Last week, Ricky Martin re-posted some beautiful new photos of himself and his husband, Jwan Yusef. They had been shot for the glossy art-fashion-erotica magazine, CAP 74024.
Most people on social media were complimentary about the pics, which showed the couple hugging and embracing.
View this post on Instagram
However, clearly, not everyone felt that way. On Monday, Martin took to social media to say he noticed the number of followers he had significantly dropped after he posted the images. He’d also received several derogatory comments.
View this post on Instagram
On his social media, he said he wasn’t bothered by not having as many followers, but was more disturbed by what that represented.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“Today I want to speak to you from my most vulnerable side…” he began, alongside photos of him with manicured nail extensions. The message was translated from Spanish to English on Facebook.
View this post on Instagram
“A week ago, I uploaded some photos with my husband for a special edition of @capogether4024 magazine. For both of us it was a wonderful experience and a way to celebrate our pride.
“What I didn’t expect, especially after all the work that has been done for so many years, is that a large number of people decided to unfollow or comment derogately.
“Of course, it’s not the number of followers I’m concerned about, it’s the message behind your decision that has caused me the same feeling I had years ago before sharing publicly about my sexual orientation. That same fear that paralyzed me, tormented me and wouldn’t let me be.
“Today I see the pictures and what that I feel is a full peace of being able to celebrate my family as they deserve, all the high. To celebrate me as I am no matter what they will say.
“And that fear I just spoke of, no longer paralyzes me, on the contrary, gives me much more strength and pushes me to continue to work for the well-being of millions of people suffering every day because of the lack of acceptance.
“The most I wish in this life is that we can all feel free, proud of ourselves, happy, that we are loved, respected and accepted.
“May we express ourselves how we are born without retaliation or being punished.
“It’s not fair to continue losing valuable lives due to prejudice and lack of education.
“To all those who feel lost or not valued for being who they are and want to be, are not alone, there is a great community waiting for you with open arms. They are worth a lot, don’t forget it please.”
On Instagram, the message has been liked over 1.6million times. Among those to share or comment was singer Camila Cabello, who said on her Instagram stories, “You are inspiration, love and courage, I love you, friend!!”
Related: Ricky Martin still has PTSD from that time Barbara Walters tried outing him during 2000 interview
Martin came out in 2010. He met Jwan, an artist, in 2016. Martin had already become a father to twins, Matteo and Valentino, in 2008. The men announced they were married in January 2018, and since that time they have welcomed daughter Lucía ( December 2018) and son Renn (October 2019) into the world.
Related: Ricky Martin worries he’s not getting work because he’s gay
rickyboi7
You are awesome Ricky, I love your music, and your honesty. You have a beautiful family. God bless you. B
PerhapsYesNoMaybe
Overpopulating the planet when overpopulation is the number one cause of destruction to the world isn’t noble, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s narcissistic and harms everyone’s children.
Cam
Right wing troll accounts always try to find any reason to attack an out of the closet celeb. It’s adorable you thought you’d get any tracking on this one.
ShiningSex
So showing children that love is love is wrong? The world is overpopulated so I am all for no more children for a long time. Pro abortion, etc.
Stop with your ignorance and trolling. It shows your stupidity
nunya
It’s not gay people overpopulating the world, it’s the third world that’s overpopulating.
scottjamesmiller
Then your mother is just as guilty, if not more.
rockyroo
I can only assume you are 100% pro choice and hopefully childless.
Invader7
Some people are schmucks.. Case in point : PerhapsYesNoMaybe. Jealous much ?? Hater for sure… You attack Mr.Martin & Mr. Yosef .. Go after the heteros who have 12-19 children. The breeders who have Overpopulated the world to 7 BILLION plus people. Which , Miss Debbie Downer , INCLUDES you…What a sorry loser you are.. Go Josef & Ricky.. Screw what others do or think !!!
ggontarek
THANK YOU! You thought like I did. Go after the straight people. Gay men can’t actually produce children. Did they not know that? lol.
Fahd
Ricky is authentic. He is genuinely a man who always tries to do the right thing. I am a fan.
ShiningSex
except for that Barbara Walters interview where he outed himself but then backtracked in the interview. It was embarrassing for him. Took him way too long to come out, but yes at least he did.
Fahd
@Shi…sex
I guess you’re the only perfect one. He’s a genuine, authentic guy. In any case, he’s turned out a lot better than you.
Gourmet Guy
I’ve always loved Ricky Martin, and now I love Ricky and his husband, Jwan Yosef. Your photos convey more than Gay Pride, they exemplify Love.
Seth
Ricky Martin can always and forever eat a bag of spoiled clits for performing at Dubya’s inauguration. No thirst-trap pictures are ever going to make up for that.
ShiningSex
I have no respect for Ricky. Not because he’s gay but because he took so long to come out when he outed himself on Walters without realizing he had done so. He’s a moron.
Now for those pics, gay love is beautiful.
amanwithanedge
get over yourself, Mary.
scottjamesmiller
I bet you’re single.
Toofie
Geez, give the guy a break. How does he live his life NOW.
Inspector 57
ShiningSex, maybe we can get Biden to appoint a committee that would decide exactly when specific LGBTQ individuals have the obligation to come out. Of course, that “committee” would be comprised of only you, since you seem to be the leading arbiter on the issue.
jaleoman
What a disgusting judgmental queen you are.. Ricky came out when he was ready and he has done a beautiful work on being a very positive role model for the LGBTQ community. He is the first big Latin artist to ever come out, and he still 11 years later the only out Latin artist on that caliber. No other Latin artist have done more for the LGBTQ community than Ricky. You are disgusting instead of supporting and applause one of our biggest icon, you choose to hate.
tjack47
I loathe a hateful, spiteful, envious bitchy queen.
Inspector 57
You said it, brother!
amanwithanedge
the photos are beautiful.
Mack
Haters are going to hate and you can’t fix stupid. But the pictures are beautiful. Hope the two makes it a long time.
[email protected]
Mr. Martin … You did not lose followers. Certain people lost you.
GrizzleyMichael
I think Ricky Martin is one hot sexy and beautiful man. Obviously they weren’t real fans if they get so uptight about two men hugging. It is time for those so called fans to get that bible or cross removed from their ass
BigE
If you lost followers, its probably not because you were photographed embracing your husband. That tatoo of Marilyn Monroe from Playboy’s premiere issue may of upset a few people.
scottjamesmiller
Really? You think a tattoo offended people?
Troyfight
@BigE …Wake up. The affection between two men is more powerful than a tat, you dumbass.
Manrico Jimenez
Well maybe if he had had integrity a little sooner and not tried to hide/dupe his identity all those years especially with lyrics like “mi boricua, mi niña, mi amor, mi asignatura pendiente.”
DarkZephyr
Almost all of us spends at least some time in the closet. What a stupid thing to criticize a gay person for.
jaleoman
What a disgusting judgmental queen you are.. Ricky came out when he was ready and he has done a beautiful work on being a very positive role model for the LGBTQ community. He is the first big Latin artist to ever come out, and he still 11 years later the only out Latin artist on that caliber. No other Latin artist have done more for the LGBTQ community than Ricky. You are disgusting instead of supporting and applause one of our biggest icon, you choose to hate.
Troyfight
@DarkZephyr …exactly.
@jaleoman …exactly.
Hank31
I checked his Insta follows on IGBlade and it shows no drop at all, not even a 1-day drop. In fact, he has gained 94,000 followers over this week. This is a large surge, probably in response to his post about a (non-existent) drop.