVIRONMENT WAS AN ACCEPTG ONE, “I REALIZED THAT I HAD NOTHG TO WORRY ABOUT. AND HASN'T BEEN ANY ISSUE AT ALL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GALLEG HAS HAD AN CREDIBLY DIVERSE REPORTG REER, TERVIEWG PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS AND ACTOR AND ACTIVIST LEONARDO DICAPR THE WEEK BEFORE THIS TERVIEW. HE HAS ALSO REPORTED OM THE 1999 COLUMBE SCHOOL SHOOTG, AND THE SCENE OF TWO OF THE MOST VASTATG NATURAL DISASTERS RECENT US HISTORY: THE 1989 SAN FRANCIS EARTHQUAKE AND NEW ORLEANS DURG HURRINE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GALLEG, WHO HAS MEXIN ANCTRY, IS GREETED ON THE STREET BY ENTHIASTIC LATO YOUTH WH “HEY BROWN MAN! IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ON TELEVISN!” AND GALLEG THKS BEG VISIBLE AS A SUCCSFUL GAY MAN IS IMPORTANT A SIAR WAY. BUT ULTIMATELY, GALLEG SAID HE CHOSE TO ANSWER THE QUTN ON SEXUAL ORIENTATN HERE BEE AS A JOURNALIST HE HIMSELF PENDS ON DIFFICULT ANSWERS; SOMETIM OM PEOPLE THE MOST TIMATE AND TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANC. “HOW HYPOCRIL IS FOR A JOURNALIST TO NOT WANT TO TALK, TO NOT GIVE AN TERVIEW?”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JEFEY KOFMAN: I N BE HONT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LIKE GALLEG, KOFMAN LKS HIS CISN TO BE OUT WH HIS MISSN AS JOURNALIST. "I DO BELIEVE THAT WE SPEND A LOT OF OUR TIME ASKG PEOPLE TO BE HONT AND STRAIGHTFORWARD WH . … WHILE I DON'T THK A REPORTER'S PUBLIC LIFE SHOULD BE THE CENTER OF HIS OR HER WORK, I THK AT SOME POT YOU N'T DODGE THE REALY OF YOUR LIFE AND PRETEND YOU'RE BEG HONT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2003, KOFMAN'S HONTY CREATED SOMETHG OF A MOR NATNAL CINT THE U.S. AFTER HIS WORLD NEWS TONIGHT REPORT OM IRAQ ON TROOP MORALE — WHICH CLUD ONE SOLDIER LLG FOR THE RIGNATN OF DONALD RUMSFELD — MATT DDGE BRIEFLY PRTED THE HEADLE, "ABC NEWS REPORTER WHO FILED TROOPS COMPLAT STORY — OPENLY GAY CANADIAN," LKED TO AN TERVIEW KOFMAN DID WH NATNAL GAY MAGAZE THE ADVOTE. DDGE LATER CLAIMED THE STORY WAS SLIPPED TO HIM BY AN OVEREAGER WHE HOE STAFFER, PRUMABLY A MISGUID ATTEMPT TO DISCRED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT KOFMAN N HANDLE A TSLE WH THE WHE HOE. HIS RUME READS LIKE A FN OF MACHISMO JOURNALISM. HE HAS REPORTED OM COLOMBIAN JUNGL, DONE FOUR TOURS IRAQ AND VERED THE AFGHAN WAR OM AN AIRCRAFT RRIER. IN HAI , KOFMAN WAS CHASED BY MOBS AND THREATENED AT GUNPOT BY GUERILLAS, AND WAS THE FIRST JOURNALIST TO REPORT OM THE SCENE OF THE 2004 OVERTHROW OF THEN-PRINT JEAN-BERTRAND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KOFMAN, WHO SPENT HIS LAST VATN TREKKG THE ANS WH HIS PARTNER, SAID HIS "OUTSI THE BOX" REER ALIGNS WELL WH HOW HE WANTS TO LIVE HIS LIFE. BUT 25 YEARS AGO HE WASN'T SURE HE'D BE HIS DREAM JOB TODAY AS A WORLD-TRAVELG WORK RRPONNT. "I THK THAT BEG GAY, MY OWN MD, MA ME WONR WHETHER WAS POSSIBLE," HE SAID. BUT NOW, "WHEN I LOOK BACK ON THE CISN I MA ABOUT BEG OPEN, I'M VERY HAPPY. I DON'T HAVE TO MAKE UP STORI; I N BE HONT. AND THAT'S THE WAY I WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE. THAT'S THE WAY I WANT TO DO MY WORK."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JASON BELLI: THAT'S NOT HONT. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WE WERE G TECHNOLOGY THAT WAS STILL UNPROVEN," BELLI RELLED. THAT CREATED SOME SURREAL MOMENTS BROADSTG ON CNN. "I REMEMBER BEG THE SAND DUN WHEN THERE WAS A SMALL BATTLE GOG ON. AND WE GOT OUR SATELLE UP, AND I WAS BROADSTG AND THKG TO MYSELF, THIS IS REALLY WEIRD. WE'RE GOG LIVE OM THE MIDDLE OF THE SERT, AND THERE'S NOTHG AROUND FOR HUNDREDS OF ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BELLI CREATED HIS REER NEWS OUT OF SHEER DARG. IN 1999, WHEN THE KOSOVO WAR BROKE OUT AND THE U.S. BOMBG MPAIGN BEGAN, BELLI QU HIS JOB AND TRAVELED TO THE WAR ZONE ON HIS OWN, HOPG TO SEND BACK STORI ON SPEC THAT HE SHOT ON HIS DIGAL MERA AND EDED ON A LAPTOP. WHILE THERE, HE GOT TO THE SYSTEM AT CNN AND MA HIMSELF DISPENSABLE, QUICKLY WORKG HIS WAY UP TO CNN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BELLI'S EARLY CISN TO BE OUT REFLECTS A SIAR BOLDNS. WHILE OTHER ON-MERA PEOPLE STILL HOLD ONTO A NTROLLG ATTU ABOUT THEIR IMAGE, FOR BELLI THE CHOICE WAS CLEAR-CUT: "SKIRTG THAT ISSUE, SAYG 'S NOBODY'S BS, I THK THAT'S DISGENUO. BEE IF PEOPLE ARE TERTED YOU OUTSI OF THE PARAMETERS OF YOUR JOB SELF, AND YOU IGNORE [BEG GAY], THEN YOU'RE IGNORG AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOURSELF. AND THAT'S NOT HONT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RANDY PRICE: A LTLE B OF LLN. