Anderson Cooper Discovers His s**ual Identity After Encounter with Richard Gere

In a candid conversation during the “Andy Cohen Live Pride Special” on SiriusXM's “Radio Andy,” Anderson Cooper revealed the moment he realized he was gay.

The renowned CNN host shared his story while sitting down with Cohen and actor John Hill at New York City's historic Stonewall Inn.

Cooper recalled attending the Broadway play “Bent” in the late 1970s, accompanied by photographer Paul Jasmin and Jasmin's boyfriend, who were close friends with Cooper's mother, the late fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt.

The play, starring Richard Gere, depicted the persecution of homosexuality in Nazi Germany.

As Cooper watched the opening scene, which featured a man getting out of bed n^ked and dressing in a uniform, he described it as “the gayest thing you can imagine.”

It was at that moment that he realized his own s**ual orientation.

Cooper reminisced, “Oh my God, I'm gay…

I'm totally gay.”

After the play ended, Jasmin took Cooper backstage to meet Gere, whom Cooper had also worked with on the film “American Gigolo.”

Recollecting this encounter, Cooper admitted being speechless in Gere's presence.

He had brought his playbill, intending to get an autograph, but found himself unable to take his eyes off Gere's shirtless chest.

The story came full circle for Cooper when he later interviewed Richard Gere and requested him to sign the original playbill.

Gere was amused by the tale, according to Cooper, further adding to the significance of the moment.

Cooper also shared details about coming out to his mother.

He revealed that he waited until after college to inform her about his sexuality.

Although Vanderbilt was accepting and “cool about it,” she advised him not to rush into any definitive decisions.

Cooper ultimately came out publicly in 2012.

Interestingly, during a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly and People, Vanderbilt disclosed her own experiences with same-s** relationships.

She mentioned having a “brief so-called lesbian relationship” when she was just 13 years old.

Her understanding of LGBTQ issues was influenced by the gossip surrounding her mother, who faced accusations of being a lesbian during a custody battle in 1932.

Vanderbilt emphasized that love is love, highlighting the evolving societal perspective on s**ual orientation.

Cooper's revelation about his realization and journey towards self-acceptance serves as yet another example of the complexities and diversity within the LGBTQ community.