Robin Roberts has opened up about the fear she felt before coming out – admitting that she didn’t think she ‘could be Christian and gay’ at the same time, and revealing that she finally chose to speak out about her sexuality for the sake of her longtime partner, Amber Laign.
The Good Morning America host, 61, came out to the world in 2013 via a Facebook post – after meeting her girlfriend Amber in 2005.
Now, she has spoken out about why she kept her sexuality hidden for so many years, explaining that she was ‘afraid people wouldn’t understand’ her.
The journalist revealed during a recent essay written for People magazine that she first came out when she was younger to a ‘mentor, someone she really looked up to.’
However, Robin said her reaction was ‘so not supportive,’ and she even described it as ‘hateful.’
Robin Roberts has opened up about the fear she felt before coming out – admitting that she didn’t think she ‘could be Christian and gay’ at the same time in an essay for People magazine
The Good Morning America host, 61, came out to the world in 2013 via a Facebook post – after meeting her girlfriend Amber Laign in 2005. The couple is pictured together in 2019
Now, she has spoken out about why she kept her sexuality hidden for so many years, explaining that she was ‘afraid people wouldn’t understand’ her
The next person she told was one of her sisters years later, who burst into tears and said, ‘I’m not crying because you’re gay. I’m crying because you love me enough to tell me.’
Throughout her years at ABC, the TV personality said that ‘everyone’ in her personal life knew she was gay, including her ‘family, colleagues, bosses,’ but she ‘wasn’t ready to say it publicly.’
‘I was afraid people couldn’t understand that I could be Christian and gay,’ she shared with the outlet.
However, after attending GMA weatherman Sam Champion’s wedding to Rubem Robierb in 2012, and seeing them receive so much support from the public, she became inspired to want to speak publicly about her own sexuality.
‘I was there at the wedding, I was able to see how our bosses at ABC embraced it. And to see how the public was so supportive, that really opened my eyes,’ she explained.
Robin has faced numerous health problems over the years. She beat breast cancer in 2007, and five years later, she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) – a disease in which the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells.
Over the years, Robin (pictured last month) said ‘everyone’ in her personal life knew she was gay, including her ‘family, colleagues, bosses,’ but she ‘wasn’t ready to say it publicly’
After attending GMA weatherman Sam Champion’s wedding to Rubem Robierb in 2012, and seeing them receive so much support from the public, she became inspired to speak out
After undergoing treatment and a bone marrow transplant in 2013 with her partner, Amber, by her side, she realized it was time to introduce her to the world.
‘I didn’t come out necessarily for me. I did it because I love Amber,’ she said, adding that the public just ‘got it.’
The TV personality said she also decided to share her sexuality with the world not for herself, but ‘because she loves Amber.’ The couple is seen together in 2014 – months after she came out to the public
‘People saw me exactly as I am,’ she gushed. ‘And then I realized, if somebody who looks like me was to come along, maybe I could give them a little more courage. Maybe they would know they were not walking alone.’
Robin added that ABC was nothing but supportive of her decision.
Now, the 61-year-old is proud of how many people she has helped by coming out, revealing that numerous parents have since told her that it wasn’t until she revealed her sexuality with the world that they were able to ‘accept their own children.’
‘For whatever reason, my revelation allowed them to actually see their child because they had such a respect and love for me. That is the power of visibility,’ she said.
Robin is hoping to provide more ‘hope’ and be a ‘beacon of recognition and representation’ for others who may be struggling.
Robin has faced numerous health problems over the years. She beat breast cancer in 2007, and five years later, she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
After undergoing treatment and a bone marrow transplant in 2013 with her partner, Amber, by her side, she realized it was time to introduce her to the world. She is pictured in February 2013
Robin hopes that by speaking publicly about her sexuality, she can become a ‘beacon of recognition and representation’ for others who may be struggling
‘Today, people ask me about Amber like they would if her name were Andy,’ she concluded. ‘Sometimes I have to pause and take that in.
‘I know now the importance of having come out. And I am so encouraged by so many LGBTQ+ people who are visible in media.
‘I’ve learned we can all provide hope, we can all be accidental, incidental activists, beacons of recognition and representation.
‘I’m not an activist … but I think I’ve spawned activism in people. I like that. And we can do it without beating our chests and getting on a soapbox and getting in someone’s face and yelling at them about how they should be.
‘By being our authentic selves, others can be motivated. They may even rally around it.
‘I love people people say, “I’m part of your tribe,” because I know I am seen – not despite of but because of who I truly am: gay and black and a woman.’
Back in February, Robin revealed that Amber had breast cancer, announcing in a social media video that she will have to step away from the morning show ‘from time to time,’ so that she could be by Amber’s side as she undergoes treatment.
She said that numerous parents have since told her that it wasn’t until she revealed her sexuality with the world that they were able to ‘accept their own children’
Back in February, Robin revealed that Amber had breast cancer, announcing in a social media video that she will have to step away from the morning show ‘from time to time’
She said that Amber – who was diagnosed with the illness at the end of last year – had started chemotherapy, and thankfully, Robin added at the time that Amber’s prognosis was ‘good’
She said that Amber – who was diagnosed with the illness at the end of last year – had undergone surgery in January. She also started chemotherapy, and thankfully, Robin said at the time that Amber’s prognosis was ‘good.’
‘We’re so grateful to our family and friends who have known this and kept it private until Amber was ready to share it with others,’ she said in the video.
‘She and I have been together for almost 17 years, and have helped each other through our challenges, like my journey with cancer.
‘It’s my turn now to be there for her as she was for me. That means I’ll be away from GMA from time to time, like this morning, as she starts chemo.
‘We know many, many are facing cancer and other challenges – like my mama said, “Everybody’s got something.”
‘Please know that you are in our prayers and hopefully we’re in yours too. Blessings to all.’
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