People have been asking is Don Lemon gay for years, but the answer isn't a secret or some internet rumor. He's been out and proud for a long time. Honestly, in the world of cable news where everything feels scripted and polished, Lemon’s decision to come out back in 2011 was a massive deal. It wasn't just a tweet or a leaked photo. He did it on his own terms.
He wrote a book. Transparent.
In those pages, he laid it all out. He talked about his childhood in Louisiana, the struggles of being a Black man in media, and the reality of his sexuality. Back then, being an openly gay news anchor on a major network like CNN was basically unheard of. It was a career risk.
The Moment Don Lemon Came Out
When you look at the timeline, 2011 feels like a different lifetime for LGBTQ+ representation. Don Lemon was 45. He’d already spent years climbing the ladder at CNN. He’s said in various interviews, including a notable sit-down with The New York Times, that he was tired of living a double life. He felt like he was keeping a secret from his audience.
He didn’t just wake up and decide to tell the world, though. It was a process. He’d been out to his colleagues and his mother, Katherine Clark, for years. But the public? That’s a different beast.
"I think if I had seen more people like me who were out on television, it probably would have happened sooner," he once remarked. It’s that classic "see it to be it" scenario. He realized that by staying in the closet publicly, he was inadvertently contributing to the stigma he wanted to fight.
Life With Tim Malone
If you follow him on Instagram or saw him on the red carpet during his later years at CNN, you’ve definitely seen Tim Malone. They’re a fixture. Tim is a real estate agent, and the two started dating around 2016.
✨ Don't miss: Mia Khalifa New Sex Research: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With Her 2014 Career
Their relationship moved at a pace that felt very... normal. They met at a restaurant in the Hamptons. They didn't jump into the spotlight immediately. It was gradual.
Then came 2019.
It was April, right after Tim’s birthday. They got engaged in a way that involves their dogs, which is objectively adorable. Their puppies, Boomer and Barkley, wore tags that said "Daddy will you marry Papa?" It’s the kind of story that makes you realize that behind the "hard news" persona, Lemon is just a guy who loves his dogs and his partner.
They eventually tied the knot in a star-studded New York City ceremony in April 2024. The wedding was a who’s who of media and entertainment. We're talking Clive Davis, Joy Behar, and Luann de Lesseps. It wasn't just a wedding; it was a celebration of how far things have come since that 2011 book release.
Addressing the Question: Is Don Lemon Gay?
The short answer is yes. He is.
But the longer answer involves the nuance of being a "first." Lemon wasn't the first gay man on TV, but he was one of the first Black, openly gay men to hold a primetime slot on a major news network. That carries weight. It means he faced a specific type of scrutiny that his peers didn't.
🔗 Read more: Is Randy Parton Still Alive? What Really Happened to Dolly’s Brother
Every time he spoke about LGBTQ+ rights or mentioned his "fiancé" on air, it was a political act for some viewers. For others, it was just the truth.
He’s talked openly about the intersectionality of his identity. Being Black and gay isn't two separate things; it's one lived experience. In his reporting, especially during the Black Lives Matter movement and various civil rights milestones, that perspective often leaked through. Some critics hated it. They called it "bias." Lemon, however, often argued that his identity gave him a "lens of truth" that allowed him to see stories others missed.
The CNN Departure and New Chapters
When Don Lemon left CNN in 2023, the internet went wild with theories. Was it his comments about Nikki Haley? Was it "the vibe"? While his professional life hit a massive speed bump, his personal life stayed incredibly stable.
Through the firing and the subsequent launch of The Don Lemon Show on social platforms and streaming, Tim Malone has been the constant. It’s a reminder that while fame is fickle, real-life stuff—like marriage and family—tends to be what actually keeps people grounded.
He’s leaning into his identity more than ever now. Without the corporate constraints of a network like CNN (which, let's be real, can be stifling), he’s been more vocal on social media about queer issues. He’s not just a "news anchor who happens to be gay" anymore. He’s an advocate.
Why People Keep Asking
Search data shows that people still type is Don Lemon gay into Google every single day. Why?
💡 You might also like: Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper: The Affair That Nearly Broke Hollywood
Partly because people are curious about celebrities.
Partly because there’s a new generation of viewers who didn’t see the 2011 headlines.
And honestly, partly because he doesn't "fit" the stereotypical mold of a gay man that some people still hold in their heads. He’s a suit-and-tie newsman. He’s a guy from the South. He’s a veteran journalist. He proves that the LGBTQ+ community isn't a monolith.
Key Takeaways for the Curious
If you’re looking for the facts on Don Lemon’s personal life, here is the breakdown without the fluff:
- Coming Out: He officially came out in his 2011 memoir, Transparent.
- Relationship Status: He is married. He wed Tim Malone on April 6, 2024, in Manhattan.
- Advocacy: He has been a frequent recipient of honors from organizations like GLAAD and has used his platform to highlight issues affecting the Black LGBTQ+ community.
- Current Projects: Since leaving CNN, he continues to share his life and political commentary via his independent digital show, where he remains open about his marriage and personal views.
When you're trying to understand a public figure's journey, it helps to look at their own words. Lemon has never shied away from the "gay" label since 2011. He’s embraced it as a core part of who he is as a journalist and a human being.
Actionable Insights for Following Celeb News
When researching the personal lives of public figures like Don Lemon, it is easy to get lost in tabloid rumors. To get the most accurate picture, always look for primary sources.
- Check the Memoir: If a celebrity has written a book, that is their "official" record. Lemon’s Transparent is the definitive source for his early life and coming-out story.
- Verify via Social Media: Public figures often share milestones like weddings or engagements directly on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). Verified accounts are usually more reliable than "insider" gossip sites.
- Look for Recent Interviews: Context changes. A quote from 2005 might not reflect someone's life in 2026. Search for the most recent long-form interviews to see how they currently define themselves.
Don Lemon’s story is essentially one of evolution. From a kid in Baton Rouge who thought he had to hide his true self to a man getting married in front of the world’s media elite, he’s lived a very public transformation. Whether you agree with his journalism or not, his transparency about his sexuality has undoubtedly cleared a path for those coming after him in the newsroom.