In a statement released to Queerty and in a post on his blog, Ricky Martin acknowledges what most have long suspected, and concluded: “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.” Congrats, buddy.
His full remarks, showing just how much he grasps the intersection of celebrity and sexuality, and what’s truly important:
A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life. From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And thisis something worth celebrating.
These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn’t even know existed.For many years, there has been only one place where I am in touch with my emotions fearlessly and that’s the stage. Being on stage fills my soul in many ways, almost completely. It’s my vice. The music, the lights and the roar of the audience are elements that make me feel capable of anything. This rush of adrenaline is incredibly addictive. I don’t ever want to stop feeling these emotions. But it is serenity that brings me to where I’m at right now. An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment. At this moment I’m feeling the same freedom I usually feel only on stage, without a doubt, I need to share.
Many people told me: “Ricky it’s not important”, “it’s not worth it”, “all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse”, “many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature”. Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions.
If someone asked me today, “Ricky, what are you afraid of?” I would answer “the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war…child slavery, terrorism…the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith.” But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, It fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment.
These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn’t even know existed.
What will happen from now on? It doesn’t matter. I can only focus on what’s happening to me in this moment. The word “happiness” takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution.
I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.
Aaron
I sense another “Sean Hayes” 🙂
strum da dum dum
HOLY SHIT !
DR
Nice post. Really nice. I hope he continues to speak up for what he believes in.
romeo
Good for him. Took guts.
@Aaron: Ricky did something important. Mindless snark is inappropriate.
Chad
All of us come out at our own pace. I wish him and his children nothing but love and happiness.
Aaron
Took guts? His career is over. He came out when it was safe, when he no longer had a career to jeopardize. Nothing very gutsy about that!
Cristobal
@Aaron: Everyone knew he was gay when he had a career. Go sit down with that.
Mark Alexander
Gawd there are a lot of heartless, catty queens here.
Andrew
Good for you Ricky!! Well done and welcome! I can relate with the sense of freedom when finally stepping out of the closet. All the very best to you and your lovely sons.
terrwill
I think someone looking to host the Tony’s…. : p
jeffree
Yay Ricky!
His letter seemed very honest & sweet.
Barbara Walters can sleep easier now!
Jude
Let him decide. If this is the right moment for him, I say good for him!
Aaron
@Cristobal:
Oh yes, everyone knew. Except that he wasn’t out. Sit on that, bitch!
Joshua
WOW! Good for him, i know people speculated for a very long time but i was never hundred percent sold on it so this is still a suprise. You go boy
Eric
He’s livin’ la vida mariposa.
Tiburon2006
Arrecha Mana!!!
Jack
Glad he finally did it.
Jason
Good for him, and yes it still takes guts for someone to come out even in 2010. It is sad to see that the people closest to him wanted him to remain silent for so long, but not surprising. I wish him nothing but the best!
Heinz Roth
Y ahora….A VIVIR LA VIDA LOCA!!!
Bussy
OMG…the only person this should shock is..no one. We all know he is gay.
Christ! I miss when coming outs were actually newsworthy.
Qjersey
Came out just in time to sell his autobiography. Crass, calculating and shallow.
Drake
Good for him,. Now let’s see a picture of him with his boyfriend.
Lanjier
I love this guy. Ricky, please do some gay love songs.
terrwill
Countdown until the Enquirer posts the photos which percipitated this “sudden decision to be honest”…….5,4,3,2,……
El Franchuta
Is he a top?…a bottom?…or versatile…huh?
jake
if a gay guy remains closeted, u guys condemn him..If one comes out, he has an agenda…WTF??
Count Chocula
Yawn, next story please! This is not interesting. But, I guess media outlets will milk this to death because Ricky is “hot.” I can only assume that’s the reason why so many posters here are so supportive of him. Ricky has been out of the mainstream spotlight for some time. Yes, he has continued to sell music for latino-based audiences. But, as far as mainstream sells…well, no.
Also, he denied being gay for years. I mean, YEARS. His whole selling point was that he was a sex symbol. Women like gay men, but c’mon. A gay man cannot be a straight woman’s sex symbol.
Anywho, I hope he isn’t planning a comeback. It would suck for him. Though, he could really bring some celebrity status to Pride Festivals all over the world this summer.
Crasher
I actually do not believe this post. Not that I do not believe that Ricky Martin is not gay, but the fact that he actually came out. That man has been denying it for so many years that to come out in this fashion just seems… odd. It’s like, on a whim he decided ‘Crap, they’re on to me. I better give in.’
Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled he came out and that he can live an open and honest life now, but I’m just finding it a bit hard to swallow that he actually came out, and that he came out in a blog post of all things. I would think maybe he would do it on some major Magazine or 20/20, but on a blog? I’m just flabbergasted.
asa1973
Teachers, gas station attendants, doctors, lawyers, truck drivers, CEOs, etc. wait until well into their careers or after their careers to come out. It is a process for everyone. It was a process for each of us for a variety of reasons. Why do we give celebs suck flack when they finally do it? Congratulations to him.
Dick
OMIGOD, Does this mean Kevin Spacey is next??
Felix
Welcome home Ricky.
Raul
@Aaron: he is still very relevant, this will be all over the world. And in latinamerica his concerts are always packed. I think that with english audiences they only accepted him if he was doing the rumba thing but he has several great songs in spanish that are actually very good like the one with Chambao.
John
@jake:
Totally agree with you.
The fact that he came out is big. The first big Latin pop star to come out is very big. Even if we (the gay “community”) knew it. Just think about all those gay boys in the Spanish speaking world, particularly Central and South America, that now have someone to have a role model that went through the same things they are going through growing up gay in such a homophobic culture. Seriously Aaron, keep the bitchy, snide comments to yourself.
Jeff
Aaron,
His career is far from over – he is still a big star in both the Latin and Asian markets which traditionally have a more conservative fanbase so he does have a good career that might be jeopardized by his coming out.
Terrwill: The folks in the Hispanic media have known for years – the reporters at “Mira” would comment on how nice, handsome, etc., his bf at the time was whenever they met the two of them at some red carpet event, and they were never inclined to reveal/expose the same, nor were they pressured not to do so, they liked him and thought that coming out would adversely affect his career, so I question whether or not any impending expose will surface. I believe that “Mira” was financially linked at one time to “The Enquirer’ so…. Those working in the Hispanic media have known that he has been wrestling with this decision for years and the conventional wisdom has been that he should remain closeted in order to protect his career. I doubt that said advice has changed recently so I think that he should be applauded for taking such a step. Rumor has it that he wanted to come out to Barbara Walters and that several Hispanic industry heavyweights convinced him not to do so at the last minute. It’s not as if he lied and said that he was straight. Nor did he ever marry a beard like some other celebrities.
QJersey: I know his manager and others who work/have worked with him and/or are knowledgeable about his career and trust me, he still makes much more money off of his concerts and record sales than he ever will off of an autobiography – do some research on the publishing industry – so don’t be so judgmental.
It’s been an open secret in Miami for years. Everyone I know who knows Ricky Martin raves about what a nice, professional, down to earth guy he is. I like the way he handled it – simple yet direct. Unlike those who crave a cover story with “People” or one of the gay magazines. He’s a father now and he wants to set a good example for his kids. Bravo! If he now appears on the cover of some magazines, great! It’s about time that the conventional wisdom that a gay man cannot be attractive or a sex symbol to women is shattered and his coming out is another blow to shattering that assinine preconception that is used by the powers that be to keep lgbt talent closeted.
Jeff R
tanre
Oh Please
I knew this guy was a homo back in 1999 when he was huge.
Solis
@Aaron: Please remind me as to when a gay person come out? At Thanksgiving, while in high school, college, during a job interview, when we start a new job, when we leave an existing one, 15-30 minutes after meeting someone on the street??? Are the requirements different onc you attain celebrity status? I’m sure both you and I came out at different points in our lives and under our own terms. As Chad, #5, pointed out, we ALL come out at our own pace. I’m sure he was out to family and friends within his circle. His music would not have sounded any better if he came out 20 years ago as a solo artist.
Jimmy
Good for Ricky.
When you hear the nastiness that emanates from those like Aaron, who set themselves up as the PC Czars of the Gay Community, you wonder why anyone would want to identify with our community. Such ungraciousness and inbred insularity are among the most unattractive traits that, hopefully, people like Martin can help diminish.
Lauren
Being openly gay didn’t seem to hurt Juan Gabriel’s stellar career. Go Ricky! Love you.
Turi
A successful man with a beautiful, loving family comes out.
Not even the most jaded of you can hate on this one.
Rasa
beautifully expressed..
Thanks, also, Paul for good words.
terrwill
DISGUSTING NEWS: The Father of a dead soldier must pay the legal expenses of that inbred bunch of scumbags from Kentucky who protest Gay and soldiers funerals:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/29/father-of-dead-marine-ord_n_517614.html
Don Tuthill
Just a quick question. Has anyone noticed that the the page linked to by Queerty is in the News section of Ricky Martin’s blog; but the story is not indexed on the News landing page?
The last news item indexed is dated March 11.
