Let it be known that November 20 will from here on be known as country music’s official coming out day. Hot on the heels of Nashville superstar Ty Herndon’s public acknowledgment that he’s a happily-partnered gay man, country performer Billy Gilman has been inspired to do the same. Gilman, 26, first garnered attention as the youngest person to score a top 40 country hit (he was 12 at the time) with the single “One Voice,” has followed Herndon’s lead and posted a video online in which he acknowledges he’s a gay man with a partner of five months.
Gilman tells viewers that it was “difficult for me to make this video not because I’m ashamed of being a gay male artist or a gay artist or a gay person. But it’s pretty silly to know that I’m ashamed of doing this knowing that because I’m in an genre and industry that is ashamed of me for being me. That said, I want to say that all of the country artists that literally I grew up with – Keith Urban, Vince, Lee Ann Rhimes and all of these wonderful friends of mine have been nothing but supportive. Not that they knew but they’ve just been such wonderful people.”
With the C&W floodgates now wide open, who do you think will come out next?
Watch Gilman’s video below.
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Trippy
Yeah, well there’s a shock. 🙂 Either way, congrats! Unfortunately, it still takes a bit of moxy to come out in the world of country music.
Still waiting on Chesney… hello??? Anyone home, Kenny???
tdx3fan
Wow, that boy grew up all kinds of pretty.
1EqualityUSA
beautiful eyes! Thanks for living truthfully and having the courage to be yourself. Good luck, good, health, and much happiness and success to you.
Arkansassy
That escalated quickly! BTW – is it just me or do all male country music stars look gay?
jason smeds
A lot of male country acts are yuppies in cowboy hats. Most of them have never truly lived a country existence. They are brands, period. That is why their music is so bland.
As to coming out, I’m all for it but I don’t like it when they say “I’m gay”. Saying it makes it sound like an identity transformation. Memo to these people: you are still the same person you ever were, only now just less hidden than before.
malibujd44
@Arkansassy: And just what does a GAY GUY look like? Does he wear makeup and make his hips go back and forth? Damn you are stupid. We come in all forms shapes and sizes you idiot!!! Just because a man takes care of himself does not mean he is gay.
SHAME ON YOU for such a stupid comment…..
fredo777
I literally posted “yesssssssssss” on another blog’s Facebook post about this. I’ve had a crush on this cutie since I saw a shot of him grown up. It’s the shot where he’s wearing the blue tank, sitting in the passenger side of a car (if you’re in America).
Atldeuce
This took more courage than Herndon. Real time, not years after two sham marriages and finding Jeses.
barkomatic
@Atldeuce: I completely disagree. Herndon is older, and homophobia in the 90’s was a lot more intense than it is now. Instead of tearing people down, we should be happy that people are coming out at any age. The more people identify as gay, the harder it gets for homophobes to put us in a box.
Nikkidane
Keep being who you are. Eventually this will be a non-issue and people will always appreciate a good artist. People will also have more respect for you by living honestly.
I’m sure you’ll inspire many young kids to come out and feel better about themselves. Bravo!
sangsue
With how religion is woven together with country music, coming out is a huge deal.
I wish it wasn’t.
Milk
@malibujd44: Nah that’s just the very straight Marcus Bachmann manly manner.
Milk
@sangsue: Nah they’ve been fucking horses, cows and sheeps, they should just keep quiet about it.
NoCagada
@jason smeds: And who made YOU the QUEEN of how others perceive THEMSELVES???
Kangol
Good for him! His bravery will help him and many others.
SteveDenver
I find it deeply touching that he chose his partner and his own truth over the country music industry, that he makes no bones about its anti-gay tradition.
“Why not be an advocate for ME”
Well, darlin’, you’re out now and I wish you the best!
cflekken
Knew he was gay from the first time I saw him perform Roly Poly with Ray Benson on the CMA awards back in 2000 or 2001. Great talent who deserves more recognition for his voice and musicality.
enlightenone
@jason smeds: “As to coming out, I’m all for it but I don’t like it when they say “I’m gay”. Saying it makes it sound like an identity transformation.” Because it is!
“Memo to these people: you are still the same person you ever were, only now just less hidden than before.”
Memo to YOU, there is a major difference between what’s “hidden” and what brings the light!
wwerts1
You have come a long way from the 12 y/o I heard sing on cd’s to a bright very good- looking guy I wish you all the luck in your music and your future.
CoachS
Always been a fan of both Billy and Ty Herndon. I grew up in RI and had a house not too far from Billy’s at one point (nothing in RI is “too far”). My congratulations to both of them on living their truths and a huge good luck to Billy on the new music… despite the record companies’ poor business practices based on homophobia.
All that said, this is about THEM… yet so many on here want to make it about themselves. It’s like some of the commenters on here aren’t happy if every gay man doesn’t conform to their ideal. Some people like country (yeah middle America listens to it). Some people vote Republican (yes – the homophobes seem to vote exclusively R). Some people like football and some people “act straight” (whatever the hell that means). It takes all kinds and, as long as someone isn’t running side by side with the crew at Westboro Baptist (paging Mr. Bachmann), they get to own their own sexuality.
Sweet Jeebus on a pogo stick – just congratulate the guys on their announcements and let people live their lives. (Cue the hater responses)
fredo777
@CoachS: Very well said. Speaking of haters, I really find it in poor taste when people exclaim “we already knew!” after someone makes the decision to come out.
Charlie in Charge
@fredo777: Too true – as if all those commenters’ friends and family weren’t thinking the same thing when they came out themselves.
4runnergui
Billy, you are an inspiration to so many, so talented and someone who is going to lead rather than follow! I applaud you for being YOU! You will be loved by many more than those who will find fault with your life.
Bob LaBlah
I guess ol’ Kenny Chesney will be next, although Renee Zelwigger all but outted him when she sued for divorce based on FRAUD, which in the entertainment industry is a neon sign for GAY.
Now here’s a girl who really got shafted by Country Music Awards: k.d.Lang..check her out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqPjx94YMg
misterhollywood
Good for him! It is ridic that people don’t think gay folks are heavily involved in country music! We linked to this story as part of our own Kenny Chesney gay boyfriend fantasy post. Thanks, Queerty for the cool post on this topic!