Thomas Roberts to be honored by GLAAD

It was nearly nine years ago that then CNN Headline News anchor Thomas Roberts came out publicly as a gay man at a gathering of fellow journalists in Miami.

I was in the room that day and it was a powerful moment.

His career suffered some setbacks after he went public but it is now in high gear with Roberts anchoring a two-hour show on MSNBC each weekday that has helped the network’s ratings grow in the time period.

GLAAD has just announced that it will be honoring Roberts next month in New York City with its Vito Russo Award which is given to an out media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.

‘Quite a HUGE HONOR!’ Roberts posted on Facebook after learning of the news. ‘WOW!’

GLAAD praises Roberts for putting LGBTI issues front and center of his news coverage, often bringing attention to stories overlooked by other national news outlets.

Those stories on MSNBC Live With Thomas Roberts and other programs have included pieces on out athletes, marriage equality, and discrimination within the Boy Scouts of America. He has also given a voice to many transgender advocates and dedicated several segments to the bullying faced by LGBTI youth.

‘Thomas Roberts isn’t afraid to put a spotlight on injustices faced by LGBT people that all too often go unreported,’ GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.

‘As a journalist and anchor with millions of viewers, he brings stories to national attention, leading the conversation and accelerating acceptance of the LGBT community.’

Previous Vito Russo Award honorees include George Takei, Anderson Cooper, Ricky Martin, Rosie O’Donnell, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, Alan Cumming, Tom Ford, and Cynthia Nixon.

Russo was one of GLAAD’s co-founders and the author of The Celluloid Closet.