According to Robin Roberts, there was a moment when she was “afraid” to come out in public because of her religious beliefs.
The media personality acknowledged on a recent edition of Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast that she was afraid public recognition of her sexuality would hurt the ABC show, even if her coworkers on Good Morning America knew about it before she came out in 2013.
“It’s not the Robin Roberts Show; it’s Good Morning America, and the success of our show benefits a great number of people’s livelihoods,” she declared.
“Therefore, they suffer if I do something that harms the show.”
Roberts clarified, saying she “would walk down the street with Amber, and if somebody saw us, I would introduce her,” adding that she “wasn’t trying to hide” her sexual orientation or her marriage to Amber Laign.
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However, she wasn’t at all prepared to “fully” come out at that point. The GMA co-host continued by saying that her faith was a contributing factor in her reluctance to come out.
“I was afraid,” she said. “People think you can’t be gay and a Christian, and I am. I am. I was so fearful that I would be shunned.”
Roberts said that she was taken aback by how “fully supportive” the National Office of the Presbyterian Church was when she came out and received “a beautiful letter” from them.
She remarked, “I think about all the years I wasted worrying—needless worry.” And for this, we’re all accountable. Consider all the things we worry about but which never materialize and we basically devote all of our effort to that,” Roberts went on.
“This was the appropriate moment for me in my life. It was satisfying. I also find it hard to believe that people do not already know everything about me and you know what else makes it feel so liberating? Like, “Bring it on.” You are fully aware of who I am. Furthermore, I have nothing to hide. I am fortunate and greatly favored to still be embraced and for that, I am really grateful”.
After dating for eighteen years, Roberts and Laign got married in September 2023.
