Watch: NBC makes history with first out gay network news anchor

PinkNews logo with white background and rainbow corners

NBC News made history last night, as out gay presenter Thomas Roberts took to chair the Nightly News.

In doing so, and with an audience of millions, Roberts made history as the first out gay anchor of an evening news programme on a major TV network.

The MSNBC host came out as gay in 2006, and recently dropped out as host of the Miss USA pageant following controversial comments made by owner Donald Trump.

During last night’s programme, Roberts’ lead story was about Trump, who insulted the war record of Senator John McCain.

A long-time outspoken advocate of LGBT rights, Roberts in 2013 took aim at Russia over its anti-gay law, saying it was a “dark time” for the country.

Speaking to the Advocate, Roberts simply said it was a “huge honour” to be selected as the anchor for NBC.

The MSNBC host previously worked for CNN.

Watch the broadcast below