Is this possibly a hacker fraud?
The whol thing is well written and certainly sounds real; but I just find it odd that the main landing page has no index for the story.
D-lite
Umm… I hate to say it but I’m quite genuinely surprised! I don’t know I never thought he was gay, Sean Hayes wasn’t really shocking but I’m kind of stunned…
Lauren
I would be happy to contribute to any legitimate fund set up to assist the father of the dead soldier (No. 41).
Hyhybt
@jake: Some people are impossible to please.
terrwill
@Lauren: There actually is follow the link and check the comments……The inmates are now officially running the asylum………
CONVERSATION CHAMBER
::: GASP :::
I haven’t been this stunned since…Clay Aiken came out! LOL
Anyway, what else is happening in the news?
Devon
He wasn’t out already?
Huh. Really?
Well then…Good for him…
Ricky
I am so happy that he felt comfortable enough to come out. He did it at his own pace and I admire him for that!
David Ehrenstein
YAWN!
David Ehrenstein
@Ricky: “His own pace”?
Would a deathbed “confession” have worked for you?
jeffree
It may not be big news or a big surprise 2 the gays, but lotsa other people listen to his music, u know in Latin Am. mostly catholic countries. Their press may be as unkind as Aaron or worse….
@Aaron : u know its a huge sin 2 be mean during Passover right ??
MuscleBoy
Ricky who?
Cat Walker
Great. Now it’s time to release a dance album, maybe with a Scissor Sisters collaboration.
That Bitch Téa Delgado
For years, I’ve always silently observed gay men tearing down those who do come out; sometimes, I thought some of these celebrities deserved the scorn (Sean Hayes), but this time I don’t think so at all. All the catty, negative comments here are inappropriate.
So what if we all “knew”? He never lied about it, he just dodged the question all these years. Now, he’s come out in a very honest, graceful way, with an inspiring message that will hopefully not only reach those still struggling in the closet but those straight folks who will read his words and learn something from them.
CooperComeOUt
Next! Anderson Cooper, Matt Bomer…
SoWhat?
I wonder what he would have done had Barbara Walters not “outed” him again…
D'oh, The Magnificent
I am just glad he FINALLY came out. It is a bit like “oh wait I am not hot anymore so let’s come out” but still every coming out helps the cause is what I say. I just had a fews friends text me. they are straight. They said they never suspected. I have no idea why they didn’t, but each time someone hears this sort of story they will accept hopefully gay as a normal part of the spectrum. That’s the hope. so, let’s stop picking on martin for his failure to be stronger earlier. He’s stronger now. Let’s accept that. And, just to put it in a way that helps: If you attack folks when they come out, then fewer people will come out because they assume you will attack them. I agree that it is not impressive, but attacking him also seems wrong. Attack the one’s not out. Not the one’s who have made the journey.
mikeandrewsdantescove
I’m impressed with Ricky Martin’s response. No one should judge when is the proper time to come out.
This makes me appreciate his artform more.
JJ
http://promotemusic.blogspot.com/
D'oh, The Magnificent
@mikeandrewsdantescove: While no one should attack Martin as taking too long, your comment goes to the oppposite extreme. Of course, we should encourage people to come out, and it is b.s. to say we should not have a judgement if someone doesn’t come out. What if someone never comes out? In your mind is that okay? If so, that says a lot to me.
jason
Now that his hit-making days are behind him, of course he’s going to come out. If he was still making hits, his record company would probably have put the kibosh on any notion of him coming out.
This is why I get so angry with the music industry. It’s a disgusting, homophobic industry when it comes to men. Women, on the other hand, are allowed much greater leeway to “explore” their sexuality. Women need to be held to account for this double standard as they’ve exploited it.
hephaestion
I am so happy for Ricky! God bless you Ricky. Keep up the good work in the fight against human trafficking. You have a very beautiful soul and the entire world is now ready to hear your truth and learn from it. Dios te bendiga.
D'oh, The Magnificent
@jason: THe movie industry is far more homophobic than music. We at least know of singers who are out. It is harder for actors to be out with the way the industry assumes that they can’t bring in the box office. There are out actors. And the public seems accepting of them. but the industry assumes that the public won’t accept them and makes it harder on actors.
jason
Just in follow-up to my previous post, note how, like George Michael, Ricky’s videos and stage performances had him cavorting with half-naked females. Didn’t he think that this was wrong, not only from the sexist angle but also from the dishonesty angle?? Enquiring minds wish to know, Ricky.
Again, my point about the music industry stands. It’s extremely homophobic towards male homosexuality. It “heterosexualizes” male artists.
