NLGJA's Headlines and Headliners 2011

Ann Curry, Sam Champion, Bill Ritter, Sade Baderinwa and Thomas Roberts

Attended the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association's (NLGJA) 16th annual New York benefit on Thursday, which is always my favorite event of the year. (I first attended in 1999 when I was also invited to the after-dinner, where I met Tina Brown, Harry Evans, Ed Koch and Michael Huffington -- with his boy-toy du jour -- then lucked out and was seated next to Jane Pauley. I've also blogged about the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 events.) This year's gala was hosted by MSNBC's Thomas Roberts and, like last year, was held at the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams store in SoHo. (Those two do so much for LGBT causes -- and make beautiful leather sofas, like mine!) The party is great because not only are two young journalists awarded scholarships, you also get to catch up on all the latest industry -- and personal -- gossip with all your fellow LGBT colleagues, as a bunch of bold-faced names wandering around amongst us! Here are some photo highlights:

Host Thomas Roberts and partner Patrick Abner

Michelangelo Signorile, human rights advocate Ashley Love and Andy Towle

With Kevin Hauswirth and Sade Baderinwa, whom I cross-examined about Charles Perez's memoir (She was a doll -- no wonder even HE liked her -- and didn't have a mean word to say about anyone)

Christine Quinn, Mitchell Gold and Thomas Roberts

Jane Velez-Mitchell and friends

Javi Morgado and Jesse Rodriguez

With new friends

My pals Jim Key and Derrick Shore (far left and right) with Javi Morgado, Ashley Love and friend

With Dan Mathews of PETA, whom I mistook for Matthew Modine (It was only when I got home and saw his business card did it make sense why he seemed to have NO IDEA what I was talking about -- oops!)

If Erin Moriarty DIDN'T want to hear me gush all night about how much I LOVE "48 Hours," then she shouldn't have set foot in the joint!

Blandon Belushin, Maurice Michaane, Joseph Hassan, blogger Totally Tyler and Eric Hegedus

I spy Jason Belini, Linda Mason of CBS, and Erin Moriarty

Patrick Abner, Erica Hill and Thomas Roberts

Not all journalists only have a face for radio ...

continued ...

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David Steinberg and Thomas Roberts award Sharyn Jackson the Leroy F. Aarons scholarship

Mitchell Gold

(Professional photos via NLGJA & Michael Williams/Everett Collection)

Thomas Roberts' Greatest Hits

With the news of hunky gay anchor Thomas Roberts' departure from CNN Headline News, I thought it only right to post a "best of" collection from his five years on the network. The executive president of CNN said in a memo that Roberts plans to settle in the Washington, D.C., area. We'll miss you on TV, Thomas, but I can hardly wait to hear the reports from my friends at JR's ...

Related: Anderson Cooper Drills Thomas Roberts

UPDATE: The Best of Thomas Roberts (Shirtless, of course)

Is Thomas Roberts 'Will' to Tori Spelling's 'Grace'?

The buzz has already begun that Tori Spelling's development deal for a talk show on ABC is in jeopardy due to her "poor health" and "low weight," but I have new details from behind the daytime drama, including a proposed onscreen pairing with anchorman Thomas Roberts. (FYI: Thomas cornered me the other night -- three years after the fact -- in a bar/restaurant in Chelsea to "discuss" you-know-what, and while I won't go into what he said to me right now, other than his acknowledging the photos were of him -- um, I know -- let's just say I get the feeling that he might be "related" to Kelly Killoren Bensimon. The whole thing was so bizarre, in fact, that my friend Jay texted me the following morning: "I cannot believe I had to leave so quickly after your Thomas Roberts 'Housewives' reunion moment. ... I kept waiting for Andy Cohen to pop up with a fistful of cards and start reading blog reader questions.)

