A Minnesota news anchor came out on air and people can't help but commend his bravery.
James Hackett stunned audiences as he revealed a bit of personal news while delivering the usual morning news on the Minneapolis-based station Kare 11.
Explaining that he wanted to strive to live an "authentic" life, and he could only do so by being open with everyone - including his Jamaican parents - about an important part of it, he went on to make perhaps the bravest announcement anyone could do so.
"For people that really know me – my friends, my coworkers, some members of my family – this isn’t some huge surprise. I’ve been living in a glass closet for the most part," he starts.
Watch the announcement below:"But now I wanted to let you out there, the viewers out there that wake up with me every morning, to know a little bit more about me. Coming out to new people is never easy for me, I am so nervous right now, I’m not going to lie. This is no doubt the most people I’ve ever come out to at once," he continues before going on to state that he has to follow through on his beliefs about "authenticity."
"But what me... and everyone here on ‘Sunrise’ strive for, is authenticity. And I can’t preach that without being my authentic self.
"For anyone that is watching this now, who is struggling to find acceptance, or struggling with their family or friends, take it from me, a gay Black son of immigrants," he says. "The road may not be easy, I won’t lie to you and say that it is - but don’t worry, keep going.
"You’re going to make it," he concludes.
Hackett’s co-anchor Alicia Lewis was visibly emotional while meteorologist John Zeigler, gestured to an "out of body" experience while listening to Hackett take this massive step in his life and career.
“I’m so proud of you,” Zeigler said.
You can see the happiness on Hackett's face as he then turns to Lewis and says: "Don't cry, don't do it... because I'm going to start crying."
"This was so hard for you," she says. "And I'm so proud of you and we love you so much."
The pair then held hands as they bonded over this special moment.
Speaking to TODAY in an interview after his announcement, the news anchor said he left the studio feeling "100 pounds lighter."
"A huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders,” Hackett told the outlet. "I was so relieved. It feels like gay people are constantly coming out to new people — you come out to your barber, and your butcher — and it’s scary every single time. Now that I’ve come out to the entire world, I don’t have to worry anymore."
In the wake of the moment, Hackett revealed he had been getting so many messages of support but noted a lot of it came from people of Caribbean descent who can relate to his experiences.
“The first time I came out was to my mom when I was 19, and then we didn’t talk about it for a while. I think she was hoping it was a phase and that I just hadn’t found the right girl yet,” Hackett revealed, adding that Jamaica was not a "LGBTQ+ friendly" place. “A few years later, I came out again. I wrote them a letter, and that didn’t go over too well. I should have had a face-to-face conversation, but I was scared.”
The third time Hackett came out to his parents was with a picture of his boyfriend.
“That’s when it really set in for them,” Hackett says.
Though his parents have not yet met his partner, he has not lost hope.
"I’m not mad at my parents, and I don’t blame my parents. I know it’s tough,” he adds. "Things are starting to get a little better. My mom isn’t in a place of full acceptance, but there’s never been any doubt that my parents love me."
