Early Life: Who is Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen, born on June 2, 1968, had a happy childhood with his parents, Evelyn and Lou Cohen, and his sister, Emily. He grew up with Jewish beliefs. But as he entered his teenage years, he began to realize something about himself. When he was around 12 or 13 years old, he started to understand his own sexuality. It wasn’t easy for him, though. These feelings became clear to him in the men’s locker room at his dad’s tennis club. Instead of being a moment of self-discovery, it was a challenging time for him.
During the 1980s, society didn’t accept LGBTQ+ people, and this made Andy’s journey even harder. He was afraid to be open about who he was because of the stigma surrounding being gay. The HIV/AIDS epidemic was also a terrifying reality for him and many others in the LGBTQ+ community.
In an interview with Oprah Daily, Andy shared his feelings at the time, saying, “I thought – If I’m gay, I’m gonna die. My friends were all constantly saying hurtful words, and they said it on TV all the time—it was not shocking. I would kind of shut down when I’d hear it; I just didn’t think my friends and family would accept me.”
Fortunately, when he went to Boston University for college, he began to feel more comfortable with who he was. He came out to his close friends and family when he was 20 years old. His mom even got involved in an AIDS charity because she wanted to support the LGBTQ+ community. This was a turning point in his life.
Andy Cohen’s Career and Identity
Despite the challenges of the 1980s AIDS epidemic, Andy Cohen joined the New York Pride Parade to show his self-acceptance. When he started working as an intern at CBS, he still kept his true self hidden to protect his career.
However, as time passed and society began to change, Andy found the courage to be himself. Ellen Degeneres’ coming out in 1997 was a significant moment in television history. Even though her show was canceled afterward, her determination to start fresh made her a role model for many in the LGBTQ+ community. Andy was working on shows like ‘The Early Show,’ ‘CBS This Morning,’ and ’48 Hours,’ all while keeping his true identity a secret. But after witnessing micro-aggressions against openly gay celebrities, he finally came out to his colleagues.
With a successful career as a TV show host, Andy Cohen became famous for hosting “The Real Housewives” series. His quick wit and engaging interviews made him a household name. However, it was during the Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion in 2009 that he made a spontaneous decision to reveal his true self to the nation.
“At the time, it was kind of a big deal because I hadn’t come out publicly on TV. This was way before Watch What Happens Live, and I guess I had never said it. Weirdly, that was kind of my ‘public’ coming out.”
Are Andy Cohen And Anderson Cooper a Couple?
Andy Cohen’s journey also led him to form a close friendship with another openly gay host, Anderson Cooper. Despite rumors and speculations, both have maintained that they are not in a romantic relationship. However, their friendship has become a part of LGBTQ+ pop culture history.
Who Does Andy Cohen Have a Child With?
Andy Cohen made history once again by becoming a single gay father. He welcomed his first child, Benjamin Allen, via surrogacy, and later Lucy Eve Cohen. His best-selling book, “The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up,” tells the story of his journey as a single father and represents the experiences of gay parents.
Andy Cohen’s story is inspiring, showing us that it’s essential to be true to ourselves, no matter the challenges we face. Have you heard of other courageous coming-out stories that have inspired you? What are your thoughts on Andy Cohen? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
