Two high-profile figures revealed to the NY Times this weekend that they are gay.

The first was Phoenix Suns President Rick Welts, who came out in a lengthy profile published on Sunday. Welts said that he met with a number of people to deliver the news, including NBA commissioner David Stern, who later told the Times he'd known Welts was gay for some time. (After their meeting, they hugged for the first time in their friendship, according to the profile.)

Welts said that by revealing his sexuality, he hopes to become a mentor to gay people who doubt whether they can have a career in sports.

"This is one of the last industries where the subject is off limits," he said. "Nobody's comfortable in engaging in a conversation."

Also on Sunday, CNN anchor Don Lemon talked openly to the Times about being gay, which is detailed in his new memoir, 'Transparent.'

"I'm scared," he said. "I'm talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for ... "It's quite different for an African-American male. It's about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You're taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. In the black community they think you can pray the gay away."

Lemon added that he abhors hypocrisy, and ultimately concluded that "if you're going to be in the business of news, and telling people the truth, of trying to shed light in dark places, then you've got to be honest. You've got to have the same rules for yourself as you do for everyone else."

'Transparent' will be released on June 16.

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