http://twitter.com/#!/davidsess/status/219810324243689472

CNN’s Anderson Cooper officially, publicly came out as gay today. Most Twitter users met the news with a “big whoop” and not much surprise.

Anderson Cooper confirmed what we've all known for a while. Kudos to him.

— Joshua (@craftjoshua) July 2, 2012

Some, of course, questioned the timing!

Tell me Anderson Cooper coming out is not at all related to CNN's recent shoddy journalism and poor ratings. #JumpTheShark

— S. Thistlethwaite (@YesBiscuit) July 2, 2012

Heh.

People were offended by one thing, though; he came out in a Daily Beast article penned by Andrew “Uterine Forensic Expert” Sullivan. Why, Anderson, why?

So, Anderson Cooper just came out on Andrew Sullivan's blog?

— Seth (@srosenb) July 2, 2012

Anderson Cooper explains why he chose to publicly come out now.

Anderson Cooper on why he's coming out now: "tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible." http://t.co/AF1zQpTI

— E McMorris-Santoro (@EvanMcSan) July 2, 2012

More from The Daily Beast article.

Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.

I’ve also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand.

The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.

Some Twitter users express annoyance at the fact that “coming out” is still met with breathless gasps and excitement by some. Are we past that point?

Dear Hollywood celebrities, athletes, news people: You can stop coming "out". NO ONE CARES.

— Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) July 2, 2012

I'm not saying that Anderson Cooper has been drama-ish about it. I just think we're past that point.

— Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) July 2, 2012

Better way to honor Anderson Cooper coming out: celebrate it, or ignore it as non-news? I guess #1 for now, tho hopefully not much longer.

— Ryan McGee (@TVMcGee) July 2, 2012

Your article talking about how we should be glad that people can easily come out as gay is refuted by the fact you're still writing about it

— J.P. Freire (@JPFreire) July 2, 2012

Others, again, think it is the most non-shocking news ever and of little concern.

Finally, Anderson Cooper.

— Whitney Jefferson (@twitney) July 2, 2012

I really thought Anderson Cooper was out this whole time.

— Cinnamon Apple (@jax1125) July 2, 2012

https://twitter.com/Beechsack/status/219810961559781376

Mazeltov, Anderson Cooper, but we've known for a couple decades now. 🙂

— ¡ viva Terry ! (@shortstack81) July 2, 2012

Anderson Cooper came out, Everbody yelled Surprise….iWasnt surprised :-/

— Hoe Shut Da FCUK Up (@VidaSoCali) July 2, 2012

Anderson Cooper has finally come out. No surprise to anyone, but good for him to have the courage to be himself in the public eye!

— Josh Sánchez (@jnsanchez) July 2, 2012

Anderson Cooper: out and proud; hoping outlets will stop whispering it like some dark, secret shame he needs to hide.

— Joel (@BooDooPerson) July 2, 2012

Anderson Cooper came out of the closet. Good for him. Probably makes life a lot less stressful. Seems like a nice guy.

— Matt Staggs (@mattstaggs) July 2, 2012

Some fellow journalists still find it a huge deal and rally around to give Anderson Cooper support.

Please tell us all again about how you already knew Anderson Cooper's sexual orientation… Coming out is a very big deal. It took 45 years.

— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) July 2, 2012

"The Fact Is, I'm Gay." – @andersoncooper, http://t.co/AZiZoLcr

— Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) July 2, 2012

The Coop: "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be." Next. http://t.co/4RyeTGvo

— Nancy Scola (@nancyscola) July 2, 2012

Cooper: "I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter’s shield of privacy." http://t.co/NIfhaEeh

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 2, 2012

Anderson Cooper: "The Fact Is, I'm Gay." http://t.co/nEcS1CIc (via @thedailybeast) — really well written…

— David Ford (@ItsDavidFord) July 2, 2012

Until we can all stop planting our flags on the Kinsey spectrum, good for @andersoncooper. http://t.co/3yW5vhKW

— Megan Carpentier (@megancarpentier) July 2, 2012

Well, except for Howard Kurtz. We are just shocked that he didn’t think it was a great scoop that he uncovered!

Shocking, I know.. Anderson Cooper comes out http://t.co/0J9zUYQM

— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) July 2, 2012

Celebrities and public figures weigh in as well, of course. Pet project and all. Plus, super cool. SQUEE!

Woo hoo! @andersoncooper has just officially come out of the closet as a gay man! Details HERE: http://t.co/8jl7ArAE

— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) July 2, 2012

Amen! “@BenFinzCNN: So proud of my boss @andersoncooper, one of the hardest working people I've been given the honor to work with. Cheers!”

— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) July 2, 2012

https://twitter.com/MiaFarrow/status/219820384005001216

Yay, @AndersonCooper!!!! #StandingUp #BeingCounted

— Martha Plimpton (@MarthaPlimpton) July 2, 2012

Well put, Anderson! #Mazel

— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 2, 2012

Being gay is the new cool thing #Ineedagirlfriend

— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 2, 2012

Ok calm down. Being gay was always cool

— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 2, 2012

And still others amuse themselves with the news.

Anderson Cooper shamefully admits that he is a CNN employee.

— kept_simple (@kept_simple) July 2, 2012

Two things you've been waiting for forever – Anderson Cooper coming out & our furniture company launching – happen on same day. Coincidence?

— Chris Stout-Hazard (@stouthazard) July 2, 2012

I always knew Anderson Cooper hated kids. Kids and puppies.

— aaron brazell (@technosailor) July 2, 2012

WAIT… Anderson Cooper CAME OUT? Way to undercut my favorite backhanded diss in the WORLD, princess. #butseriouslyfinally

— Micah White (@micahwhite) July 2, 2012

So glad Anderson Cooper finally came out via email, because this means breaking up via text message is finally ok!

— Jesse Benjamin (@TheMrBenjamin) July 2, 2012

This is the most shocking news since another wife left Tom Cruise RT @BuzzFeedBen Anderson Cooper: "The fact is, I'm gay"

— Marty Beckerman (@martybeckerman) July 2, 2012

In Other News, Sky Blue, Water Wet

— Stefan Becket (@stefanjbecket) July 2, 2012

RT @trscoop: HA! Exactly –> RT @SooperMexican BREAKING: Everyone pretend you didn't know Anderson Cooper was gay.

— Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) July 2, 2012

Now, if only journalists would leave their political ideology out of journalism. Boy, that would be bombshell news!

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/07/02/cnns-anderson-cooper-comes-out-the-fact-is-im-gay/