To Boldly Go…
EmailKind of a big moment for me while filling in on World News Now, which is by far the most fun you can legally have at 3:00 in the morning! Yunji de Nies and I were talking about celebrity headlines, when I read the story about Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in “Star Trek,” coming out as gay in a magazine interview. Because WNN is a show where you can offer some personality, I had a little fun with the story saying that I would drop my rule against dating actors.
I’ve never shared that I’m gay on-air, even though I’ve been out to my family, friends and co-workers for years. In fact, an old boyfriend – now best friend – has always given me a hard time about not doing so. But for the same reason that Zach decided to come out, I too, no longer wanted to hide this part of my life.
There have been too many tragic endings and too many cases of bullying because of intolerance. As a kid I wanted someone to look up to, someone that could relate to the feelings I was having. Most of all, I wanted to know that it would get better.
And it did.
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 can offer some inspiration or encouragement to kids that might be struggling with who they are.
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Thanks for sharing, Dan. Keep boldly going
Posted by: Derek | October 17, 2011, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
You just got mentioned on Gawker. So I think you finally made it into the big leagues, Dan. Congrats! I also thought Zach had a boyfriend. But I’m not sure if they’re still together. You can do a Google search to check out the hottie.
Posted by: David in Houston | October 17, 2011, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Good for you, sir. And I’ll gladly ignore my rule about not dating journalists.
Posted by: Marc | October 17, 2011, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
Made this remark on the WNN Facebook page – so forgive me for repeating myself….I saw You/Dan make the comment this morning and thought that was truly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen spontaneously happen on TV. I’m an ally and friend ~ so happy to see people living out loud and being proud of who they are. ❤
Posted by: Tess | October 17, 2011, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
I read about this .. wanted to congratulate you for deciding to come out. You are right that if kids can see normal every day people out there in the work force, out there in the media who are ‘just like them’ (so to speak) it can help their self esteem to know they aren’t the odd man out.
good for you, you did the right thing!
BJ
Posted by: BJ | October 17, 2011, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
Dan, welcome to the light.
I’ve been watching you for some time and thought you might be gay but I am glad you are comfy tossing it out there.
May you enjoy the positive and screw the negative.
You are of a kind and deserve your time in the sun Dan.
Posted by: bkmn | October 17, 2011, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
I know you’ll receive a lot of support and encouragement from the gay community, but please know, many of us in the ‘straight community’ support you 100% too. What thrills me is that both you and Zach came out so nonchalantly. It shouldn’t be a big deal and the way you both did it speaks to that. Congratulations and hold your head up – you did a great and brave thing today!
Posted by: Debbie | October 17, 2011, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
You’re wonderful. Both you and Zachary Quinto’s nonchalant, casual, easy-going “coming out” stories somehow made me get teary. Coming out is terrifying to some of us, and it shouldn’t be that way. I really love and appreciate that people like you who are in the public eye are making a serious effort to live out and proud, which really (really) does encourage others to do the same as well as decreasing the stigma against non-heterosexuality.
I wish you the best, fellah.
Posted by: Sam | October 17, 2011, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
Thank you and congratulations! It has long bothered me that more gay men my age who are in the public eye have not come out publicly. It is crucial that we gay men in our 30′s become proud and positive examples to gay youth. We need to really make it clear how wonderful and exciting this time in our lives are, and how much fun and opportunity and love and dignity is available to gay men in America today. And that we all will only get better.
Posted by: actionbox | October 17, 2011, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm
This is one more step that as of 24 hours ago hadn’t happened… and now it’s something that already has. Congrats, Dan!
Posted by: Beau | October 17, 2011, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
Saw this story on Towleroad, and I have to say it made my evening. My partner and I have a 3 year old daughter, and I hope by the time she’s an adult, coming out will be no big deal. Congrats!
Posted by: Andrew | October 17, 2011, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
Congrats, Dan. I like the nuance and the courage.
