CNN’s weekend anchor Don Lemon admitted he was the victim of a pedophile during an on-air discussion with members of Bishop Eddie Long’s congregation on Saturday. Long is the Atlanta minister who is accused of molesting three male church members, with the abuse allegedly occurring when they were underage. Four lawsuits have been brought against him.
While asking the New Birth Church congregation representatives how they felt about the allegations, Lemon suddenly admitted that he himself had been molested. He also noted that the details of what Long allegedly said to young church members to coerce them matched his own personal experience. I will point out that the accusers age means that Long is not technically a pedophile, but the predatory analogy still stands.
“I have never admitted this on television,” Lemon said. “I am a victim of a pedophile when I was a kid. Someone who was much older than me.”
Lemon added that he hadn’t told his mother about the abuse until he was 30. After the broadcast, Lemon Tweeted “Thank you all for your kind words. I had no idea I’d say that on national tv. It just came out. Sadly, it’s the truth for so many young men.”
– J. Harvey
Watch the video, after the JUMP:
Regardless of if what he did was wrong, the way these people stand up for him is rediculous, as if he is god himself and can do no wrong. But also the way they (the prosecuting lawyer) are comparing him to someone who rapes children is just wrong. By definition he is NOT a pedophile. But that is just the news blowing things up. The problem is not that he had relations with a 17 year old. The problem is that he used his POWER to do so
thanks for posting this — just another example of a person (the Bishop) who speaks one thing and does another. Don Lemon was brave to say what he did — Bravo that took a lot of guts
I agree with YungGun97. It’s really important that those of us who have culturally maligned erotic tastes to police the way that sexuality is represented in the public sphere. There are significant differences between rape, pedophilia, coercion, hypocrisy, pressure, irresponsibility, abuse of power, etc. If we aren’t careful with charged language, then it can easily be used against us.
“culturally maligned erotic tastes”????????
so using your power to sexually prey on vulnerable young people is an erotic taste now????
I never do this but dude– seriously wtf?
If you would like to discus this further you can email me at pspin@pobox.com
see I’m not some hater fat ass sitting in the dark spewing anonymous venom
Kboy , email me. my MH is the same name as here. Have some more questions
I applaud Don Lemon for having the courage to speak about what must been a very painful part of his life and 2 do so on live national television really took guts. I three young people sitting on the couch ( maybe it’s me but they seemed a bit brain washed ) kept saying the bishop as if he ( the bishop ) was holier than Thai and I kept thinking this guy ( the bishop ) did what these 4 young people R accusing him of . I know our system of justice says innocence until proven guilty but time & time again we have seen people in position of power ( especially N the catholic church ) abuse that power by having sex with underage boys while at same time condemning gay sex as the worst offense against GOD ! What a HYPERCRIT hypocrisy N it’s worst form !!!
You know I really like you BJH. But this time I have to disagree. And I’m saying this very kindly! We don’t know if he did it. These boys could have very well been coached by their attorneys to act the way they are. If we give up the innocent until proven guilty stance, we are all screwed.
i like how he says it so casually and slips it in there.
Todd, I completely agree that we cannot give up the practice and concept of innocent until proven guilty, and I appreciate your desire to give this guy a chance. But do you really in your heart of hearts think he is completely innocent? That just feels like denial. I’d bet $100 that he’s guilty as sin, but that’s just my gut. I’m not interested in convicting him before he has a chance to defend himself, however (which he hasn’t done very well so far)! The true test will be in a court of law.