Dan Kloeffler, one of the anchors of ABC's World News Now, the zany 3am news program that most people only see when they wake up on the couch to shut off the TV, came out on the air early this morning. And it's all because of Zachary Quinto.

Kloeffler was talking about the news of Quinto's coming out when he added, in the joking manner often found on a show that has its own polka theme song, that he would ignore his ban on dating actors to date Mr. Quinto. You and me both, buster.

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player

The now-out Kloeffler explains on the ABC News website "for the same reason that Zach decided to come out, I too, no longer wanted to hide this part of my life." And that's all it took, one little joke about liking boys and all the hiding is over. "As a journalist, I don't want to be the story, but as a gay man I don't want to stand silent if I can offer some inspiration or encouragement to kids that might be struggling with who they are," he says.

For all those who poo-poo Quinto and other public figures for coming out, this is an extreme example that the more public figures that come out, the more it inspires other public figures to come out. And the more out public figures we have, the easier it will be for gay people everywhere to find acceptance. Good on you, Zach and Dan.

Kloeffler should have a great career as a gay newsman in front of him, just like fellow World News Now alum Anderson Cooper.