Posted by: Kevin | October 17, 2011, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm
This straight Granny congratulates you!
Posted by: Kate | October 17, 2011, 11:29 pm 11:29 pm
thanks for coming out I have watched you on ABC for a long time maybe your coming out will save someone’s life
Posted by: robert | October 18, 2011, 1:01 am 1:01 am
What is so inspiring about your bravery (and that of Zack Quinto and others) is that it is based on compassion and empathy. Straight woman here saying I hope we all can find similar courage to act and speak right when it may help–or even save–others.
Posted by: Leila | October 18, 2011, 1:15 am 1:15 am
Congrats man, very funny and cool.
Posted by: Ben | October 18, 2011, 1:21 am 1:21 am
Also from Belgium a big Huzzah! for your on screen coming out! Congratz! xxx
Posted by: Jake | October 18, 2011, 4:54 am 4:54 am
Awesome job! I’ve never watched your news show, but you just got a new viewer. That took guts, and you are super charming!
Posted by: Al | October 18, 2011, 10:32 am 10:32 am
Congratulations, Dan. I think the more of us that are “out” publicly, the better. The general public is changing its attitude toward LGBT people and the more people realize that they know and like a gay person, the better it is for all of us.
Posted by: Rich | October 18, 2011, 11:28 am 11:28 am
Don’t your shoulders feel lighter and better? Congratulations.
Posted by: Gene | October 18, 2011, 11:58 am 11:58 am
Congratulations, Sir. You are to be applauded!!
Posted by: ACinTN | October 18, 2011, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
Love it. You seemed kind of nervous, too, which was cute. :) GO you!
Posted by: ISBN | October 18, 2011, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
Thanks Dan for coming out so naturally and nonchalantly. Your bold step is featured in a blog on glbtq.com about increasing acceptance of gay and lesbian journalists in television news rooms. I know your coming out will help a lot of kids.
Posted by: Jay | October 18, 2011, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
Nice work, Daniel!
XOXO
Posted by: Sue C. | October 18, 2011, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Your candor and nonchalance with coming out so publicly are to be commended…thank you!
Posted by: Bernita | October 18, 2011, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
‘Homosexual news guy comes out at 3:00AM’
Whoopdie doo. Stop the presses.
“Reporter Guy Makes Spectacle Of Himself”
Posted by: Bob | October 18, 2011, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Hearty congratulations, and thank you for your nonchalance. I hate the double standard re openness about sexual orientation. Straight people can nonchalantly allude to their sexual orientation whenever they feel like it. Gay people too often, even in 2011, have to be on guard, and sometimes do all manner of contortive, inauthentic avoidance, on the exact same subject. Ugh. I seriously hope it’s you-know-who’s extremely overdue turn for a nonchalant on-air comment next. If he can talk about his personal eating habits, strip down for a spray-tan with Snooki, be shown in bed in his vacation home in pajamas, and share with the world details on his brother’s suicide, he can nonchalantly allude to being gay. Sheesh. He’s simply modeling shame — including to kids — otherwise. Anyway, good job in “boldly going.” Does that might I have to watch TV in the middle of the night now? ;)
Posted by: New fan of you and ABC | October 18, 2011, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Bob, he made exactly the sort of remark a heterosexual person could have easily made about an attractive person of the opposite sex, but because of long-standing attitudes like I suspect you possess, it’s news. I, too, look forward to the day when this isn’t press-worthy.
- Homosexual guy (yet another)
Posted by: Three Cheers | October 18, 2011, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
One Giant Step for Dan Kloeffler…One more small step towards gay tolerance/acceptance.
Posted by: eric | October 18, 2011, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
Another cheer from a straight woman (who’s pushing 70, please note). Well done! Long may you wave.
