CNN anchor Don Lemon made a very personal admission in the most public of ways — during his live newscast. Lemon was discussing the sexual abuse cases against Bishop Eddie Long with three members of Long’s church who continue to support him.

Lemon had just played a soundbite from the lawyer of one of Long’s accusers about how the bishop allegedly got close to one of the young men in his church.

Let me tell you what got my attention about this and I have never admitted this on television. I’m a victim of a pedophile when I was a kid. Someone who was much older than me.

Lemon’s admission led to an audible gasp from one of his guests. “I’ve never admitted that on television and I never told my mom until I was 30 years old,” Lemon said later in the segment. “Especially African-American men don’t want to talk about those things.”

Almost immediately, viewers began showing support on his Facebook page.

“I’m sorry for the pain you endured,” wrote one. “Very Brave….You Just Helped Someone…” wrote another. Lemon replied, “Thank you all for your kind words. I had no idea I’d say that on national TV. It just came out. Sadly it’s the truth for so many young men.”

Lemon had spent much of the 7pmET hour discussing the case against Long.