Ellen DeGeneres says she's proud of Adam Lambert

June 11, 3:51 AMInternational LGBT Issues ExaminerKelvin Lynch

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                                   Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres told TV Guide that she is proud of Adam Lambert for publicly saying he's gay.

"I'm proud of him, and I'm happy for anyone who has the guts to actually tell the world who they are and not fear they are going to lose their career or alienate anybody."

The 50 year-old openly gay talk host said she admired Lambert's courage to come out as gay in Rolling Stone, and it has a positive impact on others.

"We've seen recently in the press how many kids have killed themselves because of being bullied at school and teased," said DeGeneres. "Whenever there is somebody who is successful and talented and happy and openly gay, I think that sends a really positive message for all these kids out there that are struggling — and adults."

DeGeneres herself faced strong public backlash when she came out as gay in 1997.  Her popular sitcom, Ellen, was canceled, and DeGeneneres had difficulty finding steady work for several years.  She returned to the stand-up comedy circuit before launching her wildly successful talk show in 2003. The show has since earned 25 Emmy Awards, and Ellen is an American icon.

Last year, DeGeneres married her partner of 5 years, actress Portia de Rossi, in a small ceremony in California before the passage of Prop 8. 

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