Is Anderson Cooper using a gay double standard?

Question

First, I personally don't care if he is or not. But what seems strange to me is this. Assuming it's true, this can be an "open secret' in NYC. He writes a book and possibly mentions his live-in lover. So in NYC everyone knows this. But if anyone outside NY mentions this they can be sued for defamation. When plugging the book the publisher/pr people/media outlets purposely build up the "is he or not" speculation to sell books. So it seems like he wants it both ways. I refuse to talk about my private life. But I will exploit the speculation to sell books.
Seems like a double standard to me.

Answer 1

Oh, didn't you hear: He came out. It was a non-event.

Answer 2

I doubt Anderson Cooper would sue you if you called him gay.

He MIGHT ask you out on a date (if you're a guy, and you're cute, and you're his "type") so you might want to be careful!