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PRICE EXPERIENCED THAT LLN FIRSTHAND THE '80S, WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG ANCHOR WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN LIVG WH HIS PARTNER FOR ALMOST A . IN NEWSPAPER PROFIL OF HIMSELF OM THAT TIME, REARS ULD SEE HIM AT HOME WH HIS DOG, "ALL THE THGS ABOUT MY LIFE. AND NEVER ONE — NOT ONE MENTN — OF DO I LIVE WH ANYBODY, WHAT'S THE STORY OF MY PERSONAL SUATN. … THEY DIDN'T ASK ANY OF THOSE QUTNS BEE THEY KNEW THE ANSWERS." AND PRICE NFSED, "I PROBABLY DIDN'T PH THE POT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW, 10 YEARS SCE PRICE BEGAN ANSWERG THOSE QUTNS, HE IS AMED THAT SOME STILL SEE THOSE ANSWERS AS IRRELEVANT. "PEOPLE ASK THAT QUTN," PRICE SAID. "LIKE, 'WELL, YOU KNOW, IS REALLY NECSARY FOR YOU TO DISCS YOUR SEXUAL LIFE WH EVERYBODY?' AND I GO, 'WELL, YOU KNOW, I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT I WAS DISCSG MY SEX LIFE. … I SAID I'M A GAY PERSON, I LIVE WH ANOTHER GUY, AND I HAVE A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP. IF I DON'T TELL YOU THAT, THEN THERE'S REALLY NO FOUNDATN FOR HAVG AN EXCHANGE ABOUT WHO WE ALL ARE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HANK PLANTE: BEG GAY HAS MA ME A BETTER REPORTER. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COVERG AIDS AS AN OPENLY GAY MAN HOTON THE EARLY '80S, THE HOSTILE FEEDBACK PLANTE RECEIVED WASN'T SOLELY OM VIEWERS. "THE GENERAL MANGER AT THE STATN AT THE TIME DIDN'T LIKE OUR VERAGE, DIDN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT I WAS GAY," HE RELLED. "AND I IGNORED HIM." COVERG AIDS SAN FRANCIS SOON AFTERWARD, PLANTE TOOK EVEN MORE FIRE — SOME OF OM UNLIKELY SOURC. "PEOPLE THE GAY MUNY SAID, 'YOU'RE MAKG LOOK BAD … THEY'LL THK WE'RE ALL AIDS RRIERS.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PLANTE WON TWO EMMYS AND A PEABODY FOR HIS SAN FRANCIS AIDS VERAGE, AND 2005 WAS PRENTED WH A GLAAD PNEER AWARD. PLANTE SE HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATN AS BOTH IRRELEVANT TO HIS JOB AND SOMETHG THAT RMS . "BEG GAY HAS MA ME A BETTER REPORTER, JT AS 'S MA ME A BETTER PERSON," HE SAID. "I DON'T JT SEE THE OUTSI. I KNOW THERE IS A WHOLE LIFE THERE THAT I NEED TO BE OPEN TO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT SPE HIS OWN GROUNDBREAKG CHOIC, PLANTE PARTS WH SOME OF THE REPORTERS TERVIEWED HERE, NOT SEEG A NNECTN BETWEEN HIS MISSN AS JOURNALIST AND THE CHOICE TO BE OUT. HOWEVER, HE HAS FOUND HIS OWN OPENNS EARNS HIM RPECT TERTG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'LL TELL YOU WHERE HELPS ME, THIS TRANSPARENCY," EXPLAED PLANTE, REVEALG THAT FOR A BIG TERVIEW — SUCH AS CALIFORNIA ERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER OR A U.S. SENATOR — HE ROUTELY OUT TO HIS SUBJECT BEFORE THE TERVIEW BEGS. "I JT KD OF SLIP . 'OH, YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKG TO MY DOMTIC PARTNER LAST NIGHT, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.' … AND YOU KNOW WHAT I FD IS? IT RELAX THEM. IT CREAT A VERY HONT SPACE, AND THEY'RE MORE OPEN TO ME. … I N'T EXPLA . SOMETHG MAGIL HAPPENS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRAIG STEVENS: I JT NEVER LET BE THAT BIG OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEVENS THKS THE POSIVE REACTN HE HAS RECEIVED AS AN OUT ANCHOR PART OM HIS OWN ATTU. "IF 'S THIS BIG HAND-WRGG, SORT OF TORTURED CISN, I THK PEOPLE FEED OFF YOUR ENERGY," HE SAID. "I JT NEVER LET BE THAT BIG OF A AL." BUT STEVENS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE'S A LOT OF ANXIETY OUT THERE: "I HAVE IENDS WH THE DTRY WHO, REALLY, THERE'S THIS ANGUISH, THIS FEAR OF WHAT HAPPENS" IF THEY E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RANDOL WHE: I ULD JT FEEL MY BLOOD N LD. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT THE WORLD DIDN'T VE . AND SLOWLY WHE VENTURED OUT MORE, ALLOWG HIMSELF TO BE REGNIZED GAY BARS MILWKEE, THEN SI MADISON. EVENTUALLY WHE WAS OUT TO HIS EMPLOYERS, -WORKERS AND HIS DIENCE, SUALLY MENTNG IENDS AND EVENTS DURG MORNG-SHOW CHAT THAT INTIFIED HIM AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND WHE SAID HE EXPERIENCED NO NEGATIVE REACTN. BEG AN "OUT NEWSSTER," HE SAID, "HAS BEEN 100 PERCENT POSIVE." NOW AN ANCHOR ON THE MORNG SHOW AND THE NOON NEWSST FOR CBS AFFILIATE KCOY SANTA BARBARA, CALIF., WHE NNECTS HIS CHOICE TO BE OUT TO SOMETHG HE HEARD OPENLY GAY WISNS REPRENTATIVE TAMMY BALDW SAY: "IF YOU WANT TO LIVE A WORLD WHERE YOU N HOLD YOUR BOYIEND'S HAND WALKG DOWN THE STREET, THEN HOLD YOUR BOYIEND'S HAND WALKG DOWN THE STREET."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHE SAID: "I THK THAT'S SUCH A POWERFUL STATEMENT. BEE YOU HAVE TO DO , FOR TO EVER BE ACCEPTED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} NTU PROFILG THE OUT JOURNALISTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON THE BLOG, HIGHLIGHTG FORMER CNN RRPONNT THOMAS ROBERTS ON TUDAY, REGNAL NEWS NETWORK ANCHOR PL MUELLER ON WEDNDAY, AND MORE OM MIGUEL MARQUEZ IRAQ ON THURSDAY. PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE, A LIVELY DISCSN WH THE JOURNALISTS AND WORK NEWS EXECUTIV, WILL BE PUBLISHED ON MAY 21. IT CLUS A G-OUT TERVIEW WH ONE OF THOSE EXECUTIV. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

