6 June 2023<\/time>\n<\/p>\nFormer CNN anchor Don Lemon is set to celebrate Pride Month by hosting Emil Wilbekin\u2019s 7th annual Native Son Awards at Barry Diller\u2019s IAC building in New York.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is set to celebrate Pride Month by hosting Emil Wilbekin\u2019s 7th annual Native Son Awards at Barry Diller\u2019s IAC building in New York<\/p>\n
\nThe ousted host, 57, who was fired from CNN in April following a 17-year stint at the network as part of an apparent shake-up of its image as a liberal station \u2013 and who came out as gay in his 2011 memoir \u2018Transparent\u2019 \u2013 will mark the 16 June event as Emil wants to \u201cshine a light\u201d on black and queer men.<\/p>\n
\nEmil said in a statement: \u201cFor this year\u2019s awards, we really wanted to shine a light on those who are using their platforms to bring visibility to all the beautiful ways in which black, queer men show up in the world.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHaving Don host this year\u2019s award feels like a full circle moment for Native Son.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHe is one of the most visible black gay men in media and his presence reinforces the importance and impact of our community.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nPage Six highlighted how Don was one of the first figures to be honoured by the awards \u2013 which aim to highlight \u201cthe achievements of Black gay and queer men who are leaders in their respective industries\u201d \u2013 at its first gala in 2016. <\/p>\n
\nThe organisation stood in solidarity with the reporter when he was ousted from CNN in April, posting: \u201cAs one chapter closes, a new one will open. We thank you Don Lemon for speaking truth to power.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nSince he was ousted, Don has maintained a relatively low profile, and told Page Six at the Time 100 gala that he plans to \u201cenjoy my summer, spend it on the beach and have a great time\u2026 that\u2019s it!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe awards show will also honour Patrik Ian-Polk, Tony nominee Jordan E Cooper, Chester Algernal Gordon, Elegance Bratton, James Cole Jr, Nicco Annan, Bishop O C Allen, Rashad Burgess, Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis.<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019s ousting was widely seen as part of a move by network boss Chris Licht\u2019s campaign to shake up the network\u2019s liberal-leaning image and reinvent it as a down-the-middle and facts-first news organisation.<\/p>\n
\nIt was last week reported Don\u2019s tensions with Chris, 51, dated back at least to last autumn, when the outlet said a wardrobe dispute erupted during a rehearsal.<\/p>\n
\nThe Atlantic said in early November, during a final rehearsal before the launch of \u2018CNN This Morning\u2019, Lemon baffled producers by arriving back on set from a break wearing a white jacket with fur collar over a turtleneck.<\/p>\n
\nChris is said to have asked in the control room: \u201cWhat the f*** is he wearing?\u201d, according to a first-hand account from Atlantic staff writer Tim Alberta, who was there working on a lengthy profile of the boss.<\/p>\n
\nA junior producer was said to have reluctantly relayed Chris\u2019 concern through Don\u2019s earpiece, which apparently provoked a \u201cmiffed\u201d look from the CNN host as he was allegedly told: \u201cDon, uhh, we\u2019re not too crazy about the jacket in here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nChris took over as chair and CEO of CNN Worldwide in February 2022, following the dismissal of his predecessor Jeff Zucker, 58, over an undisclosed romance with his top lieutenant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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