“Ellen” Comes Out

In 1997 Ellen DeGeneres’s character “Ellen” came out on national television and GLAAD played a pivotal role in her decision to come out — and in ABC’s decision to air the historic episode.

As GLAAD’s National Communications Director, Alan Klein orchestrated a slew of international news coverage and created the landmark Come Out with Ellen campaign to support the show and its star. 

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GLAAD Media Releases

GLAAD Reacts to ABC Waffling on “Ellen”

GLAAD Launches Official “Come Out With Ellen” World Wide Web Site

ABC Reconsiders “Ellen” Hiatus With Move To New Night and Timeslot

“Ellen” Comes Out of the Closet on April 30

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GLAAD Ellen Coverage

INNER TUBE: Problems & Questions Loom Large if DeGeneres' 'Ellen' Comes Out

Ellen' receives out standing ratings

Landmark episode triples usual viewership

More Ellen News Coverage

 • ABC’S Dilemma: Outing ‘Ellen’ – Sun Sentinel

• ‘Ellen’ Draws A Crowd To Her Coming Out - The Washington Post

• Ellen’s Gay, but Is Her Announcement Worth the Weight? - Los Angeles Times

• ‘Ellen’ Gets Ready to Open the Closet Door - Los Angeles Times

• ‘Ellen’ may come out of the closet - Los Angeles Times

• GAY ‘Ellen’ Raises Questions About Advertisers – Orlando Sentinel

• Title Character in ‘Ellen’ May Come Out as Gay - The New York Times

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