Oprah interviews openly gay former NJ governor

New Jersey Governor James McGreevey made history by outing himself before the nation Aug. 12, 2004. Now the openly gay former governor is dishing to Oprah about his life following the scandal.

The talk show queen would be the first to interview McGreevey since his departure from the public eye. He arrived at Harpo Studios Tuesday alongside his life partner, Mark O'Donnell, an Australian financial advisor. He was also accompanied by friends and supporters who had to sign confidentiality agreements with Regan Books, the publisher of McGreevey's soon to be released memoir, "The Confession." The audience was also given strict instructions by Winfrey not to disclose any part of the interview to the public. But two anonymous members have leaked the details of the interview to the press.

In reports, the two audience members have said McGreevey told Oprah he believed he was in love with Golan Cipel, the man in the middle of the ex-governor's fall from grace. Cipel, a native of Israel, was hired by McGreevey as homeland security chief. The two became romantically involved, although Cipel has denied allegations he is homosexual.

The audience members also stated Winfrey and McGreevey talked at length about his lifelong battle to come to terms with his sexuality and how quickly he learned to suppress his feelings. He also spoke about coming out to his wife, Dina Matos, and his parents and spoke about his relationship with partner O'Donnell.

"You try to maintain the public existence of a husband, a wife and children," McGreevey said, "and then you're also in the closet saying, 'I'm living -- this is who I really am, my authentic self, but I'm denying it every day.'"

McGreevey has been a long-time fan of Oprah Winfrey and admires her faith, spirituality and her work tackling educational and anti-poverty issues around the world. The interview will air concurrently with the release of McGreevey's book Sept. 19.