Or, here's a thought. Maybe he doesn't answer because it isn't of anyone else's G** d*** business. His sexual orientation is of no consequence to anyone except whomever he is lying next to at a given moment. For the overwhelming majority of people in the world, our only relationship with Anderson Cooper is one of journalist and viewer and within the narrow parameters of that relationship his sexual orientation is of no importance. I don't care what Mr. Anderson does with his naughty bits (as long as he doesn't break the law) as long as he tells me what is going on in Libya.
I agree that gay youths need to know that gay men and women can be well-regarded people in respectable positions in society, but the message I think gay youths might take away from many of these celebrity outings is that you deny your homosexuality (or avoid the issue altogether) until either the world is confronted with undeniable proof of your homosexuality and you are forcefully outed against your will, or there is so much talk of your sexual orientation that you HAVE to say something just to stop all the noise. I don't think this is the way for anyone to live. Mr. Quinto, to his credit, I think, divulged is homosexuality precisely because he wanted to show kids who might be thinking of killing themselves that they are not alone and they can make their way in the world and achieve success, which is a laudable goal, I think. I just cannot stand the fact that we have become so obsessed with what many, including myself, would consider to be a very private and personal part of one's life that we force people to tell us which "side" they are on so we can know where they stand on this issue (are you "us" or "them"?). I hope that as homosexuals obtain greater and greater rights they will also obtain greater and greater respect to the point where one day (soon) we won't be spending so much time preoccupied with the private lives of others because there won't be any legal, political, or social distinctions between heterosexuals and homosexuals.
I agree with part of your post ---- but here's some info to consider:
In our world of "stars" TV, movie, musical, literary, sports, etc. we are a society obsessed with "what's up?" We want to know who's dating who; who is sick; who's on drugs and in rehab; who's had a baby; who's gotten divorced or married; who's lost weight; etc. We are not simply JUST interested in their next project or the quality of their performance in their field. Since the world is predominantly heterosexual -- it is assumed unless otherwise spoken. It's pretty obvious that for gay stars, -- dating, divorce, marriage, babies would become pretty much a difficult field to probe. As in the real world, grandma gets suspicious when a good looking man of 35 has "never been married" or lives with a room-mate! All that "protecting of identity" when the paparazzi probe must get really really tiring! And then there's the "fear" of discovery.
Since heterosexuals don't have to "define" themselves to get by in life because of assumption, I'm afraid gay people HAVE to make it perfectly clear who we are. If you're famous, I'm afraid your life (and it would seem all aspects of it) is everybody's business like it or not. THAT is one of the prices of fame. If you want to be really "free," simply declare yourself and those institutions, small minded people, etc. that don't accept it ------- screw them.
Many "stars" enjoy the added benefit of their voice speaking louder than others for products & causes. Why should what "they" say about something make a difference whether it be buying a certain product they endorse or speaking about a current event? Because being famous, people pay attention.
Speculation may be good for publicity, but in the long run WHO you are is a better way to live your life -- famous or not!