BREAKING. ''The fact is, I'm gay,'' says Anderson Cooper of AC360 on CNN International.

"In fact, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself and proud," writes Anderson Cooper of Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN International (DStv 401) weekdays at 02:00 (South African time), revealing his sexual orientation for the first time.


The anchor of AC360 on CNN International revealed his sexual orientation, often speculated upon in the past, publicly for the first time today, in a letter to Andrew Sullivan of the news site The Daily Beast.


"I've always believed that who a reporter votes for, what religion they are, who they love, should not be something they have to discuss publicly. As long as a journalist shows fairness and honesty in his or her work, their private life shouldn't matter. I've stuck to those principles for my entire professional career, even when I've been directly asked "the gay question," which happens occasionally," Anderson Cooper writes.


"It's become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something - something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid," writes Anderson Cooper.


"In a perfect world, I don't think it's anyone else's business, but I do think there is value in standing up and being counted," writes Anderson Cooper.

BREAKING. Isha Sesay joining Ander Cooper 360 on CNN International from Monday.

Isha Sesay from Inside Africa (Saturdays at 14:00; 19:30) on CNN International (DStv 401) is joining another CNN International show, Anderson Cooper 360 from Monday as a news anchor.

Isha Sesay who joined CNN in November 2005 will still continue anchoring and doing inserts for Inside Africa as well as presenting the weekday show International Desk (Mondays to Fridays, 17:00). She now adds AC360 that runs from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 05:00 (South African time) to her work load as well.