A veteran news anchor in Canada has come out as gay to his longtime viewers, using last week's National Coming Out Day as an opportunity to share his authentic self.
Leslie Roberts, who has anchored a number of Canadian news programs since the 90s, spoke openly about his sexuality and relationship during a segment on CTV Morning Live, which he currently presents the news for.
“I want to live an authentic life, and I want everyone who is watching this morning to know that I’m a gay man, and have been [out] since 1989," he told CTV's audience, revealing that he'd been discouraged from sharing his sexuality early on in his career.
“This discussion is 30 years in the making, because when I did come out, we weren’t able to have this kind of discussion," he said.
“Starting out in the TV news business, I was told if I shared it publicly, it would be career-limiting if not killing.
“But my friends and family have always known, I have been surrounded by people I love.”
Roberts also revealed that he is happily married to his husband, Chris - and has been for four years.
“We got together almost 18 years ago, but never even dreamed we could get married because it wasn’t an option," he said.
“We got married four years ago, and I started my vows by paying tribute to those who came before us, and said we’re standing on the shoulders of those who struggled, who were harassed, who went to jail.
“Friends and family were in tears, and I could see how moved they were. To me, it’s not new, but I was like, wow, they really get it. They understand where we’ve come and that the fight is not over.”
The longtime anchor also used the segment to address the ongoing challenges faced by members of the LGBTIQ+ community in Canada.
Leslie Roberts revealed that he was banned from mentioning his sexuality on air earlier in his career. Source: CTV Morning Live
“As we speak, conversion therapy is still legal in a lot of provinces of our country," he stated.
“There are still people who are shunned, and there are still people who are misunderstanding what it is.
“We have politicians running to be Prime Minister of Canada right now who don’t personally understand that gay marriage is equal marriage in the eyes of the majority of Canadians."
He added: “I find it really tough, because if you said, ‘I don’t believe in mixed marriage’, we wouldn’t stand for it.”