"It's that he thought that — and lookg back, you n take what he said a uple of different ways, whether he meant [me] beg Asian or beg gay — but that he thought that what I would brg to that reportg was an unrstandg or an sight to … people who are margalized. "Yang has found that among the polilly powerful Washgton, beg gay is also accepted, spe public rhetoric that might suggt otherwise.

” But Galleg said as he beme more nfint and satisfied at his job, met other gay people at CBS, and found the environment was an acceptg one, “I realized that I had nothg to worry about. ” And Galleg thks beg visible as a succsful gay man is important a siar way. After his World News Tonight report om Iraq on troop morale — which clud one soldier llg for the rignatn of Donald Rumsfeld — Matt Ddge briefly prted the headle, "ABC News Reporter Who Filed Troops Complat Story — Openly Gay Canadian, " lked to an terview Kofman did wh natnal gay magaze The Advote.

"I thk that beg gay, my own md, ma me wonr whether was possible, " he said.

‘WE’RE COMG FOR YOUR CHILDREN’: SAN FRANCIS GAY MEN’S CHOIR SGS IN VIRAL VIO

Bee if people are terted you outsi of the parameters of your job self, and you ignore [beg gay], then you're ignorg an important part of yourself. … I said I'm a gay person, I live wh another guy, and I have a long-term relatnship.

"Hank Plante: Beg gay has ma me a better reporter. Coverg AIDS as an openly gay man Hoton the early '80s, the hostile feedback Plante received wasn't solely om viewers.

THE 10 GAYEST STAT IN AMERI FOR 2020

"The general manger at the statn at the time didn't like our verage, didn't like the fact that I was gay, " he relled.