Neal Baer

Neal Baer has been a writer and producer enjoying outsized success over decades on shows such as ER, Law & Order: SVU and the CBS series Under the Dome.

He’s also a doctor who got his degree from Harvard Medical School. He’s something of an overachiever.

But for many years, Baer found it difficult to enjoy his success. He was waging an internal battle, hiding a part of himself from the rest of the world. Now in his mid-50’s, he’s finally come out of the closet.

As far back as 20 years ago, Baer’s secret found its way into his work. He was among the first to craft storylines involving gay, transgender and HIV positive characters on primetime television.

Baer tells Kim Masters about coming out mid-career in Hollywood and why he thinks network TV today is more conservative than it was in the 90’s.