My sources tell me that Tori was slated to be a guest host on "The View" back on June 14 as part of ABC's efforts to get the audience used to her as a talk show host. But if you check her tweets leading up to that scheduled appearance, you will see that she "took sick" on Monday night, and ultimately did not show up. I'm told that Tori never bothered calling the ABC executives -- the word is that getting her out of bed before 1 p.m. is frequently a challenge in and of itself -- leaving them to instead follow the tweets, wisely lining up a backup. (Kassie DePaiva was called in at the Eleventh Hour to fill her shoes.) Meantime, Thomas Roberts is said to have been tapped as a potential sidekick for this "Will & Grace" type chat show, in part because he's gay and "straight acting" (whatever that means), but, as my source put it, "just devoid of enough personality so as not to steal the spotlight" from Candy's little girl. You may recall that ABC put Roberts on "The View" last week as part of a male-themed week of fill-ins. I'm told this too was part of a plan to try him out in the talk show format. I'm also hearing that they deliberately arranged that controversial "hot topic" -- about gays donating blood -- so he could, in essence, "come out" again, this time to the daytime audience so ABC could gauge Peoria's reaction. (Several friends have commented on how awkward the whole exchange was.)

Admittedly, Donna Martin was able to overcome many obstacles at West Beverly before she finally graduated. But even if Tori pulls herself together long enough to get this show off the ground, does this sound like something anyone would watch? With three best-selling memoirs and a long-running reality show under her belt, it sounds like ABC is betting the answer is yes.

CNN's Thomas Roberts Speaks Out

So after only being able to watch the Thomas Roberts interview on Anderson Cooper with the sound off at work (the closed captioning was on, but I was having a hard time reading it -- work always gets in the way of my TV viewing) and then receiving a bunch of e-mails and blog comments about it, I finally was able to watch it in its entirety last night.

Besides being his usual adorable self, I thought Roberts was well-spoken and did a great job conveying the damage this violation had done to him all these years later. Many of you expressed your greatest sympathy for his fellow victim, Michael Goles, who was dismissed as a liar when he came forward about a decade before Roberts spoke up. In a perfect world it would have been great if Roberts had been able to come forward and back Goles, but I did think it was understandable that Thomas was in self-preservation mode and wasn't ready to deal with the inevitable fallout. The fact that Goles' homosexuality was discussed at length yet Roberts' wasn't brought up at all rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Some suggested it would have put Anderson "I don't talk about my sexuality" Cooper in an awkward position had he brought it up, while others thought it was better left out for fear of the "He's gay because he was molested" fallacy rearing its ugly head.

Several people -- albeit scared that they would be accused of blaming the victim here -- expressed confusion as to why Roberts would continue to voluntarily visit Father Jeff each week when, as he put it, "you just knew something was going to happen each time." Michael, for one, said that by the time he'd reached high school he "knew what was going on" and he couldn't see knowingly putting himself in a position for more. (The abuse went on well into Roberts' senior year in high school, and early college, by some accounts.) Two -- yes, two -- gay friends of mine confessed to aggressively pursuing their priests as teens ("I was young and horny and he was the only gay guy I knew of") and couldn't help but wonder if things were more consensual than what was being admitted, while conceding that it would still be immoral and illegal on the priests' behalf, not the victims. ("There is something -- however unconscious -- about returning for more that ... implies a certain level of consent.")

I tend to agree with the commenter who said that it is unwise to second-guess a distraught teenager who is already going through a rough time (in Roberts' case his parents' divorce) who is then burdened with another breach in trust, although I will admit that I was also a little surprised to hear that this hadn't occurred when he was 8 or 9. I, like another person who wrote, am grateful that I cannot begin to understand what it's like to go through something like this, so far be it for me to judge someone who has.

Read some comments here. Let me know what you thought of the interview.

Jackhole of the Week: Thomas Roberts

MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts Takes Over 

Miss Universe After Andy Cohen Bows Out 

By now you've surely heard Thomas Roberts' flimsy explanation for why he's stepping into Andy Cohen's wisely vacated shoes to host the Miss Universe pageant in Russia. (And which is worse, Putin's dangerously anti-gay laws or accepting a paycheck from Donald Trump?)

James St. James dissected this misguided move beautifully. Now see if you can spot the exact moment when the World of Wonder scribe made me do a spit-take! 

St. James writes:

Roberts says: "I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay.” 

