Michelle Obama to newly out TV host: ‘You continue to make us all proud’

Dec 30 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

The US First Lady Michelle Obama has tweeted her support for a TV host who publicly revealed that she is gay this week.

Robin Roberts, co-host of Good Morning America – the country’s most watched morning news programme – today acknowledged publicly for the first time her long-standing relationship with a woman.

Michelle Obama tweeted from the official First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) account today to congratulate Roberts on coming out.

The tweet, which was signed “mo”, noting that the tweet was written by Michelle Obama and not one of her staff, was strongly supportive. According to reports it was sent from Hawaii where the First Family spends its holidays.

.@RobinRoberts, I am so happy for you and Amber! You continue to make us all proud. -mo

— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) December 30, 2013

Roberts is a household name in the US, having co-anchored ABC’s Good Morning America since 2005.

She began her career in 1983 as a sports anchor and reporter in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Born in Alabama, Roberts grew up in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where she played basketball and tennis at college before embarking full-time into broadcasting.

She came out in a Facebook post about overcoming a long-term illness and at the end acknowledged her same-sex partner for her support.

It was Roberts whom President Barack Obama chose in May 2012 for his landmark interview to acknowledge his support for equal marriage.