CNN anchor Don Lemon says he's an
“accidental role model” for gay folks.
When asked by Chicago gay weekly the
Windy
City Times if he saw himself as an activist, Lemon, who came
out gay in his recent memoir Transparent, said “no.”
“No, I don't,” Lemon answered. “I
see myself as a normal person who is an 'accidental role model.' I'm
flattered by that. When someone says, 'I can be who I am' or 'I can
be an anchorman,' I become an accidental role model. However, I
haven't counseled any youth – I'm not against it, but I just don't
have time for that right now.”
The 45-year-old Lemon also suggested
that the Bible has been used to victimize LGBT people.
“I think just about any culture that
has to deal with church can be conservative. With
[African-Americans], the church has been the backbone of society for
such a long time. We have, in many ways, been a victim of the
Scriptures and theology that have been used to keep us as slaves.
It's been ingrained [in] us, and now we use it against gay people
without thinking about things objectively.”