Thomas Roberts, 42, told The Advocate that anchoring NBC Nightly News last Saturday night was a “huge honour”.

In the 45 years that news programme has been on air, Roberts is the first openly gay man to sit behind the news desk.
Twitter users congratulated Roberts on making history.

. @ThomasARoberts Brilliant job and Congratulations on making history. Jb

— John Barrowman MBE (@JohnBarrowman) July 20, 2015

Pretty cool that a gay man hosted the NBC Nightly News. #progress http://t.co/BT9JidXGr7

— Ryan Scott Oliver (@ryanscottoliver) July 20, 2015

Proud of @ThomasARoberts for being the first out gay man to anchor a network evening newscast. http://t.co/IQAv5sEg4f pic.twitter.com/QkhvmTskhM

— Jordan Bach (@JordanBach) July 19, 2015

I may be partial BUT @ThomasARoberts just ROCKED #nbcnightlynews in true Balto O's speak "Give that Man a Contract!!"

— Patsy Roberts (@Patsy_Roberts) July 18, 2015

Roberts first publicly acknowledged his sexuality in 2006. In 2000, he met Patrick Abner. The couple became engaged in 2011 after New York legalised same-sex marriage and were married a year later.