AlwaysGay
Wonderful! Welcome. We’ve had three famous gay men (Sean Hayes, The Amazing Randi, and Ricky Martin) come out in a short amount of time.
Gorbeh
Yay!
CONVERSATION CHAMBER
Oh Jason, get off your makeshift highhorse. Seriously. There’s nothing more annoying than cyber militants.
aalan brickman
stop the hate already!! this is a big decision for anybody..the message to gay teenagers thinking of taking their lives is very inspiring..accept it for that…..
missanthrope
I forgot this guy even existed. This was the worst kept secret ten years ago. But good for him coming out.
aalan brickman
direct you’re energy towards the ex gays ..they are shameful….not Ricky….
King
they must have caught him having a gay orgie with his fans to come out when no cares. plus he trying to sell his raging gay homographie.
The Artist
Good 4 him. Now leave him alone. Spread the word. PEACELUVNBWILD!
Kieran
Congratulations Ricky on choosing integrity over fear. Now you are not only the pride of the Puerto Rican community, you’re the pride of the Gay community as well. You are so right when you say, “Acceptance has to come from within”. By coming out today who knows how many thousands of others around the world you will have helped to accept the truth about who they are? Who knows how many young gay lives may be saved (literally) because of your courageous public announcement today? A Joyful and Happy Easter to you and your family.
james p. p.
who is this person? what has he done in the past 10 years? travel around the world searching for himself.
oh brother.
gay teenagers know William Hung’s “She Bangs” more than they know who Ricky Martin is.
THAT BEING SAID… it’s nice he came out… congrats. and good for him for not waiting until he was 70 or on his deathbed. way to show Barbara Walters!
i’m anxious to see what he does from this point forward… and yes it’s great to have him (officially).
jeffree
@D’oh, The Magnificent: Don’ t attack those who come out or are coming out in their own way.. There’s no one way to do it.
(course its prob better NOT 2 whine when u do like —- —– did recently)
The whole DEFINITION of “out” is still
debatable……
D'oh, The Magnificent
@jeffree: For the mentally retarded, let me repeat what I just wrote along this thread. When people come out when should praise that. I praise Martin coming out. However, for those who don’t come out, we should not praise that as some virtue. Its not. It is the closet. Thus, I can praise him coming out while condemning the closet he was in before hand without the moral relativism you tried to pretend is a virtue.
Davem
I’m glad you came out… this is a happy day for all of us who are homosexual. I wish you much love and happiness with your children.
fredo777
@Turi:
“A successful man with a beautiful, loving family comes out.
Not even the most jaded of you can hate on this one.”
You would think that, but some of them will certainly try. It’s really quite pathetic.
Anyway, I wish Ricky + his family the best.
Kerry Michael Warren
Dear Ricky
It’s always been clear to me that you are stunningly beautiful Spirit. How I am left by this news is really, what a sad commentary on the world consciousness that you EVER had to, for one moment, hide your true nature. I am so proud of you!
Namaste
Kerry 🙂
Tylertime
Once again a celeb comes out when they are irrelevant. Betcha he is working on a book and wants to drum up interest.
Ken412
It is 2010 and not 1991 when I came out at 20. Ricky and I are the same age. Nobody applauded me and congratulated me yet I came out at a time when there were no role models and it was harder to come out. I don’t understand how Ricky coming out now along with Sean Hayes, George Michael, et. al. coming out after their careers peaked help teens. It basically sends a message to young people to lie for years and not accept who they are. Start applauding the every day people who come out. They are are the true heroes who deserve accolades. A celeb with millions of dollars in the bank and who most likely lives or has access to gay meccas like LA and NYC don’t have it as hard as people on here make it sound.
Tom
What an inspirational, touching piece of writing. As a gay man, I know that we all come to our “public announcement” in due time, which differs for all us ( and for some, the time never comes). The reality is that the world will go on, and Ricky Martin is the same person he was a week ago, a month ago, and a year ago. Just that we now know something more about him. I am very touched by his letter, and wish him and his family peace and contentment.
D'oh, The Magnificent
@Ken412: I agree that every day people with much more at stake are to be applauded. It’s unfortunate that this is not the society we live in.
Peter
Should we set him up with Adam Lambert or George Michael?
Colby
Am I the only one who has noticed that when Lance Bass, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert and Sean Hayes came out they were all blasted for taking so long and all accept Hayes were under 30, yet Ricky for the most part is being praised and he is approaching 40?
I have been out for 15 years and I have noticed that good looks have power, but come on guys! Even when it comes to coming out do looks matter? Ricky fits the more typical gay look that men desire more than Lance et. al. and I think that has a lot to do with how his coming out is being received.
