News anchor gay

But viewers appreciated his humanity.

“The fact that the city embraced me with all my flaws and imperfections or crazy comments that I make on TV, it really just shows how amazing this area is, and our viewers are…so absolutely loyal,” he said. It was the first time I had seen a Catholic priest speaking in such a beautiful way about LGBTQ people." Benitez is specifically referring to Martin’s words that claimed Pope Francis told him to "continue his ministry in peace" in regards to Catholics who are also a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

He launched his own franchise — the segment he’s known for in Philadelphia — in two other markets before bringing it to the city.

With “On Your Side,” he became a reliable champion for exploited consumers to retrieve money or work they were owed from problematic businesses and fraudulent contractors. But he found connections among who he called the “do-gooder gays” — philanthropic types who rally behind good causes.

Now he tries to help newbies and LGBTQ+ colleagues find places to plug in.

As startling as it was to realize he’s the oldest person in the newsroom, he learned to appreciate his role as the work dad and enjoys mentoring emerging journalists.

After cross-country trips, he’d steal 20-minute power naps in the make-up room before leaving the station to produce stories in the field.

Donovan’s first on-air break came in 1994, working on “Steals and Deals”  — a CNBC segment in partnership with Good Housekeeping, where he was part of a team that conducted product testing.

It’s a niche that earned him 15 Emmys over the next two decades.

There are more than 1500 pairs. Oh!' Meanwhile the public was going like, 'Uh, duh! 'When we’re able to love and love freely and openly -- and love ourselves as well -- we are a long ways down the road to fulfilling the Kingdom of God.'"

Benitez found the answer to his question, writing, "It turns out proof of God’s love wasn’t in the books or lecture halls, or even the amount of years I spent studying." He furthered,  "That divine love was in me all along, always whispering guidance, gently reaching out with arms wide open, and like Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, patiently waiting for me to reach back out and embrace the greatest mystery."

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For his confirmation mass, Benitez was joined by his husband, DiDario, as well as an intimate group of family and friends.

Although they cover a broad variety of news topics for PGN, they're most passionate about opportunities to write about mental... exactly as I am."

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The anchor received an outpour of support in the comments, including from fellow ABC anchor Deborah Roberts, who wrote, "Beautiful testimonial, Gio!

🙏🏾," and Father Martin who commented, "Welcome."

Benitez has been closely covering Catholicism and the LGBTQ+ community, doing specials on Good Morning America and other ABC shows. It allowed him to do things differently than other consumer reporters, who might only serve as on on-screen advocates.

Donovan thinks that was likely a gentle way to share that viewers might not be ready for an openly LGBTQ+ newscaster. But he also viewed the advice as a challenge.

Donovan — who hails from Staten Island — initially worked as a writer and as a news producer, landing gigs in North Jersey and New York.

He continued to work as a flight attendant — the job that got him through college — because journalism didn’t pay well enough on its own.

Getting there took a little bit of luck — like getting into the only college he applied to (Seton Hall) and later landing the only internship he pursued.

“I’ve been really very fortunate throughout my entire career,” he said, underlining that he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time with access to great mentors and paths toward opportunities that helped him develop his skills.

But he also worked hard.

“And if I could, I would continue it for years and years and years — but the schedule is brutal.”

Waking up at 2 a.m.