I love being recognizable. Maybe that’s my Southern upbringing or it’s just the intimacy of morning television because people feel like I’ve seen them in their underwear. But it comes with some responsibility, privilege — and a little influence. It also comes with a big old mirror. A reflection of how I see them. Because how they see me is how I seethem.
I like being a storyteller. That’s the reason why I became a journalist. It’s what first drew me to the career as a little girl in Mississippi. Of course, back then I didn’t see anyone like me on television, a gay Black woman. I knew I wanted to be able to help others share their story.
But I never wanted tobecomethe story. I never thought at all about the “celebrity” aspect of it. Even as much as we lovedWalter Cronkite, I didn’t think of him as a celebrity. He washuge. I mean, who didn’t love Uncle Walter?
And then it just, at some point, it became that way with journalists. The way we were seen somehow changed. I have now been in people’s homes for over two decades. How many actors can say that?
Naima Green
Today, people see me exactly as I am.
For more on PEOPLE’s 2022 Pride Issue, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Now people ask me about [my partner] Amber like they would if her name was Andy. Sometimes I have to pause and take that in.
For the longest time, before I came out publicly in 2013, I would think, “Well, everybody knows I am gay. My family knows I am gay. My colleagues, bosses…” All true. If I was walking down the street I would introduce Amber. But I wasn’t ready to say it publicly, even though I felt that I was being public. What a waste of time! Andwhy? BecauseI was afraid. Because I was afraid people couldn’t think I could be a Christianandgay. And then I realized, if somebody who looks like me was to come along, maybe I could give them a little more courage. Maybe they would know they were not walking alone.
I’ve learned we can all provide hope. We can all be accidental, incidental activists, beacons of recognition and representation. I’m not an activist. I say God bless the activists because what they do is so important. But I think I’ve spawned activism in people. I like that. And we can do it without beating our chests and getting on a soapbox and getting in someone’s face and yelling at them about how they should be. By being our authentic selves, others can be motivated. They may even rally around it.
I love when people say, “I’m part of your tribe.” Because I know I am seen not despite of, butbecause ofwho I truly am: gay, and Black, and a woman.
I never understood when a parent would tell me it was not until I revealed my sexuality that they were able accept their child. For whatever reason, my revelation allowed them to actually see their child because they had such respect and love for me.
Thatis the power of visibility.
source: people.com