If Ricky weren’t as “hot” I don’t think the homos here would be so congratulatory.
Eric
As always, nice snarky headline, Queerty… Congrats Mr. Martin on breaking free.
Suzygoo
Coming out is a process-although Girlfriend Martin has publicly come out-he will continue to do so for the rest of his life-Folks will forget that he is gay and he will still have to remind them. Now I have to go listen to Livin’ La Vida Local!
fredo777
@Colby: Personally, I don’t give a shit what he looks like as relates to him coming out because I’m fairly certain he’s already in a relationship. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t really matter.
As for the people claiming he’s no longer “relevant”, it’s already been said more than once that he is still doing well in other markets. The United States isn’t the only place that is relevant, people. And he should be commended not b/c he came out in your approved time frame, but b/c he did so. As anyone else should. Get over yourselves.
Norm
Good on you…. Takes guts to FINALLY do something like this. Althou we all in the know knew and held the secret with him. Glad we can all tell the truth = I support others who feel they have to stay in the closet but I also say “Go for it.. you feel much better being yourself to everyone, most importantly true to yourself”
Norm
Good on you…. Takes guts to FINALLY do something like this. Althou we all in the know knew and held the secret with him. Glad we can all tell the truth =) I support others who feel they have to stay in the closet but I also say “Go for it.. you feel much better being yourself to everyone, most importantly true to yourself”
hannah
That was really nice.
Marty
If Ricky’s not “relevant” and his coming out doesn’t matter, then God help the rest of you gay nobodies….be thankful somebody as “irrelevant” as Ricky is making the kind of headlines most of you dare to dream about. I mean really, bitter much?
Bill Perdue
It’s never too late.
D'oh, The Magnificent
@Marty: The sad thing is you think you are helping your case by calling people nobody. It doesn’t. It just serves to illustrate the mindset that he’s special when in fact while I like him as singer, he still should be treated as everyone else. If I had a friend coming out in his late 30s when I have known him for years, I would have said “I am happy you did so, but damn, it took you forever.” They are “nobodies” to you too. That does not change the response.
Mary Taylor
Great news, and he looks great with his kids.
afrolito
Kudos to Ricky for finally owning his truth. His words seem heartfelt, and I hope he thrives.
Matteo
He has a BOOK TO SELL! It’s not courage when you are selling something. At least he wasn’t forced out after being arrested like George Micheal. But he’s nowhere as courageous as Ellen or Dan Choi.
CONVERSATION CHAMBER
I have to wonder if Ricky were 100 lbs. heavier, balding and had gaped teeth, if this post would have 1/2 as many comments and debate. If there would be as many people congratulating him for his honestly…cheering that we have another one on our “team”…or scorning him for not doing it sooner for the sake of all the gay kids of the world who supposedly need a celebrity role model.
It’s good that he came out, the same way it’s good for any one to. It’s a weight lifted off his shoulders, and I’m sure wherever he is, he probably feels twenty pounds lighter. But the over analyzing is a bit preposterous to me. Everyone comes out it in their own time, and there is no specified window of time to do it in, so long as it gets done. We shouldn’t expect Ricky (or any other “hot” celebrity) to have done it any sooner than the average Joe (and most of us probably don’t care when the average Joe does it), or hold his homosexuality up as some sort of gold standard — with an extra set of rules, obligations…and special powers.
Maybe he was protecting his image/career by not revealing this when he was at his commercial peak, and expected to sell a mainstream image and product. So what? He has as much a right to protect his personal interests as anyone else does. It was ultimately his decision. Not every gay person (even if they’re famous) is obligated to be political, socio-political, or a foot soldier for “the cause.” It’s a little [I]too[/I] easy for spectators to want to narrate how other people should manage living, when it isn’t their lives and livelihood (or potential fallout) directly in question. And again, I have to wonder if this post would be as active if he looked like, say, John Goodman.
Edfu
He’s going to star next year on Broadway in a revival of “Evita,” playing the Che Guevara role.
D'oh, The Magnificent
@CONVERSATION CHAMBER: So you are saying when I thought Rosie O’Donnel should have come out earlier than she did that’s because I as a gay man was secretly attracted to her?
Who knew I was bi.
You know what I am wondering. How many times your time of projection on to others will be posted whenever someone comes out.
If I want to have sex, I will go on a Manhunt, not fantasize about sex with some celebrity.
Cam
He didn’t decide, if you read the BBC he didn’t come out because it would have been bad for his career. People on here are saying that “People come out at their own pace”. They are confusing the struggle everybody goes through to come out, with people in the entertainment industry who are out, live as gay, but just lie about it whenever they are talking to a magazine. There isn’t an emotional struggle, they’ve already gone through accepting who they are, they’re just lying about it at that point. Additionally, if he stayed closeted for his career, just how much did staying in the closet help his career in the past 10 years?
