Anderson Cooper and Boyfriend Benjamin Maisani Rock Matching Sneakers in NYC—See the Pic!

CNN anchor and longtime love tend to keep a low-profile as a couple

Looking good, fellas!

Anderson Cooper and boyfriend Benjamin Maisani stepped out Tuesday in New York City wearing matching sneakers. Indeed, both rocked the same Adidas sneakers for what appeared to be just a casual afternoon stroll.

The CNN journalist and his longtime beau look less than enthused about having a paparazzo take their picture, and it probably has something to do with the fact that they like to keep their private lives, well, private.

Maisani, a nightclub mogul in NYC, spoke to French Morning last year about the public attention surrounding his relationship with Cooper. "I understand that it interests people, but it doesn't interest me," he explained.

"Like most people, I never really thought about it, and I never wanted to be a celebrity," he clarified. "I knew I'd have to be careful right from the start before it had a chance to get out of hand."

Cooper has also been conscious of keeping his personal life out of the spotlight. He largely avoided talking about it publicly for years until a 2012 interview with Daily Beast columnist and gay rights activist Andrew Sullivan. "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself and proud," he said.

So why did he finally speak out after staying mum on the topic for years? As he explained, "It's become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something–something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true."

"I've also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible," he told the Daily Beast. "There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand."