Good morning america Presenter Robin Roberts has spoken out about her experience coming out as gay while in the public eye.
While talking to the businessman Jamie Kern Lima On her podcast, Roberts explained that she was hesitant to come out because she didn’t want to “hurt” anyone. GMAwhere he had been since 2005.
“Is not theThe Robin Roberts ShowisGood morning america“She told Lima. “And there are so many people whose livelihood depends on the success of our show. And so if I do something that hurts the show, that hurts them… I thought about that. I didn’t want to do anything that hurt those people that I’ve been working with and that I absolutely adore.”
Roberts later came out in 2013 in a Facebook post in which he praised his “longtime girlfriend” Amber Laign, whom he later married in 2023. The couple had already been together since 2005.
“I would walk down the street with Amber and if anyone saw us, I would introduce her. I wasn’t trying to hide, but I wasn’t ready to do it completely yet. [come out],” she said.
Roberts added that she also feared being rejected because of her religion.
“I have never said this before, partly because of my Christianity,” he confessed to Lima during the emotional interview.
“I was afraid that people would think you can’t be gay and Christian. And I am. I am, and I was so afraid of being rejected,” she said. “I got a letter, a beautiful letter from the National Presbyterian Church Office after I announced Amber, totally supporting me, and then I think about all those years I wasted, worrying, worrying unnecessarily.”
Roberts also revealed to Lima that she once tried to break up with Laign because she was used to “dysfunctional relationships,” but Laign quickly rejected it.
“I was stunned,” Roberts said. “I thought she was going to say, ‘You have to stay with me,’ and she did the exact opposite, with such confidence.” [and said]“I know what you had and I know what you have now and if that’s what you want…” and I didn’t.
It’s been nearly two decades since Roberts and Laign met on a blind date set up by their friends.
Throughout its relationshipRoberts and Laign have survived two bouts of breast cancer, as well as a rare blood disorder for which Roberts received a life-saving bone marrow transplant in 2012.
Regarding her coming out process, Roberts said she felt it happened “just in time.”
“This was the right time in my life. It felt right,” she told Lima. “And now I can’t even imagine people not knowing everything about me. And you know what’s also liberating? It’s like, ‘Go ahead. You know everything about me. And I have nothing to hide. ’ And the fact that they still accept me is a blessing and a huge blessing. I’m so grateful.”