Posted by: Swift Loris | October 18, 2011, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
You put a smile on my face! I remember years ago being up in the pre-dawn hours getting ready for work, and seeing you on Early Today. I thought “Wow, isn’t he a cutie?” and was thinking “Out of all the anchors I’ve seen, HE’S the one I’d take home to Mom! Is my gaydar pinging?”
I hope, as other realize that coming out can very much be a non-event, we can all lend our voices toward the sweeping majority that say “It Gets Better.”
Best wishes to you Dan!
Posted by: RK | October 18, 2011, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
Thank you Dan! I am 82 years old, my husband and I have been together 36 years. WE married in Vermont, where we now reside 2 years ago, we have lived in North Carolina most of our time together and have always been out. We are both nurses and have seen the tragedy this lifestyle can bring to others.
It is getting better and you have helped countless people with your story. Best Wishes, Art
Posted by: P Arthur Leary | October 18, 2011, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
Doesn’t change my opinion on WNN… It’s still too earty for me to get up.
Posted by: Thomas | October 18, 2011, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
Thank you, Dan. Now, you can stop worrying, and start actually reporting the news that affects this most important facet of your life. And, if you are willing, you can help the cause.
Posted by: Steve | October 18, 2011, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
Well done, sir. :)
Posted by: Mel | October 18, 2011, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
Bravo and congratulations, Dan.
As I am sure you will have some detractors and pundits, I believe you have done a great thing today.
It is great to know that there is a respectful, respectable (ok, yes, quite handsome) representative from a vital demographic that needs to be acknowledged, heard and respected. Yes, it does get better, and you are living proof of it. :-) 5 million thumbs up – WAY up!
Posted by: Ken | October 18, 2011, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
Oooh that was supercute! Yep, you should drop your thing about dating actors – you two would be adorable together! :)
Posted by: Cindy | October 18, 2011, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm
Sincerely: good for you. I’m a straight man, but I feel happy every time a gay man or a lesbian comes out, because nobody should have to hide who they are. The more who do, the easier it gets, and the sooner we can dispense with the notion that we need to worry about the sensitivities of bigots.
Posted by: Cynical Jason | October 18, 2011, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
Dan – I think that was a cool way to go about coming out. Something I would see myself doing. How do I ask you out on a date? Haha. You’re a good looking guy.
Posted by: Dan | October 18, 2011, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm
Congratulations Dan on helping to provide Gay Teenagers with an Anchor by Coming Out on the Air.
You have done a very courageous thing and I hope that you will never have cause to regret it. If more Public Personalities would follow your example Society would see that there are a lot more of us around than they think that are either Gay or do not feel threatened by publicly admitting that they have no problem co-existing with Gays. Once again, thanks for doing your part to show that it does indeed Get Better.
Posted by: Reddragon696 | October 19, 2011, 6:21 am 6:21 am
It seems humans need a reason to feel superior over others and if you’re ‘different’, you’re a target. Even on an anonymous blog I’m not going to lie and say I’ve never done it. I was a typical athlete/football player growing up where ‘queers’ were to be ostracized. I would never have physically bullied anyone but generally looked down my nose at them. I also won’t say I still don’t think things I wouldn’t say out loud (generally down to mental commentary on how people can be so obese). As I became more enlightened, the cause of gays won my head but not my heart (the fact that there even had to BE a cause is fairly shameful in its own right, but I’ll again point to that human superiority condition I mentioned above). I’m 51 now, and I wanted to share that this story has touched my heart. Your parents should be very proud of you, Dan. Congrats on helping pave the way for others so they can have it easier than you did. Thanks for continuing to open hearts like mine.
Posted by: Don | October 19, 2011, 9:02 am 9:02 am
I read about you on Yahoo. I’m not usually awake at that time of night so sorry I didn’t see it, but good for you. I hope it will bring you nothing but happiness. :) I’m glad it got better for you.
You have good taste too, he’s so cute.
Posted by: Regina | October 19, 2011, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Um…Dog bites man is NOT news. And you call yourself a journalist?
