Anderson Cooper Responds To Anti-Gay Evangelist's Claims In 'Ridiculist' Segment

Anderson Cooper Has A Brilliant Suggestion For This Anti-Gay Evangelist

Anderson Cooper minced few words when it came to a right-wing evangelist's scathing Op-Ed which slammed the CNN anchor for "boasting" about his homosexuality.

Cooper addressed Larry Tomczak's Jan. 8 Christian Post Op-Ed titled, "Are You Aware of the Avalanche of Gay Programming Assaulting Your Home?" in a Jan. 19 "Ridiculist" segment.

Saying he didn't know what a "gay lifestyle" is, Cooper said he watched "I Love Lucy," which is one of the "wholesome" television shows that Tomczak suggests parents let their children watch in lieu of "Modern Family," "Glee" and other programs which promote a "gay agenda."

"Those were the good old days when gay people could be arrested for going to a bar or fired from their jobs -- which, actually, they still can in many states -- and live life largely in the shadows," Cooper observed. "Good times."

Cooper then made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion to Tomczak, advising he watch the controversial TLC special, "My Husband's Not Gay."

"The point is, gay people are more visible today," Cooper noted. "I'm not sure turning back the clock or the TV dial is the solution."

In his Op-Ed, Tomczak, whose opposition to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is well-established, blasted Cooper for "[boasting] openly on TV he'd rather 'have sex' with a man."

Cooper's remarks follow those of Ellen DeGeneres, who uncharacteristically responded to Tomczak's claims in an installment of her talk show last week.

"The only way I'm trying to influence people is to be more kind and compassionate with one another," DeGeneres said at the time.

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