Jason Hackett, a Minnesota news anchor, coming out live on air after 13 years as a journalist: "For people that really know me—my friends, my coworkers, some members of my family—this isn't some huge surprise. I've been living in a glass closet for the most part, but now I wanted to let you out there, the viewers out there that wake up with me every morning to know a little bit more about me. [In] sixth grade is when I realized, 'Wait a minute, I think I’m different.' There was a kid at a bus stop every day after school when I was waiting and I always used to stare at him and be like, 'Wow, there’s something about him that I really like. I don’t know what it is, but I really, really like something about him, 'and I think it dawned on me somewhere around fifth or sixth grade that, 'Wait a minute, I think I’m gay.' It’d be nice to think that after this story is published and after my story is told that there is another young, gay, black, or anybody of color kid out there that is like, 'Wow, he is being his authentic self and he’s not getting killed for it, he’s not getting criticized for it. He’s being his authentic self, and maybe I can also be my authentic self, maybe I can also live my truth, just like Jason is.' What me and ... everyone here on Sunrise strive for is authenticity. And I can't preach that without being my authentic self and for anyone that is watching this now who is struggling to find acceptance or struggling with their family or their friends, take it from me, a gay, Black son of immigrants, the road may not be easy. I won't lie to you and say that it is. But don't worry. Keep going. You're gonna make it." Welcome Out, Jason, and please accept as our gift from HOMO HQ, a Copy of The Gay Agenda and the Official Coming Out Toaster Oven™.
Your words, and your actions, will definitely make it easier for other young people of color to come out and live their truth and their happiness.
Welcome out! |