HUH? How does that work again? As a gay man you are going to go to Russia to… teach ‘em a lesson? Are you also going to eat Barilla pasta with Maggie Gallagher? Will that help change the world? I think I’ve lost all respect for Thomas Roberts. He’s like a scab laborer who crosses the picket line to work. He’s like Stevie Wonder playing in Sun City. He’s like Hilary Swank singing Happy Birthday to Chechnyan dictator Ramzan Kadyrov. He’s like Sandy Duncan replacing Valerie Harper on Valerie’s Family. (Anybody? Anybody?). As a gay man, you need to stand tall, and just say no. I will not be watching the Miss Universe pageant this year. I’ll wait for Andy to be back next year, when they should have it in P-Town or Fire Island. Or WeHo. Or SOMEWHERE gay-friendly. After all, we’re the only ones who watch.

Love you, James!

The Best of Thomas Roberts

Surely no "best of" send-off of CNN Headline News anchor Thomas Roberts is complete without a beefcake shot. Why didn't he read the news shirtless? I'm sure his ratings would have gone through the roof.

Anderson Cooper Drills Thomas Roberts

Headlines & Headliners

Sunday Worship: Thomas Roberts

Doubting Thomas

Why Thomas Roberts Is Dead Wrong 

On Hosting Miss Universe

This is an update to THIS post:, which garnered the most hilarious comment ever: 

"Somewhere in Siberia, there's a gay kid being gang raped while the police stand by and laugh. But he has hope because Thomas Roberts is hosting the Miss Universe Pageant."

Given my checkered history with Mr. Roberts, I deliberately did not weigh in on this Miss Universe situation any further, letting James St. James' (hilarious and pointed) takedown speak for me. But my friend Matthew Rettenmund does a brilliant job of thoroughly explaining just how misguided Roberts is -- especially after the MSNBC anchor sent out a "self-important" tweet over the weekend -- so I thought I would bring it to your attention: 

There is so much wrong here, one almost doesn't know where to begin, but something that is crystal clear is that Thomas Roberts is no deep thinker ... 

Read Matt's post HERE.

Kelly Ripa, Thomas Roberts Honored at 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York

Didn't make it to this year's awards -- was helping Towleroad's Andy Towle and Michael Goff celebrate a couple of milestones up on a roof in Brooklyn -- but congrats to all the winners.

From a news release:

GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, honored Kelly Ripa, Thomas Roberts, and the best in film, television, and journalism at the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Waldorf Astoria New York on Saturday. Anderson Cooper, Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Laverne Cox, Rupert Friend, Lynda Carter, Ross Mathews, Jussie Smollett, Jonathan Groff, Tituss Burgess, Michael Sam, Jason Collins, Janet Mock, Andreja Pejić, and Dascha Polanco were among the special guests. 

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories from the LGBT community and issues that build support for acceptance.

At the ceremony, Anderson Cooper presented Kelly Ripa with GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, which is presented to media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

In her acceptance speech Ripa said, "I celebrated my 19th wedding anniversary last week and as I was trying to come up with something impactful to say tonight, I couldn't help but think of all of the people in this country and across the globe who have been denied the joy that I have known for 19 years […] The Supreme Court is in the midst of making some big decisions deciding the fate of marriage equality throughout this country. But it must not end there. Equality means equality across the board. We must not allow discrimination to be rebranded and used against people in other facets of society including housing, employment, and education. Like everybody in this room, I watch hoping and trusting that it will move the nation towards the same type of acceptance that my own children are growing up with here in New York City."

Also at the event, Lynda Carter presented MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts with the Vito Russo Award. The Vito Russo Award is named after one of GLAAD's co-founders and the author of The Celluloid Closet. The award is presented to an out lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community. 

In accepting the award Roberts said, "I thank my MSNBC and NBC family for encouraging me to be the best me, giving me a place to be a broadcaster and journalist covering LGBT issues with vigor, passion, and respect for all views. GLAAD you are the big brother and big sister that we all need. Let's hear it for GLAAD because their resolve and their mission is unparalleled. I dream of a day that GLAAD's work is done, but lgbtq-phobias and discrimination still exist domestically and internationally and we need to continue to ask our straight allies to stand with us as the LGBT community continues to break stereotypes everywhere from classroom leaders, to pro sports, political leaders, and yes, people who report the news. And that is why coming out is so empowering. For those of us with the privilege to work in media our viewers and listeners deserve to know who we really are because there is nothing to be ashamed of when this is your truth."

Jussie Smollett from FOX's Empire presented the award for Outstanding Talk Show Episode to HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver for an episode featuring Ugandan transgender activist Pepe Julian Onziema. Onziema accepted the award on behalf of the show.

