Don Lemon: I Was Victim Of Pedophile As A Child (VIDEO)

CNN anchor Don Lemon admitted over the weekend that he was a victim of a pedophile as a child.

Lemon made the startling announcement on live TV while discussing the scandal involving Georgia Bishop Eddie Long, who is accused of sexually abusing male teenage members of his church.

"I have never admitted this on television," Lemon said. "I am a victim of a pedophile when I was a kid. Someone who was much older than me."

"I have never admitted that on television. I didn't tell my mom that until I was 30 years old," he added later.

"Thank you all for your kind words. I had no idea I'd say that on national tv. It just came out. Sadly, it's the truth for so many young men," he tweeted shortly after.

WATCH:

Comments

[cbsnwdc1]

03:30 AM on 10/02/2010

very weird the way it came out. Not sure it was the right moment while talking with the kids of Bishop Long's church.

[jusathot]

09:22 PM on 10/02/2010

My feeling is that Lemon suspected the two young men were also molested by Eddie Long. I certainly felt that way. Interestingly, all three promised to come back after the bishop's speech, but only the young woman came back.

[Havana Thinks]

01:30 PM on 10/01/2010

You can fool some people all of the time & all people some of the time but you can never fool God!!!

Bishop Long: It is time to explain, ask for prayers & forgiveness, confess before your congregation & most importantly your victims. Confession to your wife is also urgently needed.

[paulette fredericks]

12:44 PM on 10/01/2010

The members of this church appeared to be compliant with church expectations. It appears that they are not allowed to be FREE THINKERS. The church would not be pleased if they had their own thoughts or ideas about the Eddie Long events.
If grown people and church members follow this Man and do not question him. WHAT CHANCE DOES A TEENAGER HAVE AGAINST EDDIE LONG WHEN ADULTS FOLLOW BLINDLY AND PASSIONATELY? THE BOYS HAD NO CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!

[ElaineOO]

11:05 AM on 10/01/2010

Sorry, I'm lost. If this is true. Why did the young men take so long to bring this to the public? Why did they continue having relationships with the Bishop? Why did one young man wait until Bishop was going to leave him then decide to bring this to the open? Why didn't the men tell the public when they were being treated as Kings? I believe they enjoyed this life style, then something went wrong.

[nietpareil]

09:11 AM on 10/02/2010

You don't know anything about this kind of abuse, do you.

[ElaineOO]

02:34 PM on 10/02/2010

Actually, I do, I was sexually assaulted at the age of 15. If true. These were young men, not boys, no one forced them to continue a relationship with the Bishop.

[Deshawna Smith]

09:26 AM on 09/30/2010

I too was a victim at the age of 7, then again at the age of 12. One was a baby sitter and one
was a close friend of the family. Their are some real sick ppl out in the world, and the ones you least expect are the ones who commit acts of such. My heart goes out to Don and the Boys who are having to go through this, it hurts my heart to know the church is backing up Eddie Long, but where is the backing and praying for the boys??

[ibreathe4u]

05:46 AM on 09/30/2010

Don is my favorite CNN anchor. Super smart and super sexy! I was shocked and proud of him when he came out with his experience. Good for him overcoming that trauma and making himself into the strong, smart and confident man that his is.

[alohajane90]

08:31 PM on 09/29/2010

The fact that Don, as a confident African American man and a t.v. newsman, divulged his painful personal trauma on national t.v. and talked about this topic with such grace, will I think have a huge impact on young men feeling safer to come forward and talk about it too. I think he did a very important thing in that moment.

[habeass]

10:36 PM on 09/29/2010

I agree. Guts. I wish him well.

[cgracec]

01:26 AM on 09/29/2010

Don Lemon is a rising star on the otherwise dismal CNN and it is sad to hear that he was subjected to such an awful experience. The way he revealed it was so genuine and heartfelt - it really struck me how dignified he was about it.

[elann]

07:25 PM on 09/29/2010

It hit me in the gut. Something about Don Lemon comes off as so un-CNN. (and I noticed before this)

[jusathot]

09:27 PM on 10/02/2010

Agreed. There is no really good time to talk about this. I think you just have to go with your gut about what is the right time for you.

[Sunkissed08]

12:30 AM on 09/29/2010

Wow. I am so impressed by his confidence and security. Don is a great example of how one can overcome trauma, and use it to educate others. Thank you for your honesty and bravery :o)

[DogsRKool2]

10:00 PM on 09/28/2010

Wow, so personal and painful and courageous.

[bsultan]

09:49 PM on 09/28/2010

Thank you Don Lemon for your courage.

This is such a taboo subject around the globe and therefore it isn't addressed. Children who are victimized by perverts can rarely speak out, even as they get older. So tragic.

[MarieNat]

07:30 PM on 09/28/2010

Does it bother anyone else that the headline says he "admits" being the victim of a pedophile? That word connotes some wrongdoing on the part of the person making the admission, does it not? I wish they'd said he "revealed" he was victimized as a kid.

[robertsandimas]

08:01 PM on 09/28/2010

It bothers me that this story goes on and on and on. He said he had no idea he was going to mention his molestation on the air until at that moment. It's time for us to drop it. Please. Think of Don and what he may be going through, not comments that can be made about him.

[sfurr]

10:45 PM on 09/28/2010

Yes. It was my immediate reaction to the headline. It made me immediately think that it is no wonder there is such a stigma around something for which victims should feel no shame whatsoever. That -- and calls to "move on". If Don Lemon had the courage to speak out, it is better that it stimulates some discourse.

[suemj]

07:16 PM on 09/28/2010

This took a lot for Don to state, and I commend him for his bravery and support him very much! Kudos Don!

[Jon Rudolf]

06:14 PM on 09/28/2010

Don conducted this interview amazingly well considering the circumstances. His confidence, certainty about what is right and skilled communication made this uncomfortable topic more comfortable.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

05:59 PM on 09/28/2010

Kudos Don

Very brave of you.