Ricky Martin, Latin popstar, actor and father of twins, has today confirmed long-running rumors that he is a gay man. On his personal blog on his official website, Ricky opens up about his decision to announce to the world that he is a “proud … homosexual man”. I, for one, am thrilled!! Anytime a person finds the strength within themselves to open up about something so personal on a large public scale there is much cause for celebration! Here is the full text of Ricky‘s blog announcement:
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. 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.
Ricky‘s blogpost announcement continues, after the jump …
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.
RM
This is just fantastic news!! I am so happy for Ricky. I know he will be much happier being open and honest about who he is … surely, his sons will benefit from his decision to come out. Secrets can be very harmful … teaching his sons that being proud of who you are is a very valuable lesson that will serve them well as they grow and mature. Well done, Ricky!! You have legions of people supporting your decision to come out :) Woot!!
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though i am not surprised it was a beautifuly writing coming out.
wow and no one ever knew it.
this just in…everybody poops but not one gives a sh*t
Not a big shock just a shame cause he is really hot lol i have been seeing him since like i was 10 years old he was big here in latin america long before he was big in USA im just happy that he came out lol
The first step is admitting you have a problem.
Tell us when you do, Anon.
Congrats to Ricky! For a lot of people it may be easy to come out, no big deal, but it wasn’t at all for me either. Now he’ll know who truly loves Ricky for who he is, all of him! The ones that can’t handle it will no longer take up space in his life. Straight people never have to announce their sexuality, so it’s easy for some of them to say, “what’s the big deal?” It takes a lot of guts to speak out for who you are, when you’re different from the status quo, & now he’ll find he’s not alone at all. Welcome out! Welcome to your life!
Eres valiente y espiritual. En El Salvador, Centro América, te amamos.
Good for you, Ricky!
Ricky! What ever you are selling, and I’m sure you’re selling something, I’m not buying it.
* yawn *
Good for him!! Honestly should be applauded. As for all the people that say so what and they knew already, well that may be the case, but perhaps that made this step harder for him. Well done Ricky! Enjoy your freedom. :-)
I my self didn’t come out til I was 28 or 29 and we all do it at our own time. No this is not shocking news, but he could have stayed closeted forever like many people do…
Um, not a massive shock at all! when I was 8 and ” she bangs” came on tv I said to my mom ” he’s gay”.
Good for him anyways.
Here on the local spanish radio station I could not believe how many people were just bashing him. as someone else posted, latin america is much more homophobic than we are, he above all people understands that, and i admire him so much more for coming out.
@dclover — I’m always very disgusted with how easy it is for minorities to hate other minorities. It’s just, gross.
I thought that was a beautiful statement. Good for him!
Trent–anyone hating anyone, minority or not, just because they are not carbon copies of themselves is disgusting. If the Latin community chooses not to embrace that wonderful, sweet, caring, (and very gorgeous) man, there are plenty of other places that will gladly do so. Loved him before his “announcement,” love him even more now.
@oneteacher — “anyone hating anyone, minority or not, just because they are not carbon copies of themselves is disgusting” yes, that should go without saying :(
Well…I thought it had been established he was gay about three years ago. Then again he always has half naked girls in his videos. Good for him, though!
In a way, I think its kinda sick that people have to live in denile of who they are. Its been pretty damn obvious that he isnt a straight man since forever. People realy shoulnt have to deny who they are attracted to, its a sad world we live in when “celebrities” or anyone for that matter have to blatently lie for years over their sexuality just to please everyone else, it goes to show what a sad fucked up world we live in, when you have to claim to be somthing your not, or deny yourself inner peace or happyness just because ignornet morons belive that you are any less of a person cause of your sexuality. I mean its a good thing that hes finaly came out, but realy he shouldnt of had to “cover” it up for as long as he did. But the sad thing is it just doesnt stop and start with sexuality, there are so many factors which will prevent you from been sucsessful if your not “normal” what ever the fuck normal is anyways. Sad times!
@katmoww — I wouldn’t necessarily call these “sad times”, on the contrary I’d say they are revolutionary times. More people are becoming comfortable with coming out and our country is on the verge of legalizing marriage-equality for everyone. It’s sad, yes, that there is still hatred and prejudice … but I’m very hopeful it will become the norm to be more accepting.
Oh, there is just no other subject that gets me going than this one—-for all of those people who imply that Ricky “owed” it to everyone to come out—it’s just such nonsense. We are not entitled to know anything of his private life unless he chooses to share it. I buy his records, concert tickets etc. because I love his music. He is entitled to his privacy and even more so now that he has those two beautiful boys to look after. That he did choose to share his private life should be applauded, it is an extremely difficult choice (unfortunately). As a mother of teenagers who have many openly gay friends, I have seen all too often the toll coming out can take on a person’s life—-I have seen parents disown their own children, prejudice in the workplace, and just all around cruelty when these brave people choose to accept and openly embrace who they are. It sickens me to no end. I do believe that you are right, Trent, that change is coming and for those who choose to deny that change and who choose to continue to hate, shame on them—perhaps when they become the minority, they will fully understand the impact of their negative words and actions.
And, Trent, it should also be noted that you provide such a positive role model for everyone–it’s why I come to your site instead of others. So, thanks for all that you do to foster a positive atmosphere and one that accepts everyone. :-)
Stepping down off my soapbox for now.
I agree with ‘oneteacher’ – RM didn’t have to come out openly to everyone. What he did took lots of courage, and now he’s setting a good example to his boys.
It’s one thing to come out to friends and family, but quite another to come out to everyone, some of who might not take the news so well.
Kudos to you and everyone else who lives their life honestly and openly.