In a candid and unscripted moment, Ohio news anchor Taylor Bruck made a significant announcement during a live broadcast on Spectrum News 1 Ohio. While discussing her travel plans with co-anchor Alexa Maslowski, Bruck casually mentioned her girlfriend, singer-songwriter Lauren Lanzaretta, on November 26. This revelation marks another instance of a news anchor coming out on air, contributing to the growing trend of LGBTQ+ representation in the media landscape.
For Bruck, this spontaneous decision to come out on air was not premeditated but rather a genuine expression of her identity. She shared with People magazine, “I told myself, ‘Just say it’. When I finally said it out loud, I smiled inside because it was a big moment for me.” Bruck’s straightforward approach reflects a broader shift in the industry towards more inclusive and authentic reporting.
Acknowledging her newfound visibility as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Bruck humbly stated, “I’m just being myself: a journalist and a news anchor who loves her job and happens to be gay.” Her openness has resonated with audiences and peers alike, as she received an outpouring of support on social media.
Taking to Instagram after her People interview, Bruck expressed her astonishment at the overwhelming support she received. She emphasized that her coming out was not planned, saying, “I didn’t even mean to come out on air… I just finally said the word girlfriend instead of avoiding it like I had been.” Bruck also highlighted the importance of visibility by mentioning other queer journalists who have similarly shared their truths.
As news anchors like Taylor Bruck continue to come out on air, they contribute to a more inclusive media landscape where LGBTQ+ individuals can see themselves represented, and where, hopefully, coming out will someday cease to be a noteworthy event, becoming just another facet of one’s authentic self. This trend exemplifies the evolving cultural shifts that are reshaping newsrooms and society as a whole.