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CBS News correspondent David Begnaud comes out publicly as a gay man and keeps up Puerto Rico coverage
This wonderful thing happened last week and somehow I am just catching wind of it.
CBS News correspondent David Begnaud came out publicly via Facebook video joining other prominent out broadcast journalists as Ronan Farrow, Thomas Roberts, Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Don Lemon, Robin Roberts, Shepard Smith, Seth Doan, Sam Champion, and Pete Williams, among others – and hopefully more to come.
Begnaud has done heroic reporting on the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Ricans. The story is far from over and he remains on it.
Congrats to David for living his truth personally – and for doing his job professionally.
Background from his CBSNews.com profile: He joined CBS News in August 2015 as a Miami-based correspondent and was relocated to the Network’s Dallas bureau in January 2017. His reporting has been featured across CBS News broadcasts and platforms including “CBS This Morning,” the “CBS Evening News,” “48 Hours,” CBS Sunday Morning” and CBSN, CBS News’ 24/7 streaming news service.
At CBS News, Begnaud has covered a wide range of breaking news stories including the deadliest shooting in U.S. history at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and the terrorist attack at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, and the devastating earthquake that hit Ecuador in April of 2016 leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured.
In the summer of 2017, Begnaud covered Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Hurricane Irma in Florida, and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. He reported in Puerto Rico for over 30 days covering Hurricane Maria and its devastation. Begnaud traveled outside of San Juan to chronicle the suffering of the people in the mountains and rural areas of the island. While on the ground, he used many different platforms to broadcast breaking news from the island, becoming the only source of information for many Puerto Ricans stuck without power. One of his interviews with the Governor of Puerto Rico was credited for bringing awareness about the lack of supplies being delivered to the residents. His reporting earned him the prestigious George Polk award for public service, which recognizes intrepid, bold, and influential work of the reporters themselves across all media.
Reporting the truth includes my own #happypride pic.twitter.com/ABQyLhl6FT
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 24, 2018
I deeply appreciate the loving support from y’all.
I was struck by this message from a mother in Minnesota. She watched the “context video” as I call it, with her son, and sent this message. https://t.co/uu9tFqBajs
Grace from a 6 year old is both humbling & inspiring. pic.twitter.com/nMeRZxv79b
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 29, 2018
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
John Purves says:
I have always liked David’s reporting, especially the Puerto Rico coverage. He seems to genuinely have feelings for people and events. It makes it all that much more real that he is now living his genuine life.
John Purves says:
On a less lofty note he has amazingly beautiful eyes!
Steve Flack says:
Congratulations David
Have listened to your heartfelt talk and even shed a couple tears.
Have always been interested in your reporting, especially Puerto Rico.
Please be well and be happy.
Steve
Mark Allen says:
Dear David,
Thank you for sharing your personal story and I do hope, with you, that others will hear your message.
My wife and I have friends, former colleagues and former neighbors who are gay living in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland. They are among the nicest people we know and we appreciate their friendship. The fact that they are gay doesn’t matter in the least. They are good people.
My wife and I have been married more than 31 years. Whenever you decide to marry is up to you two. I can say, however, that there are benefits in terms of financial security, health benefits and the like that may encourage you to “tie the knot!”
The most important thing for you to know is that you are with a person you love and who loves you!
Congratulations for being open about your personal life. Thank you for the great reporting you do for CBS News.
Raymond Story says:
David,
Just listened to you sharing your most personal and heart retching video. I have watched you for years on CBS reporting on difficult and happy events. I’m 67 widower, just came out 5 years ago. I know the feeling of freedom you described. THANK YOU!
I’ve miss see you. Are you still with CBS? Take care my brother.
Warm Regards,
Raymond