TV anchor wanted to come out on air. Minnesota felt like the right place to do it

MINNEAPOLIS — Before he truly feels at home in Minnesota, Jason Hackett needs to tick off a few items on his checklist, like learning how to fish and ski. But the KARE anchor first had to tackle a more pressing priority: Being true to himself.

During an edition of the "Sunrise" morning show in May, Hackett dedicated two minutes of airtime to telling viewers that he was gay.

"Coming out to people is never easy for me," he said in a segment that quickly went viral. "I'm so nervous right now. I'm not going to lie."

Hackett's sexual orientation was no secret to family and friends. But in a 13-year career that has included stops in Florida, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Oklahoma City, this was the first time he had shared the news so publicly.

Nearly two months later, he knows he made the right decision.

"It's been crazy — in a good way," said Hackett, 36, who keeps a copy of "100 Things to Do in Minnesota Before You Die" on his cluttered desk at KARE's studio in Golden Valley. "I'm a bit surprised the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive."

On air, Hackett comes across like a seasoned pro. During the 4:30 to 7 a.m. broadcast this past Monday, he smoothly transitioned between updates on flooding in Waterville, Minn., to poking fun at meteorologist John Zeigler's dog. He saved his yawns for the commercial breaks, during which he also stretched some aching muscles, the result of a high-energy weekend workout.

But he's still adjusting to being out of the closet. He marvels at the fact that he hasn't taken off the Pride bracelet he snapped on in Washington, D.C., a few weeks ago. Earlier this month, he wore a rainbow headband to a Lynx game and put his hand on the knee of Marcus Pugh, his partner of five years.

"A year ago, I would have been hesitant to do that," Hackett said. "It was a relief to sit there, next to another couple, and be able to express our love and not worry what people will think."

The two first connected when Pugh messaged Hackett after an Oklahoma City broadcast and told the Florida native that he needed to invest in a pair of cowboy boots. Hackett considered coming out during his five years in Oklahoma, but it wasn't the right market or the right time.

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