KFAN radio personality Zach Halverson says he is gay

KFAN radio personality Zach Halverson announced Friday he is gay. 

Halverson, a White Bear Lake native who has blossomed on the Twin Cities station's No. 1-rated Power Trip Morning Show, made the announcement live on-air and via a social media post. He said he "felt like this morning was a great opportunity to reveal something very personal for many, many reasons." 

"I am gay," he wrote. 

"I have known since high school, though I admit that it took me a lot longer to realize than it should have. This was because most, if not all of the people I idolized growing up were straight. It simply wasn't on my radar and when thoughts began creeping into my head, I dismissed them because there wasn't anyone in sports radio or calling hockey games who was gay. At least none that I was aware of," he continued. 

Halverson said one of the reasons he publicly announced his sexual orientation is because "representation is so very important," noting there "are gay people in all walks of life with all sorts of backgrounds and interests and passions." 

After the radio show ended, the members of the show – Chris Hawkey, Cory Cove, Paul "Meatsauce" Lambert and Halverson – held their usual "After Party" livestream in which Halverson said his colleagues at KFAN have known about his sexuality for a "couple years." 

Halverson has received bountiful support since revealing his message, including from KARE 11's Jana Shortal, who is gay. 

"This matters, Zach. This truth, matters. You are in your power friend – enjoy the trip, also known, as real life," Shortal tweeted.