Legendary radio shock jock Howard Stern has problematic stands on every social topic from race to misogyny to homophobia. Many argue Stern turns gays into sex objects; however, when looking a little deeper Stern is one of the most supportive major media figures of the gay community.

In an AfterElton.com interview with the gays boys of Sirus radio, Larry Flick mentioned how die-hard Stern listeners flip the channel to OutQ, partly due to Stern’s support: “The prototypical Howard Stern listener is not one you envision to be a Sirius OutQ listener, but they're checking us out. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have Howard's endorsement. He's been extremely generous in his praise on and off the air.”

I look at Howard Stern as the older, dirty uncle in your family. Loud-mouthed, obtrusive, offensive ... but at the end of the night he will be the one person who will support you if you come out of the closet during Thanksgiving dinner.

This week Howard Stern regular Joey Boots came out of the closet as a gay man live on the air. Of course, a Howard Stern revelation wouldn’t be complete without the trash factor. According to HowardStern.com, “Boots then confessed that he was gay, saying he's been going out to gay clubs ‘on the sly’ to ... and otherwise ‘hook up'.” Boots went onto describe the many men he is attracted to — none of which were Howard. Comedian and producer of the Howard Stern radio show, Bob Levy, argued that Boots was only gay because he slept with Lisa Lampanelli — that’s a story I’m afraid to hear!

Howard Stern said it was no big deal that Joey Boots is a gay man and “told Boots that coming out was a heroic thing for him to do and congratulated him for doing so.” Considering that Howard's core audience isn't generally considered to be the most sensitive or gay-leaning bunch, hearing Howard voice such unqualified support for his friend is undeniably a positive. Before Joey Boots left he agreed to do a Gay Dial-A-Date segment, a dating game for gay men. Also, on a sentimental note, Boots said when he looks at attractive men he “feels a loneliness in his chest.” Poor Boots.

I am sure Howard Stern will be documenting Boots's new out-of-the-closet life in vivid detail! We will keep you posted.