Gary Lezak thanks KC for ‘incredible’ support after his announcement that he is gay

Gary Lezak once wore a ring on the air.

But then he took it off because of questions about his marital status. Was he engaged? Had he gotten married?

“I decided to take the ring off because I wasn’t ready to come out yet,” the KSHB chief meteorologist told The Star.

That changed on Tuesday when Lezak announced he is gay in a Facebook post. Though he’s been out to colleagues and friends for years, this was his first public acknowledgment to the many people who watch him on Channel 41.

“I haven’t worn the ring, but tonight I think I’m going to wear the ring (on the air),” he said.

Lezak and his partner, Andy Caraway, received overwhelming support in comments and messages following Lezak’s announcement.

“Just beautiful, Gary! I’m literally in tears. (Happy tears). Nice to meet you, Andy,” wrote one person in a comment on Facebook.

“Love is love is love is love. A beautiful story! Thank you for sharing that, Gary!” wrote someone else.

Lezak purchased his and his partner’s rings ahead of a 2001 Caribbean cruise. At that time, he’d been with his partner for about four years.

“This is 2001. There was no gay marriage yet,” Lezak said. “And so basically that’s what these (the rings) were symbolizing — asking Andy to be my partner for life, and he said, ‘Yes,’ and we’ve had this incredible almost 20 years together.”

Caraway worked as a secondary schoolteacher in the Kansas City area.

Reaction to Lezak’s announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.

“It’s rather incredible watching and experiencing Kansas City have this support for this whole moment,” Lezak said. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a very, very long time.”

One person, however, said she doesn’t agree with Lezak’s sexual orientation.

“Bible still says it is a Sin,” she wrote.

“That’s part of my message,” Lezak said. “If you’re born this way, how can it be a sin?”

Lezak has called Kansas City home for more than 25 years. He said he has been out to fellow employees and friends since his arrival.

The goal for coming out publicly now, Lezak wrote, is to bring awareness and hope to others, especially young people who are dealing with sexuality issues.

Lezak, who was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in 1999 but was told he was cured 15 years later, said he will celebrate the 20th anniversary of meeting his partner in February.

Lezak added it is his hope that by sharing his story, others will feel more comfortable to be themselves as well.

“Young people who may be struggling with their sexuality, and their parents who may be trying to process it all as well, I know it is not easy,” he wrote. “It can be quite scary. I am hoping to be a good role model for the LGBTQ community.”

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 10:34 AM with the headline "Gary Lezak thanks KC for ‘incredible’ support after his announcement that he is gay."