Dan Kloeffler, ABC News Anchor, Comes Out As Gay (VIDEO)

The coming out of "Star Trek" hunk Zachary Quinto has already inspired an ABC news anchor to publicly follow suit.

Though Dan Kloeffler's admission was certainly subtle and nonchalant -- "I'm thinking I can lose my distraction about dating actors," he quipped while commenting on a segment about Quinto -- it was the first time the World News Now reporter acknowledged his sexuality while on the air. He has since gone on to call it an act of solidarity.

"...For the same reason that Zach decided to come out, I too, no longer wanted to hide this part of my life," the 35-year-old Kloeffler wrote. "There have been too many tragic endings and too many cases of bullying because of intolerance...as a journalist, I don’t want to be the story, but as a gay man I don’t want to stand silent if I can offer some inspiration or encouragement to kids that might be struggling with who they are."

Watch the video of Kloeffler's coming out here:

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Comments

[MPhenomenon]

09:51 AM on 10/26/2011

I find the views of some gays to be hypocritical. You believe it's okay to publicly talk about your sexual orientation, but it's not okay for people to publicly disagree with your orientation. Seems like a double standard. If you are bold enough to come out with that information, you should be able to handle the criticism that comes along with it.

[jcpizwink]

06:30 PM on 11/02/2011

This is where the problem lies: you are disagreeing with who someone is. you can "believe" that people with black skin are actually snake-people, but you should not have the right to use that belief to discriminate or punish black men and women in their pursuit of happiness.
Publicly talk about their sexual orientation? As opposed to what? Pretending to be heterosexual? Censoring yourself whenever the topic of sex/relationships/finding someone attractive/etc. comes up?
You have every right to "disagree" with my choices or my beliefs. You even have the right to judge me based on the color of my skin, my sex, or my orientation. But the latter is not "critique" or "disagreement." That's racism. Homophobia. Sexism. Take your pick.

So no. There is no hypocrisy with homosexuals talking about who they are and finding it offensive when people "criticize" who they are. The hypocrisy lies in the fact that people wouldn't DREAM of accusing all women that their gender makes them wrong, but accusing homosexuals that their orientation does is somehow different. THAT'S hypocrisy.

And lastly, adults can handle criticism. I'm fully capable of listening to idiots judge who I am and shrugging them off without a second look. But young people are different. Always have been. And bullying based on a FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH of who someone is...let alone a truth that is already vilified by an irrational puritanical standard, is disgusting and needs to be stopped.

[MPhenomenon]

09:45 AM on 10/26/2011

I'm sorry this is so unprofessional and inappropriate. It doesn't not matter what he does in his personal time, just report the news and stop making yourself the news story. I though that was the cardinal sin in journalism?

[siren9ll]

08:53 PM on 11/20/2011

are you "sorry" because his off-hand, light-hearted comment made YOU---or---your wife uncomfortable... ????? get a prescription for AMBIEN and then tell her ;)

[UnChristian DiorAma]

09:02 AM on 10/22/2011

I just posted this comment elsewhere, but I think it bears repeating:
IT'S NOT "COMING OUT" IF THE PERSON IS NOT IN THE CLOSET. Geez. This was a casual comment, not some kind of official declaration. And the way that it's being treated by "news" stories like this wreaks of heterosexist double-standard. For the sake of argument, let's presume that his female co-anchor is heterosexual. If she'd made a similar comment about her attraction to some male actor, a report like this about that comment would be ridiculous. Which is why this report is ridiculous.

[Gay Iberian]

09:10 PM on 10/24/2011

For some people, given the rise in homophobia, it's a courageous act to even simply say "I'm gay." it gives them a liberating effect.

[dre31]

12:41 PM on 10/20/2011

The News Anchor Dan is attractive

[wilray]

12:41 AM on 10/24/2011

I was thinking the same thing. I was also thinking guys like him are the reason there is the old adage "the good ones are either taken or gay."

[Fortuosity]

04:26 PM on 10/19/2011

Now if I could just find his Manhunt profile,,,yummy....

[shymlucky]

10:33 PM on 10/18/2011

Congratulations, Dan Kloeffler!!! Maybe more TV news anchors will follow the examples set by you, Don Lemon, Thomas Roberts, Rachael Maddow, and others!!!

[dogtalker]

11:43 PM on 10/27/2011

so, robin roberts. when will your example be set?

[Dewts]

09:24 PM on 10/18/2011

that was a very subtle coming out. at first i assumed it was a publicity stunt from abc, but then i actually watched the clip. just a fellow making a very brief conversational comment.

[anytimecowboy]

05:50 PM on 10/18/2011

For all of you asking, why do gay people need to come out. Try growing up in a world where you think you are the only one out there. Try being in high school sex ed and not relating to anything that is being said and not knowing why. When a gay actor, newsperson, or other famous person come out it is telling all gay youth, it's ok. Be exactly who you are.

[adcan49]

07:33 PM on 10/18/2011

You said it, cowboy!

[shymlucky]

10:30 PM on 10/18/2011

You hit the nail on the head, Cowboy!!!

[RickCoMatic]

05:40 PM on 10/18/2011

No "One" is gay.
We are ALL gay.
We all are one.
Our sameness self-evident.
Created equal.
Free.
With unalienable rights.
Non-homophobic assailable.
Life ... Liberty ... Pursuing Happiness.
I have a dream.
Have a nice day.

[Jerry Callaio]

04:01 PM on 10/18/2011

THANKYOU Dan for having the courage and honesty to be yourself and come out so the LGBT community gets better representation and LGBT youth have role models to emulate and give them hope. Again BRAVO!!!!!

[truth be told again]

03:51 PM on 10/18/2011

I wonder if Kloeffler lives in one of the 30 States where one can still be fired just for being gay?

[Dewts]

09:23 PM on 10/18/2011

as reprehensible as i find someone being fired over their sexuality, i do believe it is an employer's right.

[truth be told again]

09:52 PM on 10/18/2011

Based on ... ?

[timbohp]

12:06 AM on 10/19/2011

So I should be able to fire Christians, because I don't like them?

[Anonmouse33]

01:52 PM on 10/18/2011

Know that nature loves diversity, but society hates it and that a creator who doesn't understand his own work would be invalid.

Too many good beings live under the stress of social judgement, simply for their choice in love.

[Tennys Daughter]

01:45 PM on 10/18/2011

It would stand to reason if one "has to come out" it means they were hiding. You only hide something if (a) you are ashamed; or (b) you feel it's wrong.

[Ioan Lightoller]

02:08 PM on 10/18/2011

You als hide something when there is a real fear of physical harm.

[Tennys Daughter]

03:10 PM on 10/18/2011

That's truly unfortunate.

[mushimom]

06:52 PM on 10/18/2011

Right u are Loan...u changed your avatar! Love Elizabeth I!!....hope u and William are well....sending u much love and hugs!!

[tulips1]

02:21 PM on 10/18/2011

What I got was that he decided to come out in order to help, support and be a role model to others, especially the kids in the new lately who were/are being bullied.

I find that noble.

[Anonmouse33]

01:42 PM on 10/18/2011

It will be nice someday when this is not news and we have moved on as a responsible society.

7 billion on a darkening planet...

We need as many gay couples taking care of the spare kids we are running over in the streets or 'electifying on fences'.. as we can get.

[dbrett480]

01:40 PM on 10/18/2011

Good for him. One day I hope these stories will no longer be newsworthy.

[truth be told again]

04:24 PM on 10/18/2011

That will only happen when the liars and haters go silent.