Robin Roberts Recalls Coming Out To Family And Fans: ‘I Did It Because I Love Amber’

Robin Roberts is opening up about the first time she came out of the closet!

The media personality, best known for working as an anchor on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” recently discussed her sexuality and why she kept it hidden for so long.

During a candid conversation with PEOPLE for the outlet’s latest Pride Issue cover story, the 61-year-old TV presenter recalled the fear that plagued her before coming out and how Amber Laign, her lover, influenced this decision.

Robin Roberts Looks Back At Coming Out After Being Afraid For Years

As a news broadcaster, Roberts has the ear of numerous viewers, which is why the Alabama native is conscious of her image and public opinions.

But as a firm believer in the truth, there are some things the media personality cannot hide, like telling her loved ones about her sexuality.

Looking back at the fond memory, the former “ESPN” sportscaster revealed that she first came out to her sister Dorothy when she was in her 20s, spilling the beans while the pair enjoyed lunch.

The 61-year-old noted that the incident occurred similarly to a movie scene, explaining that she confessed to being gay when the server arrived with their lunch.

Shocked by Roberts’s revelation, the poor man “fiddled around for what felt like five minutes” before finally walking away to give the sisters their well-deserved privacy.

However, the waiter’s hilarious reaction was nothing compared to Dorothy’s take on the situation as the news anchor’s sister burst into tears and said:

” ‘I’m not crying because you’re gay. I’m crying because you love me enough to tell me.’ “

Those heartwarming words lifted a weight off the “Everybody’s Got Something” author’s shoulders as, for the longest time, the TV personality feared coming out publicly.

Although everyone in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee’s life knew she was gay, including her “family, colleagues, and bosses,” Roberts never dared to tell the world.

The Rock’n Robin Productions founder admitted she was afraid people would think she could not be a “Christian and gay.” Nevertheless, she became inspired to share her sexuality after attending a GMA colleague’s wedding.

Watching the public and ABC network support Sam Champion’s same-sex marriage to Rubem Robierb in 2012 taught the entertainer the importance of coming out.

In an ironic twist of fate, the same industry that supported LGBTQ+ members kept reporting that Roberts was gay after the Alabama native publicly came out in 2013.

Fortunately, most of the public defended the “From the Heart: Eight Rules to Live By” author, who announced her sexuality not for herself but because of Laign.

The confession happened via a social media post in honor of the “Jeopardy!” guest host’s successful bone marrow transplant, where the anchor paid tribute to her loved ones and caregivers. Recalling the sweet moment, the 61-year-old said:

“I did it because I love Amber…I was just thanking everybody. I thanked my doctors, my parents. But then, was I not going to thank this woman who had been by me through this illness?”

On the same note, the Walter Cronkite Award winner hoped her story would motivate others struggling with coming out and show them it was okay to embrace their sexuality.

The Peabody Award Winner Revealed The Impacts Of Her Partner’s Cancer Battle

The Blast previously reported that the Harlem Globetrotter honoree discussed Laign’s breast cancer battle during an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

When the show’s host inquired about her partner’s condition, Roberts confessed that she broke down whenever she thought about the massage therapist’s struggles.

As a cancer survivor, the Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner understood Laign’s pain but she could not endure watching her lover of 17 years battle the disease. In the news anchor’s words:

“I went through it twice, barely shed a tear. I’m a puddle every time I think about what Amber is going through, but she is being courageous and handling it extremely well.”

On the bright side, the “Brighter by the Day” author revealed that her significant other taught her the art of being a passionate caregiver.

The Alabama native explained that Laign helped her overcome her cancer battle with unrelated love and support, a gesture she tried to reciprocate in her partner’s hour of need.