Country Music Television's Cody Alan, host of the network's Hot 20 Countdown television show and the host and executive producer of CMT After MidNite and CMT Radio Live came out today in a post to his professional Facebook page. As one of the most recognizable faces in the country music entertainment industry, his decision to come out is nothing short of historic for a community notoriously resistant to talking about these issues."2017. As we start a new year, there is something I want to share with you. You see, I'm gay. This is not a choice I made, but something I've known about myself my whole life." He continued, "As we continue our journey, I hope this news won't change how you see me. I'm still the same Cody I always was. You just know a little more about me now. "He's not the first person to come out in the industry, but he is the first openly gay host on CMT and by coming out is now not only one of the most visible LGBT faces in the country music industry, but in the country.You can read the entire note here. Congratulations and hell yeah, Cody.UPDATE: Via Rolling Stone Country, Cody Alan has released a statement regarding his decision to publicly come out:"From a professional standpoint, you do consider all the variables and you think about how other people would be affected by it," he told RSC's Jon Freeman. "I realized that this could have a great, positive impact on many people who may be country music fans and may feel like they don't fit in. But they see a guy like me on TV who is country and gay, and they recognize that there's a place for you here, and that country music is a warm, welcoming space."Read the whole thing here.
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