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Musto Answers His Anderson Cooper Critics

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Musto Answers His Anderson Cooper Critics

DID I RUIN MY CHANCES WITH ANDERSON COOPER? In addition to some touching support, Ive gotten a steaming heap of flack for my current Out magazine article in which I examine why CNNs fabulous Anderson Cooper hasnt come out or been at least asked about his sexuality in the lengthy but guarded profiles written about him. A lot of the people attacking me havent even read the piece, which references my Voice writings and which is not a screed at allits just a questioning look at why Coopers open-secret life hasnt gotten ink, a practice he obviously goes along with. Still, Im getting all the same old arguments from the early 90s and have to drag up all those hoary, old defenses in response. You know: How do you know hes gay? Gee, well, Im a reporter. His off-camera life is private and I dont care about it. Good, then I presume youll scream the same sentiments at anyone who dares to write about Brad and Jen, Ben and Jen, Katie Courics fling, Diane Sawyers marriage, Lindsay Lohans gropefests, and so on and so on. And dont let me catch you reading any of those items, by the way. Youre not interested, remember? But some of those people have been spotted doing stuff in public. Well, Andersons been seen at gay spots. No ones forced to come out. I never said anyone was (though they certainly should). In fact, I gently examine the reasons why he wont. But he is out. Sort of, but not on the record. And if he is out, why are you so upset about the article? But he never said he was straight. Yeah, thats in the article. And I never said he was straight either. I said he was gay. Outing is disgusting. But you didnt think so with David Gest, Al Reynolds, Fabien Basabe, Mario Vasquez, or even the false rumors about Marcia Cross coming out or all the Jacko jokes. Not one person complained to me about any of those reports. So producers, party boys, singers, freaks, and women are OK to report about, just not credible newsmen (and former Mole hosts)? I thought it was disgusting with them, too. Outing is just gross. But whats gross about saying someones gay? Its OK to be gay, remember? Project much, dear? But my cousin was outed and Wait, your cousin is not a public figure. There are different rules for celebrities. We should only out our enemies and hypocrites. So I should only reveal when horrible people are gay? That would really advance the gay cause, wouldnt it? In my book, outing isnt only trotted out as a revenge tacticits a statement of equalizing and truth. You're just outing someone to get your activist credentials. PleaseI was doing this before it was cool. I outed Methuselah. Youre just jealous of Anderson. No, Im actually very proud of Anderson and, in fact, the article is wildly appreciative of his talent and charm. The piece is just saying hes smart, successful, and happens to be gay, too. Youre out of line! But I write about celebrities personal lives for a living. To leave out anything gay because it might seem distasteful to someone would be so hypocritical. And the media certainly didnt omit mention of Andersons brothers tragic suicide. Nor do they avoid covering all kinds of celebrities adulterous affairs, out-of-wedlock babies, narcotics problems, or gross misbehavior. But after your writeup, someone on Don Imus made homophobic remarks about Anderson. So I should never say anyones gay because someone else might make a dumb comment about it? In that caseyou heard it here firstJamie Foxx is white. This will ruin his career. One 800-word article in a gay magazine? And a pretty gushy one at that? Besides, Im not making him gay, Im just saying he is. If he came out himself, it could hurt his career. But the article addresses that. The article, in fact, covers practically all the bases. You didnt ask him for comment. I asked CNN for a comment from Anderson and/or themselves. They apparently didnt even forward it to him, they just responded by sending me a blanket No comment. Besides, in the past, Andersons turned down the chance to be labeled gay. And when New York Daily News columnist Ben Widdicombe asked him if he had any comment about the Out piece, he said No. This is sick! Oh, really? And youre on that Web site all day where the fake Marcia Cross thing started and where they relentlessly out celebrities, including a lot of people who arent even gay? Id say youre conflicted. Oh, and probably gay, too! To read an excerpt from Mustos original story for Out, click here.

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Michael Musto