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‘GMA’ anchor Robin Roberts publicly acknowledges she’s gay

Posted at 5:19 PM, Dec 29, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-29 19:19:10-05
'GMA' host Robin Roberts at the Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection in 2010. Image Courtesy of Heart Truth via MGN Online.

‘GMA’ host Robin Roberts at the Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection in 2010. Image Courtesy of Heart Truth via MGN Online.

By Alan Duke

CNN

(CNN) — “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts used a Facebook post to acknowledge what friends and co-workers have long known: She’s gay.

Roberts, 53, has been very open about her health battles, but she has not previously spoken publicly about her sexuality.

In an end-of-the-year message posted on her Facebook “like” page Sunday, Roberts wrote: “I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.”

While Roberts did not give her girlfriend’s last name, People magazine identified her as Amber Laign, a licensed massage therapist from San Francisco she met through mutual friends a decade ago.

It was ABC’s Roberts whom President Barack Obama chose in May 2012 for his landmark interview to acknowledge his support for same-sex marriage.

Roberts has kept few secrets about her health. She wrote and spoke extensively about her battle with breast cancer in 2008 and again in 2012 when she underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat a rare blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome.

Sunday’s Facebook posting came on the first anniversary of the 100th day of her recovery from the transplant.

“At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy and gratitude,” she wrote. “I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health. I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life. I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together. I am grateful for the many prayers and well wishes for my recovery. I return every one of them to you 100 fold. On this last Sunday of 2013 I encourage you to reflect on what you are grateful for too.”

The-CNN-Wire
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