From closeted correspondent to America’s most trusted gay news daddy – what a journey it’s been for Anderson Cooper.

Anderson Cooper’s journey from keeping his personal life private to becoming one of America’s most trusted openly gay journalists is both remarkable and inspiring. Over the years, Cooper has candidly shared his experiences of understanding, accepting, and embracing his sexuality—and, more recently, his journey into fatherhood.

Coming Out and Acceptance

For years, Cooper maintained privacy about his personal life, which led to speculation and assumptions. Eventually, he addressed this directly, stating:

“It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something—something that makes me uncomfortable. The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.”

Earlier this week, Cooper, now 53, opened up further during a viewer Q&A on his show. When asked at what age he realized and accepted he was gay, Cooper reflected, “I was probably… I don’t know… 7, when I kind of realized. I’m not sure I knew the word ‘gay’ at the time, but I realized something was up, something was different. It was probably, yeah, 6 or 7.”

As he grew older, Cooper began to understand more about his sexuality, coming out to friends during his teenage years. However, he admitted, “It wasn’t what I envisioned for my life. I imagined a family and getting married and all those things, which weren’t possible at the time.” He struggled with internal dilemmas, but focused on his studies at Yale University.

Cooper shared that it wasn’t until after college that he truly embraced his identity: “I think I really, truly accepted it—and just kind of, really not just accepted it but fully embraced it and came around to really loving the fact that I was gay—would probably be right after college.” About a year after graduating, he realized he no longer wanted to waste time worrying about his sexuality or wishing things were different.

He concluded, “I think being gay is one of the great blessings of my life. And it’s made me a better person; it’s made me a better reporter. When you grow up feeling that you’re on the outside of things… you see society from a slightly different view. And I think that can be very valuable and can impact how you treat other people and how you see things. It’s enabled me to love the people that I’ve loved and have the life that I’ve had. So I’m very blessed.”

Fatherhood: A Dream Realized

In April 2020, Cooper welcomed his first child, Wyatt Morgan, via surrogate. The news anchor expressed deep gratitude and wonder at this milestone, especially given his earlier doubts about becoming a parent.

“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child,” Cooper said on CNN. “I’m grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son’s birth.”

He also paid special tribute to the surrogate who carried Wyatt: “Most of all, I am eternally grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, watched over him lovingly, tenderly, and gave birth to him. It’s an extraordinary blessing, which she and all surrogates give to families who can’t have children.”

The Landscape of Surrogacy in the U.S.

Surrogacy in the United States is complex, with laws varying by state. Currently, 47 states permit gestational surrogacy, where the baby is not genetically related to the person carrying the child. In 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples who are parents must receive the same treatment as heterosexual parents, including the right for both parents to be listed on the birth certificate.

Support from Friends and Peers

After Cooper’s announcement, friends and fans flooded him with congratulations. Among them was Bravo’s Andy Cohen, a close friend who also became a father via surrogacy the previous year. Cohen posted on Instagram, “New life, new hope! Wyatt Cooper, you couldn’t have come at a better time! I know a friend who can’t wait to meet you!”

Cohen, who also once doubted he could have children, shared, “As a gay man, I never thought it was in the cards for me. When I came out to my parents in 1988, my mom said she had to mourn the life that I wasn’t going to be able to have. And that life meant getting married and having kids.”

A New Era for LGBTQ+ Families

Both Cooper and Cohen’s stories highlight the evolving possibilities for LGBTQ+ individuals and families in the United States. Their openness about their journeys offers hope and inspiration for many, showing that dreams of love, family, and acceptance are truly possible.