Mashaun D. Simon /NLGJA Reporter

Patrick Noland, left, an anchor at WFTX-TV (Fort Myers-Naples), served as moderator of “Off Camera: The Challenges for LGBT TV Anchors” Friday morning. Craig Stevens, right, main anchor at WSVN-TV (Miami) praised his station for their support of him as an openly gay anchor.

Gay anchors have nothing to hide, say panelists

By Mashaun D. Simon
NLGJA Reporter Staff Writer

As gay men and lesbians, there is nothing to be ashamed of, said Mike Dunston, ABC11 (Raleigh) co-anchor, during “Off Camera: The Challenges for LGBT TV Anchors.”

Dunston joined Patrick Noland, an anchor at WFTX-TV (Fort Myers-Naples); Thomas Roberts, news anchor for CNN Headline News; and Craig Stevens, main anchor at WSVN-TV (Miami), to discuss being out on air and how to handle situations that may come up as a result.

Most times the subject hardly ever comes up for Dunston, but he admitted that he believes it is easier for those who have partners to be open about their sexuality.

“If asked, you would not deny that person that you love,” he said. “How would you deny them?”

Roberts could relate. He told the story of how he came out to his co-anchor, Kathleen Kennedy.

Kennedy was just getting back to the station from maternity leave when she met Roberts.

“You are so cute,” she told him in her deep Southern drawl. “I would like to hook you up. Are you involved with anyone?”

Roberts said he answered her by saying, “Yes, I am,” and told her his partner’s name.

“Oh, oh, OH!” is how she responded.

If you elect to put it out there, it’s a non-issue, said Stevens.

“Just put it out there,” he said, adding that he has been out for 10-plus years. “For me it is not an issue anymore. It has never really been an issue.”

LGBT television anchors are more accepted on the local level than nationally due to the relationships they have created with their viewers, said John Yang, a Washington correspondent for ABC News.

“I never thought an LGBT TV anchor would happen when I first got into journalism,” he said. “It does not seem to matter to the viewers.”

However, Roberts said during the panel that he believes it may be tougher for anchors in local stations.

“I never thought I would make [it if I were out],” he said, adding that he has recently gotten to the point where he feels comfortable with being out.

“Depends on where you are,” interjected Stevens. “You kind of find your way based off of where you are located.”