Jason Hackett, a news anchor on Minnesota's KARE 11, publicly came out this month, using the last portion of a morning segment to nervously reveal that he will be on this month's cover of Lavender magazine, a local LGBTQ+ publication.
In doing so, the TV news anchor crossed a personal and professional threshold. Though Hackett had been out to friends and family for years, he kept his professional identity separate until his announcement at KARE 11, Minneapolis’ NBC affiliate.
Despite a perception that the TV news industry is gay-friendly, Hackett noted in his coming-out message that many anchors and reporters remain in a “glass closet”—out in real life, but not on TV.
He said:
“I am so nervous right now—not gonna lie. This is no doubt the most people I’ve ever come out to at once. But what me and Alicia and John and CeCe and everyone here Sunrise strives for is authenticity. And I can’t preach that without being my authentic self.”
In the interview in Lavender magazine, Hackett explained further what it meant to him to come out at work. Hackett, whose parents are Jamaican immigrants, was aware of his sexuality from a young age but hesitated to tell his parents due to their conservative backgrounds.
He found the courage to come out during college, and though his mom isn’t yet fully accepting, she remains supportive. Hackett’s journey through conservative markets like Panama Beach, Cedar Rapids, West Palm Beach, and Oklahoma City kept his orientation private until his recent announcement in Minneapolis.
He concluded his on-air coming out with a message to others:
“For anyone who is watching this now and struggling to find acceptance or struggling with their family or their friends, take it from me, a gay Black son of immigrants. 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.”
KARE 11's Jason Hackett shares his coming out storywww.youtube.com
People were so proud of his brave action.
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@marcussjamess/YouTube
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They praised his authenticity.
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People also approved of KARE 11 allowing him the time to do this.
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@jrpez60/YouTube
Some were ... happy-sad.
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Others wished him a happy birthday, and more congratulations.
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Hackett is the cover feature of Lavender this month.
@jessicachastain/Instagram