Posted by: Phil | October 19, 2011, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
Good for you – i was out at work 20 years ago so some kid could have an easier time now – and they do! someone tell a certain other CNN anchor about the responsibility he has to future generations to “make it better” hats off to you Dan for doing this.
Posted by: rob | October 19, 2011, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm
You go Dan, thanks for the positive outlook you take and for being honest and open and out. I’ve found as time goes on it does get easier and better. Cheers.
Posted by: Jim | October 19, 2011, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
Congratulations, and thank you. I’ve been out for a loooong time now, even at work, but then, I don’t work in the world you do. Whenever someone like you takes a step this courageous, they are to be applauded. How far we’ve come, even since the days Ellen was criticized for not coming out “soon enough” and thus denying the gay community … something. I never really understood that part.
Anyway, thanks again! Good luck to you.
Posted by: Gene | October 20, 2011, 6:44 am 6:44 am
Congratulations Dan! Thank you for boldly going where not many people dare to go. I have been watching you since the Early Show and am a big fan. Thank you for giving young gay teenagers a role model. I have great respect for what you did… Bravo
Posted by: Patrick | October 20, 2011, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Good on you, Dan! Thank you for helping to blaze the trail for many others to come.
Posted by: Lisa | October 20, 2011, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
lol you’re such a dope!! Very proud of you :)
Posted by: Dennis | October 20, 2011, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
Dan, that was a wonderfully honest remark from a reporter about an actor, both of which happen to be attractive gay men. Sure wish I had seen it live. Hope that you guys get a chance to meet soon. And thanks for adding your voice and visibility toward letting the younger generations know that gay folks, their supporters and real friends, old and young, are everywhere.
Posted by: AbsoluteJoe | October 21, 2011, 11:07 pm 11:07 pm
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!! All the best!!!!! :)
Posted by: HAPPY | October 22, 2011, 2:49 am 2:49 am
Congrats Dan! I’ve followed you on the news for some time, and it looks like I will continue to do so.
All the best!
Posted by: Tom | October 22, 2011, 7:05 am 7:05 am
Thank you, I would drop my rule of not dating gay men if you would drop yours of not going out with straight women. :) I like the It gets better videos…………..but is it enough……………we need more people like you that are not flashy and flaunting but able to be open to show how “normal” gay people realy are.
Posted by: sharon | October 24, 2011, 7:44 am 7:44 am
:) Congratulations. You’re handsome by the way!
Posted by: TT | October 25, 2011, 9:10 am 9:10 am
Thanks for coming out. I love you!
Posted by: Jerry | November 2, 2011, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
Dan, My heart and my respect go out to you. I too am a lesbian and was out before it was slightly col to be out. I know of a young kid who used to work for me who killed himself soon after coming out to me. He was in high school, had the prerequisite girl friend and full of hurt, lostness and self loathing. It is very easy to harass, hate and discriminate against a “them” but when there is a face a voice and a personality the “them” becomes a person and that is a lot harder to put down. Our kids need to know it is OK and that it does get better, in fact all kids need to know that gay or straight. Thank you for your courage, obvious comfortableness with your sexuality and the cool way you revealed your self to the world. Or at least those up at 3am.
Posted by: Cae McCreary` | November 3, 2011, 7:18 am 7:18 am
Dan, I wasn’t up to hear you:), but very glad and you must feel relieved to have it public knowledge now, I think it’s horrilbe what is going on in schools, and you are a role model for them. People shouldn’t be judged on their sexual choice, as much as who they are as a person, and their heart and kindess, so hugs.
Posted by: Kathy | November 7, 2011, 11:43 am 11:43 am
Good job! I wish when I was a kid there was someone on the news like you to offer me hope and inspiration. Thanks for being a leader on this!
Posted by: Kevin | November 12, 2011, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
Congratulations and thanks for doing that!
Posted by: Joaquin | November 18, 2011, 9:57 am 9:57 am