Robin Roberts Comes Out, Thanking Longtime Girlfriend for Helping Her Through Her Cancer

To the delight of the LGBT community, Robin Roberts has celebrate her new contract by coming out to the public.  Roberts recently spoke publicly about how her longtime girlfriend, Amber Laign, has been instrumental in helping her stay alive and healthy.

This is the first time that Roberts has publicly acknowledged the relationship with Laign. She did so Sunday on Facebook, thanking her for the blessing that she has been in her 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,” she wrote.

Laign is from San Francisco, and is a licensed marriage therapist. She has a private practice for patients recovering from injuries.   The two have been together or the last 10 years, so the relationship seems solid.

Robin recently fought off a breast cancer diagnosis in 2007.  She went into remission, but was later diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood disorder.   Her sister, Sally Ann, was the donor for her bone marrow transplant.

“Reading this comforts me and I hope the same for you,” she said on Facebook, ” ‘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.”

Roberts recently signed a multi-million dollar contract with Good Morning America.  She has been credited for making the show #1 in its time slot.

So, what do you think?  Will Robin’s revelation hurt her marketability to her audience?  Are there other African American gay celebs who are afraid to be honest with the public?  Why aren’t they?