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GMA Co-Anchor Robin Roberts Comes Out Publicly, Acknowledging Her Longtime Girlfriend!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Add Robin Roberts to the list of celebrities who in 2013 officially came out!  The Good Morning America co-anchor posted a touching message on her facebook page which was prompted by the fact that a year earlier, in 2012, she reached an important 100 day-milestone after undergoing a blood marrow transplant, and she reflected on how grateful she was for the people in her life.

Roberts wrote: “Hard to believe this was 1 year ago today..when I reached a critical milestone of 100 days post transplant…and KJ was finally allowed to come back home.  Reading this comforts me and I hope the same for you: ‘If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.’ At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy and gratitude. I am grateful to God, my doctors and nurses for my restored good health.

I am grateful for my sister, Sally-Ann, for being my donor and giving me the gift of life.  I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.  I am grateful for the many prayers and well wishes for my recovery. I return every one of them to you 100 fold. On this last Sunday of 2013 I encourage you to reflect on what you are grateful for too.  Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year. Peace, love, and blessings to all..XO”

According to an ABC spokesperson, Roberts longtime girlfriend was revealed to be Amber Laign, a massage therapist in private practice originally from the Bay Area, and noted that the two had met through mutual friends. Laign specializes in helping people recovering from injuries.

Of note is Roberts recognizing her girlfriend just days over anti-gay remarks made by Phil Robertson, of  A&E’s reality series “Duck Dynasty.”   According to Variety: During an interview with GQ, Robertson cast aspersions on people in same-sex relationships and African-Americans, prompting a suspension by the cabler’s parent, A+E Networks, and a quick reversal of the decision – drawing anger from supporters of both Robertson and the groups he offended.  As co-host of what is arguably the nation’s favorite morning program, Roberts may help fuel more discussion and debate in this latest clash of cultural values.”

It is also worth-noting that it was Roberts who interviewed President Barack Obama, when he came forth with his stance in support of  gay marriage.

What do you think Roberts coming out?  Weigh-in!

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No surprise. Have wondered for a long time why she never did. It does not make her any less a human nor does it make me less in awe of her for what she has been through and how she handled the past 18 mo of her life. If we could all take a page from her journey.

it great

I am happy for Robin. It is not surprising that she hesitated to do so. Many people will understand why she waited.

Good on her. It’s much nicer to be out when its safe and comfortable with who you (and your partner) are to each other as a family unit, particularly if part of your life is very much in the public eye. IAthough I’ve been out for nearly 20yrs it does give courage to some who haven’t or can’t be at the moment. All the best to them.

I wish Roberts good health and a good year, but I wish people’s sexual orientations would stop being news. I really don’t care who’s sleeping with whom. And while we’re at it, stop giving attention to people like Phil Robertson. Last I checked, he doesn’t speak for God.

Don’t really care. A long as she’s healthy, that’s all that matters. She’s a lovely lady – even if she does work for ABC/Disney!

YOU GO ROBIN!!!!! With all that you have been thru you should be happy along with healthy. I wish you only the best for 2014 and many more years to come.

I always felt that Robin Roberts had a mad crush on Oprah ….

I always felt Oprah has her own GAILfriend…im just joking around here!!!

She came out when she was ready. Afterall she’s been through, this isn’t a big thing to me.

I’ve always admired her nothing has changed. Well maybe it has after the Duck thing if anything I give her kudos for stepping up to the plate after the horrible things he said about people he don’t know.

I think it’s awesome!!! Happy New Year Robin and Amber!!!!!

I love Robin spirit!!

Good for her!!!

God bless her…

Robin, you are so talented. Your sexual preferences have nothing to do with how well you carry yourself. No, I am not gay but so what that you are. You do what makes you happy. Let them talk. There going to talk anyway. Be happy and live every day to the fullest.

No offense to Michael Fairman, but I long for the day when news like this isn’t even published. I’m not sure why peoples sexuality is newsworthy, and hopefully one day it won’t be and won’t even be printed.

Good point

She’s a lovely lady and am thankful she is happy and healthy and a wonderful example for many.

I am so happy for her!!! Mental health experts I read articles from, always say it’s a mental, physical and emotional burden when we keep a vital part of ourselves hidden and when we finally bring that part out to the light it’s like a rebirth of who we truly are.

Classy lady.

Who cares? And I mean that in a good way. She’s got positive energy, is a great newscaster, and is kind every day. We need more people like her in this world.

I never even thought about it ~ I just know she is excellent at her job and I watch her every morning while getting ready for work, even though other than that I do NOT watch the ABC-TV Network – I’m usually at work anyway.
Someday, “news” like this won’t even cause anyone to blink an eye.

I love robin, she is a terrific classy sassy lady. We all knew, she was a lesbian. not a surprise at all. i came out of the closet 3 years ago, now i can live my life, with no secrets and baggage. i have a wonderful boyfriend. im 24. my boyfriend is 35 and he is one hot man. lol. julian jerome is my male crush fantasy. lol. william is one hot masculine man. I JUST LOVE HIM. HE IS A WONDERFUL ACTOR. MY BOYFRIEND IS MASCULINE TOO. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

Uhh, thanks for sharing…??

Im so proud of robin, she is a nice down to earth lady. Now oprah winfrey needs to come out of the closet. i knew robin was gay, My gay dar was right. LOL.

It’s not a lifestyle I agree with, does that make me a hater, no, it’s my religious beliefs. I do not hate the person, but, I don’t agree with the lifestyle. Nor do I view Ms. Robertson in a lesser light because of my beliefs. Ms. Robertson, from all accounts, is indeed a brave and courageous person and excellent journalist….I do wish her the best and good health.

I’m happy Robin is healthy. While her sexual orientation was not “public news” many have been aware of it for years. I’m glad she has come out because it’s important for LGBT people, people of color and people in general to have role models. At the same time, I don’t think anyone has to label themselves unless that is something they want to do. Straight people don’t have to declare their sexual orientation & I believe LGBTs shouldn’t have to either.

I send best wishes for continued good health and thanks to Robin for sharing yet another part of her life with us woth much love and gratitude.

It is great that Robin can be open and honest about who she loves and who she is. Amen to a Robin. Wish her all the best. Hopefully, this will help young people in the LGBT community who are struggling or being bullied feel stronger.

I don’t get it. After Amber sticking with her through everything, why did she wait until now to acknowledge her? They followed her around with cameras through it all so why didn’t they show Amber then? Why now? Amber deserved better.

News

Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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