Anderson Cooper (finally) comes out: “The fact is, I’m gay, always have been” - His sexuality has been an open secret in the television industry but he has never addressed it publicly

For years now there has been speculation and incredibly loud whispers about Anderson Cooper’s sexuality.

Today, he finally confirmed what those in his circle knew and what the public at large suspected: He’s gay.

“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,” the CNN anchor wrote Monday in an open letter to his longtime friend Andrew Sullivan of the Daily Beast.

The 45-year-old host of  Anderson Cooper: 360 said his decision not to come out sooner was because it should be his work as a journalist, not his private life that holds importance in the public domain.

“As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn’t matter,” he said.

Here is an excerpt from the email to Sullivan, which Cooper gave him permission to publish…

Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.

I’ve also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand.

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.

I have always been very open and honest about this part of my life with my friends, my family, and my colleagues. In a perfect world, I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted. I’m not an activist, but I am a human being and I don’t give that up by being a journalist.

Despite never acknowledging he was gay previously, it has long been speculated that Cooper is in a relationship with Ben Maisani. The pair (pictured below) have been spotted all over New York together and these often detailed sightings have been noted by the media.

Shortly after the article was published, Cooper quickly became a trending subject on Twitter, with many fans applauding him for coming out.

Our question to you is: Are you shocked by the move, or shocked that he took so long to reveal what the vast majority of us already knew? Or alternatively, in these times, should he even have to acknowledge the obvious?

Let us know your thoughts!