In early May, a Minnesota news anchor shared a deeply personal story during a KARE 11 morning broadcast.
“There was a moment where I was like, ‘Oh my God, am I really going to do this?’” Jason Hackett shared with Today. “When that red light came on, my heart was beating through my chest.”
After living in what he called a “glass closet” for years, Hackett decided it was finally time to reveal his true self to his audience.
“I lived in this glass closet where my friends and coworkers knew I was gay, but never my audience,” he said. “I kept it to myself.”
The 13-year broadcast veteran said he made the decision to come out to his audience after attending a basketball game with his partner of five years.
“He had his hand on my knee, and we were obviously together and I didn’t give a damn about what people thought,” Hackett, 36, told Today.
The morning of his big announcement, Hackett could feel the knots in his stomach, but once the camera panned to him “the words started flowing.”
“Coming out to people is never easy for me. I’m so nervous right now. I’m not going to lie,” he told viewers. “This is no doubt the most people I’ve ever come out to at once. But what me … and everyone here on ‘Sunrise’ strive for, is authenticity. And I can’t preach that without being my authentic self.
“For anyone that is watching this now, who is struggling to find acceptance, or struggling with their family or friends, take it from me, a gay Black son of immigrants, the road may not be easy, I won’t lie to you and say that it is — but don’t worry, keep going,” he continued. “You’re going to make it.”
Not only did Hackett receive support from his co-anchors, but the morning anchor said he has since received messages from all around the world.
“I know what it feels like to think, ‘I’m never going to find acceptance. I have to change who I am or I’m going to have to hide forever,” he said. “Know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Live freely and love openly and be proud of who you are. It really does get better.”
What Jason did is so incredibly brave, I hope he knows how many people he’s inspired.
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