`ET' REPORTER SAYS IT ISN'T HARD BEING OPENLY GAY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 13, 1993                   TAG: 9301130023
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 2   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: GAIL SHISTER KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
`ET' REPORTER SAYS IT ISN'T HARD BEING OPENLY GAY
Garrett Glaser, full-time correspondent for Paramount's syndicated "Entertainment Tonight" since 1989, knows plenty of gay and lesbian Hollywood types who are in the closet. He, however, is not among them.
"I'm amazed at how supportive people in the industry are," said Glaser, 39, openly gay since 1969. "I've always been out, and it hasn't hurt me so far. I've had nothing but compliments over the last year as I've become more vocal."
Glaser last week hosted the third episode of "In the Life," a syndicated gay-and-lesbian variety series seen on 24 public stations. (Funnygal Kate Clinton did the pilot and first two segments.)
Coming out as a broadcast reporter, particularly on the local level, is a lot tougher than doing it on the print side, acknowledges Glaser, a New York native with 17 years' broadcast experience.
"News types are closely identified with a station's image. Management doesn't want anybody abrasive or controversial who might alienate viewers. They want likable, soothing. They need to realize that somebody can be likable and soothing and still be gay. Slowly, it's changing."
A longtime gay activist, Glaser sometimes gets impatient with friends and colleagues who choose to "pass" as straight.
"Everybody has to reach their own decision, but I think part of the fear comes from internalized homophobia. When people come up with excuses to stay in the closet, they empower the bad guys. If they come out, they take away their weapon. Maybe I'm naive, but I think most people are supportive of gay rights."
Glaser's ultimate goal, he said, is to produce gay-and-lesbian TV programming "on a professional scale, with sponsors." His theory is that "it's only a matter of time before we see more openly gay TV programming in this country, and I want to be in the forefront."

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB