Monday, December 30, 2013

First Robin of Winter

Make that The Out Nine. On Sunday longtime broadcast journalist and popular “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts officially came out – via Facebook, no less. Yep, it’s officially the year of unconventional, nonchalant outings. The 53-year-old has not commented publicly on her personal life until now. But, like with so many of the famous women who came out in 2013, most people had know – or assumed – about Robin for years.

In her Sunday Facebook post she reflected on the past year and what she is grateful for. Among them, she listed “my long time girlfriend, Amber.”

“I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.”
ABC News confirmed Amber is Amber Laign, who has been in a 10-year relationship with Robin. I’m incredibly happy for Robin and Amber, but acknowledgements like these always make me a little sad, too. While I have no doubt that Robin was open with her family and friends and probably co-workers about her relationship with Amber, it took 10 years for her to tell the rest of the world. It’s just a reminder that closet doesn’t only hurt the people inside of it.

Over the years Robin has built an award-winning career as both a sportscaster and news reporter. And besides being a newly inducted official member of the LGBT community, she also forever has a place in LGBT history as the journalist President Barack Obama chose to sit down with the express his support of marriage equality in May 2012.



Robin has also let the public into her private health struggles, first with breast cancer and in the last few years with diagnosis and treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome. Her Facebook post touches on that, how a year ago she celebrated 100 days since her bone marrow transplant. (Side note: reflective end-of-the-year coming out, let’s make this a thing!)

What makes her acknowledgement extra special is that not only is this another talented and respected woman, this is a woman America admires and invites into their living rooms every single morning. So thank you, Robin. Being grateful for those we love out loud matters, and coming out always matters. Oh, and score another awesome addition to Team Rainbow. Oh, and one more side note, damn girl looks good for 53 - or any age, actually.

3 comments:

egghead said...

Well, she's been to hell and back, health-wise. I've taken a glimpse of her saga on GMA a few times and I always thought she would be better off completely out. Robin is sort of an open book type anyway -- not able to hide much because of her philosophies. I am relieved she is out now. This is what peace looks like outside of that dark, dark heavy closet.

Anonymous said...

Past time but on the other hand it is no ones business but hers. I knew she was and glad she is letting everyone else know too.

Carmen SanDiego said...

So now we have Robin in the morning, Ellen and Sara Gilbert in the afternoon and Rachel Maddow at night.
Lesbians all day long!
And congrats, Robin, on landing a massage therapist. Best profession for a spouse ever