Benjamin Maisani

Benjamin Maisani Pictures: Anderson Cooper's Boyfriend?

Anderson+Cooper in The Cinema Society & Piaget Host A Screening Of

Journalist Anderson Cooper attends the Cinema Society & Piaget screening of "W.E." at The Museum of Modern Art on December 4, 2011 in New York City. (Getty Images)more pics »

Anderson Cooper (Getty Images) Anderson Cooper has been the subject of many gay rumors over the years, and most stories link him to Benjamin Maisani, the owner of a gay bar in New York. And now a source says the news anchor is getting ready to come out on his new talk show, Anderson.

Gawker reports the silver-haired star is bringing Maisani to the holiday party for his show, in preparation for the coming out episode that will air during February sweeps. The source, who, of course, is unnamed and likely knows anything and everything, reported:

Daytime talk show "Anderson" is having their first Christmas party tomorrow night, 15 December, at the Russian Tea Room. Anderson Cooper is bringing Benjamin Maisani. And introducing him as his "boyfriend" to the staff. The staff is prepping Anderson's "coming out" show for the next sweeps. Check the ratings. They're getting desperate.

Cooper actually has never

been in a public relationship, gay or straight, that we know of. But, Out magazine ranked him second on their list of the "Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America" one year, even though he's never responded to rumors that he's gay.

Cooper and Maisani have been spotted out and about together in NYC as far back as 2008, but the status of their relationship is purely speculation. Gawker points out that Cooper has taken Maisani to other more public events in the past, so the party part of the equation is highly likely. As for the "coming out" episode, we'll have to watch and wait.

Images via Gawker.

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