[APPLAUSE]

>> [LAUGH]

20 years ago,

I said that it was a much bigger deal then.

You are here on a very special day.

Today we're celebrating the 20th anniversary of the coming out episode of

my sitcom.

My character,

Ellen Morgan, came out as a lesbian on national television.

And I, Ellen DeGeneres, came out at the same time.

And this was before Facebook.

So if you wanted to announce something, it was the only way.

You had to get a sitcom.

>> [LAUGH] >> And

that was >>

>> It's how we did things.

It was the first time a lead character on TV had come out.

This was before Will and Grace, and Cayman Mitchell, and Holman and Kathie Lee.

>> [LAUGH] >> And

it was called the puppy episode because we wanted to keep it a secret until it aired.

And because Ellen throws her career away seemed to on the nose.

Actually,

the real reason we called it the puppy episode was.

Cuz when the writers told the executives that they wanted me to come out because my

character needed to be in a relationship after four years of not being in

a relationship.

Some in the studio said well get her a puppy she's not coming out.

And so, we call the puppy episode.

I can't describe to you how challenging it was to get this episode made.

And at the time it was so controversial.

Which is why I thought this was important to celebrate the anniversary and

to remember what it was like back then and appreciate how far we have come.

Take a look.

>> Ellen, you're gonna be late for your dinner date with your old college friend,

Richard.

>> It's like she's been in there forever.

>> Ellen, are you coming out or not?

>> Yeah, Ellen, quit jerking us around and come out already.

Yeah.

[MUSIC]

Imagine the most difficult and personal decision you've ever had to make in your

life becoming the hot topic of debate in newspapers, magazines, and television.

>> Television history as we know it [CROSSTALK]

>> Lots of rumors in the press.

Tell me, what's gonna happen with Ellen Morgen.

>> We do find out that the character is Lebanese?

Lebanese.

>> Has there ever been anyone you felt you clicked with?

And what was his name?

>> Susan. >>

>> After months of speculation and

assumingly endless media frenzy.

>> The TV sitcom character Ellen is set to announce she's a lesbian.

>> The audience could be there in record numbers.

>> Over 2,000 people attended a party.

>> I think people are interested in this, sitcom history.

>> Why was it necessary for you to come out, tell the public?

Why was it necessary for the character to do so?

>> Because it's okay.

Because it is okay.

>> [APPLAUSE] >> Why do I have to be so ashamed?

I mean why can't I just see the truth?

I mean, be who I am.

I'm 35 years old, I'm so afraid to tell people.

I mean, I just, Susan I'm gay.

>> [LAUGH]

[MUSIC]

>> I'm gay.

>> [APPLAUSE]

[MUSIC]

>> Did you expect it to turn into all of this?

>> No, no, I mean, I knew that it would be big, but

I had no idea that it would be this big.

The announcements have sent off a huge debate.

[MUSIC]

>> The gay community has an agenda.

>> Obnoxious and objectional material.

>> It's unfortunate that the sitcom Ellen portrayed their homosexual lifestyle

As normal and acknowledges their behavior.

>> We've seen the fallout that Ellen DeGeneres has had to face since she

decided to be open about her sexuality.

>> I am concerned that we are flaunting sex.

>> God says it's wrong, it's in God's word.

>> I just feel like we're being stuffed with this right now.

>> But.

>> Down our throats.

It's just like.

>> Yeah. >> Why?

Why? All of a >> Well, because you don't have to fight for anyone to embrace you.

And say how wonderful, you have a family and children and.

>> You wouldn't know I'm straight.

I'm not out on the cover saying, yup, I'm straight.

Nobody wants to know.

Nobody cares.

>> Time has been asking how to get in touch with you.

[LAUGH] >> [APPLAUSE]

[MUSIC]

>> It was hard, I lost everything, and

I got to be stripped down of everything and start all over again.

And that was a wonderful gift, to be able to start all over again and

to realize that I was strong enough to come back.

>> [APPLAUSE] >> She is funny, she's quirky, and

she's got a brand new TV show.

The appropriately titled, Ellen DeGeneres show, is her passion,

the thing she eats, sleeps, and breathes.

>> And the Emmy goes to Ellen.

>> Ellen. >> Ellen.

>> Ellen. >>

>> The one and only Ellen DeGeneres.

>> If you haven't heard,

the California supreme court overturned the ban on gay marriage.

>> [APPLAUSE] >> So I would like to say right now for

the first time, I am announcing I'm getting married.

>> [APPLAUSE]

[MUSIC]

>> It's easy to forget now just how much courage was required for

Ellen to come out on the most public of stages almost 20 years ago.

Just how important it was.

Not just to the LGBT community, but for all of us.

To see somebody so

full of kindness and light remind us that we have more in common than we realize.

Push our country in the direction of justice.

[MUSIC]

>> Good for you, you're gay.

So what are you gonna do now?

>> I'm going to Disney Land!

>> [LAUGH]

>> [APPLAUSE] >> Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

It was the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life.

And I would not change one moment of it because

it led me to be exactly where I am today.

Standing in front of all of you which is a joy.

And the fact that all of you and everyone at home is watching me and willing to

accept me into your homes everyday when no one thought that would ever happen again.

It means the world to me, I thank you, and I celebrate you all with this dance.