Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon alleged to Invoice Maher on the latter’s podcast, Membership Random, that he was sexually harassed by colleagues whereas working on the community a number of occasions.
All through the two-hour interview (watch it beneath), Maher and Lemon talked in regards to the shifting panorama of media bias, the existence of rational MAGA Republicans, and the broadcaster’s experiences as a homosexual Black man. Early on within the episode, they talked about experiencing harassment within the office. “I’ve been harassed by men and women within the work,” he claimed to the podcast host. “There are some issues which can be actually egregious, however not all the pieces is Harvey Weinstein-level.”
In accordance with Lemon, he had uncomfortable moments with colleagues and he alleged that included being touched inappropriately in a CNN cafeteria by a feminine coworker in Atlanta, Georgia. The “younger woman tweaked his nipples” after which mentioned, “Oh, it’s chilly in right here,” he claimed.
“OK — you notice if I did that, they’d be strolling me out the door proper now?” he mentioned he informed the lady. Lemon didn’t go to HR or say something to anybody as a result of he mentioned it was a double commonplace for the lady who did it.
He was additionally allegedly sexually harassed by a higher-up at a cable information channel not on firm property. “I’ve by no means informed this story as properly. Somebody who I labored with additionally harassed me at CNN, and I by no means went to administration,” Lemon informed Maher. “She knew I used to be homosexual, and it was simply weird. She was going by way of a divorce. It was simply bizarre.”
Lemon mentioned he additionally didn’t report this occasion as a result of he didn’t suppose he can be believed by anybody. He additionally mentioned he didn’t wish to be let go from the corporate. After stress from the podcast host, Lemon alleged that the harassment got here from a lady with whom he attended enterprise occasions. He claimed he tried to depart, however the girl requested him to remain in her visitor room.
The previous anchor claimed that after the incident occurred, the lady was “so imply” to him. He mentioned that as a person, he is aware of he has the facility to say no. “I’m an grownup, and possibly I believe it’s totally different for women and men, relying on the facility construction. I believe it’s flattering so long as you possibly can ship them off simply. As a person, I might say, ‘No, I’m not ’,” he mentioned.
Lemon claimed to Maher that he was molested as a toddler, so the facility construction is skewed. “As a result of you know the way to take care of it, and you recognize what’s actually necessary or not. And you recognize, like, who has the facility. I determine as a person, I’ve the facility to say, ‘I don’t wish to.’ I don’t have to go to HR or break your profession. I simply let you know, ‘I’m not on this. You had been drunk. We had a few drinks or no matter. Let’s let it go,’” he mentioned.
In the event you or somebody you recognize is the sufferer of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest Nationwide Community‘s Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). In the event you or a cherished one are in speedy hazard, name 911.