SoWhat?
@Tylertime: You’re right. He is working on his memoirs, and on two records. Kind of tough to write memoirs if he hadn’t admit who he is, right? So yeah, there’s a big commercial element to all this positive development. His career may not be over in Latin America, as someone pointed out here, but it is in the English-speaking world, which he always wanted to conquer. When you’ve made all the money in the world you can make and then some, have a bf, kids, houses in New York, L.A. and Puerto Rico, you really have nothing to lose and a lot to gain in terms of publicity and maybe kick-starting a moribund career.
chris
You know, a lot of celebrities have come out and, yes, their careers suffered, but they came back – or didn’t let it stop them. Rosie, Ellen, Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John are a few examples that stand out.
The point is that his career will suffer only as much as he lets it happen. He can run and hide, or he can tell the world, “Fuck off. I’m not going anywhere.”
Good for him for coming out. It’s too bad that in 2010 it’s still a big deal.
We have to support our fellow gays, and stop beating them up by saying that they took too long, or they have an agenda, like a book to sell. If he was still in the closet and releasing a book, you’d all be complaining anyway.
D'oh, The Magnificent
@jeffree: At this point I think you have a problem with nuance and reading comprehension.
SoWhat?
@Ken412: Bravo. Well said.
D'oh, The Magnificent
@Cam: It is interesting how the one size fit all rule they are trying to enforce about privacy gives cover to some very suspect motives.
dvlaries
39 is still brave to do it. At least he didn’t wait till his seventies like Richard Chamberlain, when nobody cared, and Shogun/Thorn Bird-leading man parts weren’t be gambled by any confession.
What would be surreal is if Anderson Cooper now interviews Martin on this topic.
Antonio
BRAVO Ricky!!! Todo el mundo esta comentando!!! all over the world I must say!!!! GOOOD FOR YOU!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!
Cam
Typical. He’s promoting a book and nobody would have done the interview if he didn’t have anything juicy to tell. So he stays in to further his career, now when that career is basically over he comes out to try to squeeze a few more dollars out of his career. Hell, at least when Clay Aiken did it he said he did it for his son, Martin is still doing it for the almighty dollar.
Kim
Well his career is over Latin America will not accept him Mark my words
OrchidIslander
…a lot of the posters here give credence to the bitchy queen stereotype.
A man comes of age and does what he feels he must to live openly and honestly. It is his life and his timetable, not yours.
How cynical or jaded must one be to not see the positive in his actions?
No wonder so many of us feel a disconnect and distance with “the gay community….”
Count Chocula
@ NO. 111 Orchardislander…
Really? Is that it? Because I certainly get the impression that the “gay community” does its very best to disconnect itself from anyone it doesn’t want to be a part of the community. The bitch queens you are referring to are simply telling the truth. You apparently can’t deal with it.
Cam
No. 111 · OrchidIslander
…a lot of the posters here give credence to the bitchy queen stereotype.
A man comes of age and does what he feels he must to live openly and honestly. It is his life and his timetable, not yours.
How cynical or jaded must one be to not see the positive in his actions?
___________________
Sorry P.R. Plant, but His “Timetable” wasn’t about coming out, He’s been out in his personal life for over a decade. You talk about being “Cynical and Jaded”, well what is more cynical than his staying in the closet publicly for his career (Which he admitted) and then only coming out to get some publicity for a book he’s writing? That is the most cynical and jaded action possible. Take a look at that girl from Mississippi and the boy from GA being harrassed because they want to go to their prom. Sorry, but when you put them next to Ricky Martin only one of them comes off as cynical, Jaded, and manipulative.
Jason
I am glad that he finally came out. It is an act of strength and liberation.
Also, the sun rises in the east.
Lamar
Jeez man can’t we just be happy for the guy, wouldn’t you criticize him more if he had died without coming out, save your hate for the breeders that kept him in!
Prof. O. G. Whataschnozell
If my calculations are correct Bow Wow should be next to come out.
Cam
No. 115 · Lamar said..
save your hate for the breeders that kept him in!
__________
Ahhh, the old “Nothing is my fault” line. So, he’s mature and responsi le enough to run his own finances and have children, but he didn’t come out because the evil breeders wouldn’t let him.
CHIEFSSRSHA
To those who are bitchin’ about Rick; FUCK OFF!!! If you had bothered to read the ENTIRE thing, you would have known his reasons! Whatever it is that makes these Stonewall queens talk shit–it should be pulled out their ass! We the young generation get it; you are heroic pioneers but its time you passed the torch to the next generation of queers, a generation that is going to revolutionize what or who is gay. I must declare the queeny gays are over. They give more grief than a straight wife. JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!