Jeffrey Tambor and Judith Light, stars of Transparent, this year's GLAAD Media Award recipient for Outstanding Comedy Series, presented the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment to MSNBC Livefor the segment "Fired for Being Gay?" Accepting for MSNBC Live were anchor Craig Melvin and Latta, S.C. Police Chief Crystal Moore, who was featured in the piece.

The full list of winners can be found HERE.

 This did cross my mind, not to mention the fact that the Vito Russo Award should probably go to someone as a lifetime achievement. (Edie Windsor, maybe?) These things are fundraisers, though, so can't fault GLAAD for doing what they need to do to sell tickets.

Anderson Cooper Drills Thomas Roberts

No, nothing like that, silly. After years of secrecy and shame, Thomas Roberts of CNN Headline News fame sits down with fellow gay anchor Anderson Cooper to share his heart-wrenching story of being sexually molested by a priest in the late 1980s. Roberts' ordeal began after his mother asked Father Jeff Toohey to counsel her teenage son, who was struggling with his parents' divorce and questions about his sexuality. After counseling sessions, Roberts often spent the night at the priest's home. "Each time he went to Father Toohey's house for counseling, it ended with something sexual," the prosecutor told the judge. A journal that Roberts began keeping in 1988 -- which I would give my right arm to get a copy of and turned over to police this year -- included 28 entries of sexual contact with Toohey, continuing until the teenager graduated from Calvert Hall, the prosecutor said. (Source)

"I became a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 14; the abuse lasted three years. It took me nearly 20 years to gather the strength to help put my abuser behind bars. Now, a year after 'justice' was done, I am ready to tell my story publicly in ways I never have before. My abuser was Father Jeff Toohey, a trusted man of God. He was the equivalent of a religious celebrity in my private all-boys Catholic school in Baltimore, Maryland. Father Jeff was every boy's friend and mentor. I considered him my mentor as well. When my parents divorced, I was sent to Father Jeff to help me cope with all the changes. Divorce in the mid-1980s still seemed so foreign. Plus, I was just a kid, and I didn't know much about divorce. I just knew it sucked. All I had at that time in my life was my family and school. Those were my constants. But as my family fell apart, so did my life at school. After the abuse began, high school became a prison of shame and lies." (CNN)
"Sins of the Father" airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360."

O Cum, All Ye Faithful

Thomas Roberts on His Russia Trip: 'Have a Little More Faith in Me' 

In this exclusive interview, Thomas Roberts says he's 'dismayed' by the vocal criticism of his decision to host the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow. 

Haven't had time to read Thomas Roberts' Russia rebuttal. Was too busy teaching Chick-fil-A a lesson by eating one of their tasty spicy chicken sandwiches

P. S.  Do NOT even think of criticizing me for this -- I refuse to give up my place at the (fast-food) table.

Headline News: Thomas Roberts Shirtless!

Although I've seen the hunky CNN anchor Thomas Roberts at a pool party or two in my day, I've never had my yellow underwater camera handy. Luckily, those frisky boys at OhLaLaParis did ...

Previous anchor lust:

Sunday Worship: Thomas Roberts

Rob Marciano: He's No Sam Champion

Hangin' With Mr. Cooper

Thomas Roberts: A Lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

Page Six reports that MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts got booted from former Intrepid Museum president Bill White and Bryan Eure's wedding reception at the Four Seasons on Sunday for "causing a commotion" during a performance by Aretha Franklin and then "arguing with security." (Note to Logo: Aretha at your wedding reception? Now that's A-list!) Roberts doesn't deny the incident -- “It was a beautiful affair. I over-celebrated and I regret it,” he told The Post -- but given the fact that the Diva of Detroit insisted that the room be a toasty 86 degrees before she went on stage, she's lucky the entire crowd didn't get more restless. (You don't wanna be around me when my hair starts to go flat!)

Sunday Worship: Thomas Roberts

Suited-up or on-air or shirtless at Marc and Barry's pool party. It works either way ...

I've always had a thing for news anchors — and CNN Headline News' Thomas Roberts is one of the reasons why. He can make even the worst news look, uh, I mean sound good.

I met Thomas at a party over the summer in the Hamptons and let me tell you that he's as nice as he is handsome.