Robin Roberts, the longtime Good Morning America anchor, recently opened up about the deep fears she once had about coming out publicly. 

During a candid conversation on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Roberts revealed that, despite her colleagues knowing about her sexuality, 

she worried that publicly embracing her truth could negatively impact the ABC morning show and her career.

Her concerns weren’t just about the show’s success; they were also rooted in her religious beliefs. 

The 63-year-old journalist shared that she once feared being shunned because of the widespread misconception that one cannot be both gay and a Christian. 

However, in hindsight, Roberts now sees that she spent years worrying unnecessarily.

Fear of Hurting Good Morning America

Roberts has been a co-anchor on Good Morning America since 2005, and over the years, she has become one of the most respected figures in television. However, for a long time, she wrestled with the decision of whether to come out publicly, fearing that it could have unintended consequences for the show and the people who worked on it.

“It’s not the Robin Roberts Show, it’s Good Morning America,” she explained. “And there are so many people whose livelihoods depend on the success of our show. So, if I do something that hurts the show, that hurts them.”

Despite this fear, Roberts never hid her relationship with Amber Laign, her longtime partner. If she and Laign were seen together in public, Roberts had no problem introducing her. Still, she wasn’t quite ready to make a formal public declaration at that time.

Religion and the Fear of Being Shunned

While her concerns about the show played a role in her decision to wait, Roberts admitted that a significant part of her hesitation stemmed from her Christian faith.

“I was afraid,” she said. “People, they think you can’t be gay and a Christian, and I am. I am. I was so fearful that I would be shunned.”

The belief that faith and sexuality cannot coexist weighed heavily on Roberts for years. She feared rejection from her religious community and worried about the potential backlash she might face from those who believed that being LGBTQ+ was incompatible with Christianity.

A Letter That Changed Everything

Despite her fears, Roberts finally decided to come out publicly in 2013. To her surprise, she received a heartfelt letter from the National Office of the Presbyterian Church, offering full support. The gesture reassured her that her faith and identity were not at odds.

“I received a beautiful letter from the National Office of the Presbyterian Church after I announced about Amber, fully supportive,” Roberts shared. “And I think about all those years I wasted, worried—needless worry.”

Looking back, she regrets spending so much time fearing rejection that never actually came. She now encourages others to recognize how much energy can be wasted worrying about things that may never happen.

“And we all are guilty of this,” she reflected. “Think about all these things that we worry about that never come to fruition. And we just spend all of this energy on that.”

Coming Out at the Right Time

Though she wishes she hadn’t spent years worrying, Roberts believes that everything happened when it was meant to.

“I had to believe this was right on time,” she said. “This was the time in my life that was right. It felt good.”

Since coming out, Roberts has felt an overwhelming sense of freedom. She no longer has to hide any part of herself and finds it empowering to live openly and authentically.

“And I can’t even imagine now people not knowing everything about me,” she said. “And you know what’s so freeing about it also? It’s like, ‘Bring it on. You know everything about me. And I have nothing to hide.’”

She added that she has been met with nothing but love and acceptance, which she considers one of the biggest blessings of her life.

“To still be embraced, I am blessed and highly favored. And I’m so grateful.”

A Love That Stood the Test of Time

Roberts and Laign had been together for 18 years before they tied the knot in September 2023. Their long-lasting relationship has been built on trust, love, and mutual support—especially during difficult times, such as Laign’s battle with breast cancer in 2021.

Now, Roberts is enjoying life as a married woman and celebrating the joy that comes from embracing her truth. She hopes that by sharing her journey, she can inspire others who may be struggling with similar fears.

Her story serves as a reminder that love and faith are not mutually exclusive, and that living authentically can lead to true happiness and fulfillment.

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