LZ Granderson, CNN political commentator; ESPN senior writer
49. Inside their complex relationship
The 56-year-old has since become the first LGBTQ+ person to moderate a presidential debate and is a father to two sons (Wyatt, three, and Sebastian, one) with ex-partner Benjamin Maisani.
As part of CNN's Full Circle in 2021, Anderson said of coming out: "It made me a better person, it made me a better reporter...
Oh!' Meanwhile the public was going like, 'Uh, duh! They tied the knot the following year and have been inseparable in their journeys on-screen and off ever since.
MORE: GMA Weekend star Gio Benitez shares adorable video with husband after vacation with Robin Roberts
Gio opened up about his coming out journey on ABC News last year, saying: "Just give yourself the grace of time and understand that it doesn't have to be rushed.
Mo Rocca, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent
32. However, their story had a happy ending, as he continued: "Before he died, he looked at me…And he said, 'I'm proud of the man that you became.' And that was everything!"
The leading man of CNN, the anchor of Anderson Cooper 360 and 60 Minutes correspondent is considered one of the most successful and prominent openly gay journalists on TV.
A member of the Vanderbilt family, he frequently avoided discussing his personal life till 2012, when he allowed Andrew Sullivan to publish an email in which he wrote: "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be."
MORE: Is Anderson Cooper still together with Benjamin Maisani?
I've only made these decisions as a gay person.
"I don't know what it would be like to be doing this show as a straight person and make different editorial decisions, but I feel like gay rights issues get considered like all others."
The host of DailyMailTV and former MSNBC anchor Thomas was one of the very first network TV journalists to have his coming out story become part of a nationwide conversation.
The now 50-year-old publicly declared that he was gay in 2006 while speaking at the annual convention of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists' Association, citing it as the "biggest step" when it came to his sexuality journey.
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In 2011, a day after same-sex marriage was legalized in New York, he revealed he was engaged to Patrick Abner (his partner since 2000), and they were married the following year.
Pete Williams, NBC News justice correspondent
41. Or all of the brave reporters — print and broadcast — who came to my native South to cover the civil rights revolution. She's gay! US stories here
Like this story? Kyle Griffin, MSNBC The Last Word producer
50. Or Christiane Amanpour and her stories from so many hot spots around the globe.
We in the LGBTQ+ community have our own heroes: LGBTQ+ journalists who have shown courage and resolve by telling the truth, including their own personal truths, whatever the cost and whatever the difficulties.
Established in 2005 as part of NLGJA’s 15th anniversary celebration, the LGBTQ+ Journalists Hall of Fame was launched to make sure that their stories are told and preserved — not just for us, but for all journalists and for our readers and viewers.
The journalists honored here are true heroes.
Really? As we’ve done in the past, we left the meaning of “influential” open to interpretation. And as much as we appreciate our colleagues in the LGBT news world, this list consists of reporters and editors who produce for mainstream outlets on largely non-LGBT beats.
The 2017 list is jam packed with some of the most esteemed television news figures in front of and behind the camera.
Rachel Maddow, whose show has climbed to No.
1 across cable news among adults 25-54 and was No. 1 across all measurements in July, takes the No. 1 spot on the list. You will know when it's time."
Another ABC stalwart, Sam is WABC-TV's chief meteorologist and has been part of the weather team for the network since 1988, having previously reported for The Weather Channel and NBC's Today Show.
The 61-year-old never officially came out as gay during his daytime career, but prominently announced on the air back in 2012 that he was engaged to then-boyfriend Rubem Robierb, who he married later that year.
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.
All of us hope that these stories will inspire you as they inspire us.”
– Kenneth Jost, LGBTQ+ Journalists Hall of Fame founder
Here’s how The Advocate created the list:
First, we asked a lot of LGBT journalists who they’d pick. So I'm very blessed."
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.
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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.
Thomas Roberts, MSNBC anchor
44. Younger journalists may think of Woodward and Bernstein and the Watergate story. 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.
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.
We’re glad to say that includes more people this time around. It's enabled me to love the people that I've loved and have the life that I've had.