And oh Ricky, Congratulations by the way. Welcome to the Lavender brotherhood! Do not listen to these objects on here proclaiming all kinds of certainties they know nothing of! The Fools!
Cam
No. 118 · CHIEFSSRSHA
To those who are bitchin’ about Rick; FUCK OFF!!! If you had bothered to read the ENTIRE thing, you would have known his reasons! Whatever it is that makes these Stonewall queens talk shit–it should be pulled out their ass! We the young generation get it; you are heroic pioneers but its time you passed the torch to the next generation of queers, a generation that is going to revolutionize what or who is gay. I must declare the queeny gays are over. They give more grief than a straight wife. JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!
____________________
Your your comment is basically saying that the young gay generation will revolutionize things by sending everybody back into the closet. Because that is all you are defending here. The fact that you are SO angry about this seems a bit weird. Here is somebody who stayed closeted to make money and now comes out to increase book sales to make money. Why are you freaking out so much defending the fact that he stayed in the closet a decade past his expiration date as a celeb? Whats your personal stake in all of this? Because frankly your post makes no sense.
fredo777
@Cam: “Here is somebody who stayed closeted to make money and now comes out to increase book sales to make money”
You are just illustrating exactly what was said about making accusations based on your own cynical assumptions. Unless you’re in his head or heart, you don’t know for a fact why he decided to publicly come out.
Jonathan
@Mark Alexander:
That is an understatement. Catty queens are everywhere. Try Advocate.com and read THOSE comments, much worse than here.
Normally, catty bitches are just uninteresting and boring.
Ricky Martin had every right to come out when he wanted to.
Everyone criticizing him can fuck off, you’re not his critics nor his conscience. It was a great statement and a fine way to come out. Bravo!
fix
@Dick: Please it is so!
ewe
Can we please move on? Thank you.
Ken Hooper
Ricky, Good for you and beautifully written. I just came out 2 years ago, and a 20 year marriage. Father of 2 that have now turned their backs on me. I can totally relate to the inner feelings you expressed.Love you now and forever,
Jamie
@jason:
George Michael actually said in a 2004 interview with GQ magazine that he is sexually attracted to women and would definately have sex with women if he wasn’t in a relationship. But since he defines his sexuality by his romantic attractions, he identifies as gay because he is only romantically attracted to men. I think Ricky is probably a little bisexual too.
JoeyB
@fredo777: Yeah, let’s ask the real father of his children, Mexican Eduardo Verastegui. Maybe Ricky will talk about this in his memoirs. Or not.
JoeyB
@dvlaries: Haha, what a joke, Anderson Cooper coming out. That’ll be the day…
JohnnyCock
Is he cut, uncut? Is he a bttm? A top?
Dubai-Boy!
I met him in Caribbean and he was doin a couple of hot HOT Colombian females species. Methinks the lad is bored. Why not try some boy booty? lol!
Cam
No. 120 · fredo777
@Cam: “Here is somebody who stayed closeted to make money and now comes out to increase book sales to make money”
You are just illustrating exactly what was said about making accusations based on your own cynical assumptions. Unless you’re in his head or heart, you don’t know for a fact why he decided to publicly come out.
_____________________
What I do now is that he has a book to promte and has mentioned the book in both his coming out and the interviews since. How coincidental of him to do that if he wasn’t hoping to increase sales. Nice of him to come out, but he hasn’t put out a CD in English or Spanish in years, now has a new project coming out and decides to come out at the same time….do you really believe that it never occured to him that this would be a great way to refocus attention and press on him? Just because somebody is still famous for what they did in the past won’t sell books, Madonna, Janet Jackson, even Michael Jackson before he died, have all seen their sales plummet and yet they are still famous. Martin was smart, he drummed up some new publicity to stir up interest in his book.
Cam
No. 129 · Dubai-Boy!
I met him in Caribbean and he was doin a couple of hot HOT Colombian females species. Methinks the lad is bored. Why not try some boy booty? lol!
_____________________
Yeeeeeaaaaahhh, because some closet case is going to admit to some fan he’s never met before in the Caribean that he’s gay.
Ion
Give him a break!
No one has to say to anyone his gay. It is his personal PERSONAL life, end of story. No one has to “enter” in his life and judge him. Did this “title” change something in your lifes?
Do you loved his songs? Then listen to them and don’t judge. Be proud that in you lifetime a man like him sang for you and for us. Concerning someone’s personal life it’s awful.
