Anderson Cooper Reveals He's Gay

After years of speculation about his sexuality, Anderson Cooper has revealed that he's gay.

The 45-year-old CNN anchor came out in an email to the Daily Beast's Andrew Sullivan that was published on Sullivan's blog this morning. Cooper was responding to an Entertainment Weekly article about how gay public figures are increasingly coming out in more restrained ways than in the past.

"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," Cooper writes.

Cooper explains that he kept his sexuality private "for professional reasons" but had "begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle." Instances of gay bullying made him "believe there is value in making clear where I stand."

While Cooper doesn't go into the specifics about romantic relationships, he writes, "I am also blessed far beyond having a great career. I love, and I am loved."

He concludes his email, "I still consider myself a reserved person and I hope this doesn't mean an end to a small amount of personal space. But I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter's shield of privacy."

In addition to anchoring CNN's primetime news show "Anderson Cooper 360°," Cooper hosts a daytime talk show, "Anderson."