Ricky Martin Comes Out: 'I Am a Fortunate Homosexual Man'

[alienlovechild 75]

After years of scrutiny about his sexuality, the Latino pop star declared on his official Web site today that he is "a fortunate homosexual man." Martin explained that he decided to make the announcement after musing about his memoirs and his year-and-a-half-old twin sons, whom he fathered through a surrogate mother in 2008.

"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," Martin wrote. "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."

Martin's declaration comes just weeks after Barbara Walters admitted she was wrong to question the singer aggressively about his sexuality during an interview 10 years ago.

"In 2000, I pushed Ricky Martinvery hard to admit if he was gay or not, and the way he refused to do it made everyone decide that he was," Walters told the Toronto Star earlier this month. "A lot of people say that destroyed his career, and when I think back on it now I feel it was an inappropriate question."

Martin, known for hip-shaking Latin pop hits like 1999's "Livin' La Vida Loca," was widely speculated to be gay during the height of his fame. In her 2000 interview, Walters told Martin, "You know, you could stop these rumors. You could say, as many artists have, 'Yes I am gay,' or you could say, 'No, I'm not,' or you could leave it, as you are, ambiguous. I don't want to put you on the spot, but it's

Martin declined to give Walters a direct answer and avoided discussion about his sexuality until now. Below, read the full text of Martin's statement, which was posted on his Web site in English and Spanish.

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.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ricky-martin-fortunate-homosexual-man/story?id=10234454

[Nagishkaw 510]

Im shocked.

[Danno 1,228]

What makes him a "fortunate homosexual"?

He has a clean AIDS check or maybe a strong sphincter muscle?

[Empress of Groovy 373]

What makes him a "fortunate homosexual"?

He has a clean AIDS check or maybe a strong sphincter muscle?

Somehow I knew you'd have a comment on this, Danno.

Always the epitome of class.

[dakay ♥ 10]

Finally he feels free to say it!

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Cool! Not maybe I have a shot lol

[peejay 327]

I saw that article on MSN.com. Already that was more than I wanted to know. And I definitely don't want to see any pics with his S/O or know the details of his gay life. Otherwise I wish him luck now that he got that tid-bit off of his chest.

[Danno 1,228]

Finally he feels free to say it!

... What was stopping him? it's 2010 people are coming out of the closet over more bizarre stuff than that now.

[Revenesque 2]

I KNEW it!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Who cares?

I am having pork chops for dinner with mashed potatoes, peas and some good bread. Then we are looking over paint colors to choose for our new house (Alla will choose )and then Alla will sleep next to me naked. Like I give a rat's patoot about Ricky Martin and who he sleeps with naked? I am a lucky heterosexual man.

[Calypso 464]

I used to sing his "Livin' la Vida Loca" in karaoke at home for fun when I was younger.

He feels fortunate because he can easily pick up guys that he likes to take home with him.

[Fandango 1,439]

He's gay?!?!?!!? NO WAI!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I shall remove the fading Menudo poster from my wall. Now it's just a cruel reminder of what shall never be...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

... What was stopping him? it's 2010 people are coming out of the closet over more bizarre stuff than that now.

Like reading World Nut Daily and The American Stinker? Yeah, that much more bizarre.

[thongd4me 69]

The question of orientation is becoming less and less of an issue, as has race,

when you compare how things are now to how things were during the time

when gay rights and civil rights for vocal minorities were in the headlines daily.

I try to go to the YMCA on workday mornings for a workout. I'm not sure who

is gay or not gay there and I couldn't care less. I have only seen so called

"inappropriate behavior" one time in around 10 years, so I wouldn't blame

the institution, only the individuals for that. I've made many friends there,

including one who had a MAJOR impact on my life. Both the staff and the

membership are very mixed regarding racial background, but that also

is a non-issue. In the men's locker room, you hear discussions about

current events, sports, business and approaches to exercise. I can't

speak for what goes on in the ladies'

FYI - that behavior was not directed at me, but was between 2 people

who should have known better in the steam room