I love him the way he was and I love him the way he is and for sure I will love Ricky Martin.
From Romania with love to Ricky Martin.
fredo777
@Cam: Yawn.
Is it at all possible that some of the things in said book might give more insight into his sexuality or at the least hint at it? Either way, it would have made plain good sense to come out before the book’s release.
Cam
No. 132 · Ion
Give him a break!
No one has to say to anyone his gay. It is his personal PERSONAL life, end of story. No one has to “enter” in his life and judge him. Did this “title” change something in your lifes?
___________________
You’re confusing “Who he’s fucking” with “What he is”. He is asking us to buy his book. He is selling his “Personal Life”. So he is asking us to “Enter” his life. If you don’t want us commenting on it, why don’t you call your good friend Ricky and tell him to stop giving interviews and issuing press releases.
NotWhatYouThink
Dear sirs, I am always amazed at the naivete of audiences everywhere, how gullible they are when it comes to their “stars”, and particularly in the States. The straights did not keep Ricky Martin in the closet; he and his assistant Joselo chose to do so. Things started to change however when Joselo began dating a man in Argentina and brought him to the States. Ricky did the same thing a while back with a fellow named Danny, his drum player from Cuba. Ricky set him up on Collins Avenue and gave him and job and then went back to Cuba for the guy’s relatives. At the time, Cuban press made a note of it, something not common in that country’s state-controlled media. But the U.S. missed the ball on that one, or pretended, once again, to look the other way. His reps at Sony Music said it was a lie fabricated by Cuba, and placed Ricky in Tibet. In the end, of course, it was all spinning and covering up. The guy eventually broke Ricky’s heart because he was allegedly “straight” and had a girlfriend. Ricky chose to live a life of deceit and subterfuge for many many years, all the way back from Menudo. Menudo had its own scandal when founder and director Edgardo Diaz was accused by some parents and Menudo members of sexually abusing the children. One of those children that were supposedly abused, and became Diaz’s favorite? Ricky Martin. And where did Mr. Diaz used to vacation? Thailand. You do the math. Ricky was romantically involved with one of the Menendez brothers, two Cuban American rich boys who brutally murdered their parents. The father was a music executive, and a friend of Ricky’s. At the time, Ricky was about to appear in an American soap opera, and was summoned to court to testify. His testimony was kept private and no cameras allowed. The scandal’s potential was so big that it could’ve destroyed his career right then and there. This was all documented in a book about the trial. With more than 80 million dollars in the bank account, homes in L.A., Miami,, NY (a $27 million apt.) and Puerto Rico’s exclusive Dorado area, he only came out for two reasons: because he was about to be exposed, and because, since he is planning on coming out with two albums later this year and a book, he knew the line of questioning regarding his children and the alleged true paternity by Mexican actor/singer turned anti-gay activist Eduardo Verastegui, was going to be the only thing reporters wanted to talk about. NO ONE cares about him anymore in artistic or music terms, not here, not in Latin America. He has become irrelevant in today’s musical landscape, thus he had NOTHING to lose by announcing his homosexuality and on his terms. Except of course, being caught in the lie by papparazzi who have had incriminating photos of him for quite some time. Even TIME magazine confirmed that they knew about his homosexuality, and had graphic proof, years ago when the publication put him on the cover. In the end, however, the magazine decided to continue playing the “is he or isn’t he” campaign. Yes, it is good that he has come out, at long last. And for that he should be commended, not vilified. But please, don’t think it was all for altruistic reasons. There’s so much behind this. Remember: celebrities calculate to the smallest detail every single business and artistic decision they make. Nothing, nothing happens by chance. Unless, of course, you get caught by someone else or make a stupid mistake, like when Ricky Martin told Blender magazine he liked golden showers. This at the time when he was promoting one of his children initiatives for the Ricky Martin Foundation. In media, Ricky’s homosexuality was the worse kept secret. Everyone knew, and everyone colluded with him.
jae oh
@Jamie:
you think hes bisexual?
why?
thats such a middle American naive thing to say… if this wasnt a gay site id say your a straight person who cant accept someone is gay.. but im guessing youre just gay and retarded?
Carol
Health Care Reform had to pass first. and NOW: the gay agenda! yay!!
DX
@NotWhatYouThink: If you don’t watch out, you’ll give yourself a hernia. Why don’t you channel your rage towards something that actually matters? That would be constructive.
Mark
@D’oh, The Magnificent: And if someone decides to never come out, that is their decision. It is of no consequence and not yours nor anyone’s to judge them for a personal decision. That’s called freedom.
onCloud9
@DX: what a moron you are dude.