Watch Gio Benitez Make His Good Morning America Weekend Anchor Debut

Gio Benitez, an out, gay Cuban-American journalist and news correspondent, has officially made his debut on the Good Morning America show as the new weekend anchor.

Benitez made his entrance on the show with an introduction from his fellow panel, which was followed by a montage of his past accomplishments and the journey that led him to the Good Morning America seat.

That journey began in Florida working as a reporter in Miami. His career began in 2009 when he made TV history by releasing the first news story shot on an iPhone that made it to the airwaves.

He went on to join ABC News in 2013, where he made a name for himself and reported on some of the most devastating events in recent history.

The past 3 years, Benitez has been ABC’s travel correspondent and has become the “go-to guru” on various things like zero gravity and space exploration, while asking important questions along the way.

Benitez’s mother and sister also left the news anchor a welcome video, which brought the journalist to tears of joy.

“My family, that’s all I can think about at this moment,” he said. “I’m actually carrying with me my grandfather’s pocket watch, because I keep thinking about their journey to this country from Cuba, leaving everything behind. The idea that we get to sit on this set, bearing the name of the country that gave them so much hope, it’s just everything to me. I’m just so deeply, deeply honored to sit here with you and call you all family, because you are all family.”

Benitez’s husband, Tommy DiDario, also joined on stage to congratulate his man on the accomplishment.

Watch the full video below: