Why is sexual orientation newsworthy?

[matahari]

The headline in my local paper a couple of days ago was about a BBC newsreader called Jane Hill declaring that she is gay. How is this news? Would they have reported it in this way if she had stated that she is heterosexual?

Jane Hill outs herself as gay in BBC's inhouse magazine | Mail Online

[Sam]

I have to agree. I'm not even sure this would make headlines if she was a man. Typical media blow up "OMG she's a lesbian!"

[Lalita]

That's why I hate the term "gay rights"..because why should your sexual orientation merit special rights and privileges, or a lack thereof? Everyone has different preferences and fetishes, but I don't see how that interferes with your normal life...it's so childish, really. >.<