In light of Zachary Quinto’s encouraging and highly subtle way of coming out as a gay man in New York Magazine, Dan Kloeffler, anchor for ABC News, decided to follow suit and inspire teens who are struggling with their sexuality.
Kloeffler discussed his sexuality in a similarly subtle way while reporting on a story about Quinto on ABC World News Now. “I’m thinking I can lose my distraction about dating actors,” he said. According to The Huffington Post, this is the first time Kloeffler has discussed his sexuality on television. The anchor’s decision to mention his sexuality can be seen as a way to step up to the mark Quinto has now set for the LGBT community in entertainment, particularly when it comes to the culture surrounding being “marketable” to audiences.
Kloeffler wrote on the ABC News’s advice blog that “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, and old boyfriend–now best friend–has always given me a hard time about not doing so. But for the same But for the same reason that Zach decided to come out, I too, no longer wanted to hide this part of my life,” he wrote.
“There have been too many tragic endings and too many cases of bullying because of tolerance. 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 could 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.”
You can see the video in which KLoeffler reveals his sexuality below. And on a personal note–if there’s anyone who is struggling with their sexuality reading this post, please take what Koeffler and Quinto said to heart. Please don’t harm yourself just because someone doesn’t understand you. Every day is better than the next.
