• by Sara Guaglione , November 19, 2018

Metrosource’s annual “People We Love” issue is here, and this year, the Davler Media Group’s LGBTQ-focused publication spotlights CNN anchor Don Lemon, an openly gay journalist outspoken about President Trump’s war against the media.

The feature on Lemon appears in the December/January issue of Metrosource, with the anchor featured on the cover, as well as on metrosource.com.

“People We Love” honors “the people and organizations who display extraordinary acts of service and philanthropy, raise awareness about LGBTQ rights and culture and model excellence in being part of the LGBTQ community,” according to a statement.

For the first time in its 16-year-run, the “People We Love” franchise will host a gala event for the honorees, in January in New York City. The program is cosponsored by Red Bull, Go Israel, Health Sherpa and Entertainment Cruises.

Lemon says in the feature story that after 27 years as a journalist, this is the first time he has had to have security. “You know the only difference now versus the other 25 years or so … is Donald Trump.”

Metrosource’s interview with Lemon covers politics, his Louisiana childhood, coping with abuse, and his partner, real estate agent Tim Malone.

“I do have to say as much discrimination as there is toward gay people – and it’s awful – I have received far more for being a person of color than for being a gay man,” Lemon says.

The other honorees in the “People We Love” issue include filmmaker John Waters, musician and actress Janelle Monáe, actress Samira Wiley of “Orange is the New Black” and “The Handmaid’s Tale," veteran British actor Rupert Everett, columnist Michael Musto, comedians Cameron Esposito and Hannah Gadsby and new media figures, like YouTube satirist Randy Rainbow and blogger Kenneth Walsh.  

Community leaders and organizations are also highlighted, including Leo Preziosi, founder of the student advocacy organization Live Out Loud, LGBTQ legal advocacy organization Lambda Legal, LGBTQ scholarship organization The Point Foundation and SAGE, an organization providing support to the elder LGBTQ community.  

The 10-page section dedicated to "People We Love" in the December/January issue will be complemented with more in-depth profiles rolling out weekly on at the magazine’s website.