Thomas Roberts interview…
AfterElton.com’s Christie Smith has an interview with Thomas Roberts…
Was he worried about the effect it would have on his career? “I had some concerns, but not enough to stop me from doing it,” Roberts said. “There was some trepidation… about making yourself vulnerable to a group of journalists with questions, to experience being on the other side, being in the hot seat, to come up with thoughtful, truthful answers in the way that I wanted…. It’s the largest step I’ve taken to be more active in the organization, and to interact with other gay journalists….
“No one advised me against doing it. I have no regrets, but I have some concerns about some of the reporting, certain correlations that are being drawn.”
Roberts was referring to online reports and speculation that CNN Headline News’ re-shuffling of its anchor positions, including canceling the time slot previously anchored by Roberts, was somehow related to his appearance at the NLGJA event. He was adamant that the timing of the two was purely coincidental.
Why did he feel he need to announce what his sexual proclivities are? Why does the public need to know who he has sex with? Should all the other male anchors announce that they sleep with women? Why should the public care?!
Comment by spiffo — September 15, 2006 @ 2:30 pm
I agree with you spiffo. Why does he need to anounce it to the world?
Comment by Noelle — September 15, 2006 @ 3:28 pm
Perhaps Erica Hill should likewise keep her heterosexuality hidden? Whoops, she can’t, can she? Kind of obvious she’s been sleeping with a man…
Comment by Arthur — September 15, 2006 @ 3:36 pm
Why is who they sleep with even an issue? Why should the public care? When did who you sleep with become a persona ?
Comment by spiffo — September 15, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
The issuue, Spiffo, isn’t who they sleep with but who their FAMILY is. No one thinks twice when people refer to their spouses. Roberts is partnered and doesn’t feel like hiding that fact. Would you admire someone who wanted their WIFE to stay hidden?
Comment by Arthur — September 15, 2006 @ 3:48 pm
You’re missing the whole point. Why do we care anything about an anchor’s family? Just let them read the news, and leave it at that. Your “family” issue is a smokescreen. What about the numerous journalists and entertainers who’ve made these “announcements” and aren’t “partnered?” What’s the issue there? The PC baloney aside, it’s all about sex.
Unfortunatey, Thomas was a victim in one of the priest pedophilia scandals. I feel only compassion for him.
Comment by spiffo — September 15, 2006 @ 4:15 pm
“The PC baloney aside, it’s all about sex.”
If that’s where your mind goes, I guess it is.
Larry King phoned in to reminscence about Ann Richards when news of her death was announced. He said something, then corrected himself, said his wife was standing right there and reminded him. Which, by YOUR calculus, was an admission of who he was ’sleeping with’. It’s all about sex, isn’t it? Why else would he bring her up, if not to brag?
Erica Hill is very visibly pregnant. Perhaps she should go into seclusion until such time as her profile no longer indicates that she had sex at least once with a man. It’s all about sex.
“What about the numerous journalists and entertainers who’ve made these “announcements” and aren’t “partnered?” What’s the issue there?”
It’s a matter of identity. You wouldn’t require a black to wear white makeup to keep his race out of our faces, I hope? Perhaps females should cut their hair and bind their chests so their identity doesn’t offend you?
Comment by Arthur — September 15, 2006 @ 5:05 pm
BTW, Spud, interesting filter. Wouldn’t accept my post until I changed ‘b*easts’ to ‘chests’. Yet ’sex’ is okay?
Comment by Arthur — September 15, 2006 @ 5:07 pm
No offense meant by the following question: If homosexuals do not want to be treated differently / want to be treated like everyone else, why is it necessary to bring up the orientation at all? I don’t understand the necessity of proclaiming being gay or straight. It doesn’t have any bearing on the quality of work. It doesn’t effect how well a co-worker someone is at the office. It doesn’t prevent a person from doing good things for the world.
If a straight anchor started talking about his sexuality, would it be seen as any sort of positive? Or would people think, “Oh gee, shut up, will ya?”
Why should anyone need to know the preferences of news anchors? Do we know if they like toast or English muffins? Coke or Pepsi? Should we know if they are a smoker, a tooth flosser, or a Republican?
(BTW, sorry Arthur that we can’t disguise pregnancy better. Remember that pregnancy is not strictly a sign of sexual activity. Sperm banks, you know. Gosh, I feel like I’m channeling Bea Arthur on the “Golden Girls” now :-)
Comment by Caroline — September 15, 2006 @ 10:51 pm
“I don’t understand the necessity of proclaiming being gay or straight.”
Do you know the marital status of any of your co-workers? If they’re married (and you are not in Massachusetts), you automatically know they’re straight.
Photos of spouses and kids on the desk? Does a male coworker talk about a girlfriend? FLAUNTING their heterosexuality right in your face.
“Why should anyone need to know the preferences of news anchors?”
One doesn’t NEED to know it. And yet, one does. Quoting someone from another board: I know, from watching CNN regularly, that Kyra Phillips husband is a muslim. I know that Soledad O’Brien’s husband is an investment banker. I know his name is Robert. I know Rob Mariciano’s now ex-wife is named Heidi. I know all that and more because I heard it from their lips, because they frequently add little bon mots about their lives because they yap constantly about themselves, on air, in the scheduled ‘banter’ sessions between the anchors, between stories.
Face it - straight people FLAUNT their heterosexuality All. The. Time. The ONLY time ‘flaunting’ annoys you if it’s NOT straights. Please admit you’re a hypocrite on this topic, because you are.
Comment by Arthur — September 16, 2006 @ 5:01 am
Gay people are attacked and killed for being gay in this country. The more high profiled gay people who make it known they are gay may help lessen some of this violence against gay people. Whether you like to admit it or not, it’ s a problem, and until people are no longer killed for being gay, I applaude anyone in power who has the guts to come out.
Comment by Peter — September 18, 2006 @ 12:16 am
Innuendo Peter,
Do you have some statistics? Where is your source on this. “Everyone knows it’s true” isn’t a source. America’s past includes many cases of people being killed for who they are: Blacks, Native Americans, Japanese Americans, Polish and Irish immigrants. But the incidences of people being murdered because they’re gay NEVER happened. Every study done on this has shown that per capita, fewer homosexuals are murdered in the USA each year than heterosexuals. It is people like you that keep this urban legend alive Peter.
Comment by erljr — September 18, 2006 @ 1:11 am
I have no issues with anyone coming out. However, I do have an issue when it becomes “mandatory” for people to come out. Why should one’s sexuality be such an important factor?
Comment by Caroline — September 18, 2006 @ 2:21 am
Soledad’s husband’s name is BRAD
Comment by seven — December 5, 2006 @ 9:53 am