Inside the insider.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sean Kennedy's profile of Thomas Roberts ["The Insider Is Out," June 17], who, I confess, I didn't know is gay. All I gathered of him was as a charming, charismatic, and thoroughly professional news anchor. In that context, it's really what distinguished him first and foremost. Yet I am taken by Roberts's willingness to open up so freely, and I thank him very much for doing so. He is a role model in more ways than one in those respects.

However, I winced at the description by Kennedy of Anderson Cooper as having an "effete, almost European vibe," as well as the speculation as to Coopers unwillingness to discuss his sexuality. In the first place, I would never in a million years have ascribed "effete" (which might be considered a demeaning insult) and "European" in any sense to Cooper; all I see is an excellent reporter and anchor (his on-site reporting of Katrina and the Brazilian rain forests won my total admiration for good). As far as Cooper's sexuality goes, I don't believe that discussing that is listed on his job description. Further, I believe Cooper has the fight to exist simply as a news anchor, as all the others do. He would have good cause to resent being pegged as the Gay News Anchor, which, predictably enough in the label-happy media of today, would possibly define him to the exclusion of his work; it would be as ridiculous as a straight news anchor being known primarily as the Straight News Anchor. Yes, double standards do exist. And yes, there is strength in numbers. But maybe there are those who don't want to be revolutionaries and poster children for a cause and would prefer to concentrate solely on their work. Being gay is not a choice, but some have made the choice not to discuss it publicly, and the right to that decision should respected.

NIEL RISHOI, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Thank you for the excellent article on Thomas Roberts. Whoever does the hiring for The Insider should have been let go (instead of Roberts), as Roberts delivered class, seriousness, and appeal to the program. What did they do instead? They brought back boozer-loser Pat O'Brien, who looks old enough to be Lara Spencer's grandfather and whose presentation is almost as annoying and off-putting as the grating Nancy O'Dell's. Now I hear they're finally putting O'Brien out to pasture and have hired Donny Osmond permanently. Can we say "milquetoast"? Obviously the powers that be seek to avoid controversy, be it from an alcoholic anchor or a gay presenter. Somebody with smarts needs to snap up Roberts pronto.

KAI GLASS, via the Internet

Earlier today I had a chance to read your extraordinary article on Thomas Roberts. I would like to thank him for his courage on speaking about such a sensitive topic; I can relate, as I have not spoken about my situation to my family (and I am 2 8 years old). He has inspired me to break the silence so I can move forward.

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NAME WITHHELD, Naperville, Ill.