"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," Martin wrote in a blog posting on www.rickymartinmusic.com.
The Puerto Rican singer of hits such as "Livin' la Vida Loca," has long been the subject of speculation but has never publicly commented about his sexuality.
The 38-year-old who became a father to twin sons via a surrogate in 2008 wrote in his blog post dated Mar 29: "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 were born with."
In his posting, he said a few months ago he had decided to write a memoir and doing so brought him closer to what he called "an amazing turning point in my life."
"Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And this is something worth celebrating," he wrote.
Martin said he decided years ago to not share "my entire truth" with the world because people he loved warned him that "everything you've built will collapse."
"Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage," he wrote. "Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions."
"Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen five 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."
The singer began his career with boy band Menudo and broke out as a solo artist and teen idol in the 1990s in Spanish-speaking countries.
He released his first, English-language album in 1999, the self-titled Ricky Martin, which saw two major hits, "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "She's All I Ever Had."
In 2002, Martin established the Ricky Martin Foundation to advocate for the well -being of children around the globe in critical areas such as social justice, education, health, and to seek the elimination of human trafficking especially children.
The English version of his post titled “En los últimos meses me di a la tarea de escribir mis memorias”:
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 this is 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.
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
Reader's Comments
btw, you have 2 beautiful children!
this part of article's title 'finally' it's so funny haha
also... HE IS SO FUCKIN TASTY SINGLE BABY DADDY! hahahahaha
best wishes for you Ricky.
Whao !!!
ok ricky, now go back to your cave coz u r not interesting anymore...moving on...next! who? ryan seacrest?
Way to go Ricky!!
well good for Ricky, obviously he wanted to make this statement, though i'd have the same respect for him as an artist and human being if he never did...we're in a (predominantly) straight world, and i fully understand any misgivings he might have had over the years to come out to the entire planet.
hmmm not sure if I agree with that statement Ricky. That weight on your shoulders, the "fear and insecurity" could have been lifted years ago. All those secret rendezvous with men and healthy relationships forfeited. For someone so talented I really don't think it would have made a difference to your career.
I love Ricky!!!
everyone already sensed but...
he did it at last!!!
oh my
When you decided to shake your butt like there is no tomorrow on stage...
We know that you are gay!
We are proud of you Ricky!!!!
Enjoy your Stay Ricky Martin.. ♥
Who is next? thinking..... me?
i believe his coming out means a lot, and it will contribute to reduce prejudice against gay people.
it would be nice to hear him sing songs about fatherly love.
he bang he bang
lol
salute u Ricky
How graceful :)
Dan L. "Fierce Wild Tiger" Wilson
Middletown,Connecticut,USA
Congratz Man =]
U the MAN!! hahaha
hmm he was sexy..
But it is not shocking anyway. Some people already knows. LoL.
Glad that one more gay successful star is gay! :P
Gesture n Body language can't lie , They speak that He is totally "one"
Well, I can tell you that the reaction in Ireland today was a resounding: "And? So what?"
The Public here found the whole fuss to be rather amusing. Then again, although Ireland is hardly a gay oasis of acceptance, homosexuality is not any issue here any more - for example, last Friday night, Westlife were on Irish TV's biggest programme, with its gay member being congratulated on being engaged to his BF (who, in the pic that was flashed up on screen, is a hot young blonde guy, by the way). When you get a large studio audience - largely made up of traditional country farmers and elderly people and Mammies and priests and all sorts of respectable, ordinary people - applauding a gay guy on being engaged to another man, it's pretty much a sign that being gay is very much a 'So What' thing in Ireland now.
My point? Hope other people reading this Aside here can get to that stage too, in their lives, countries, societies and cultures, so that you don't 'need' some kind of faded pop star to help pave the way....
I had never given any thought or question if he is a homosexual or a heterosexual, I have more important things to be curious about. That being said, now that we know he is gay, he is pretty darn handsome.
We should celebrate support whenever anyone takes the courage to "come out", and not judge them for timing. We do not know what someone's life is like unless we live it.
Why must we be such bitches at times? Congrats Ricky, you did it your way and that is great!!!
'You can fantasize about me any way you like.'
I've used it occasionally myself.
Personally, I think he, like many others, would have found it easier to come out if people (both gay and straight) didn't care whether he was gay or not. The 'one of us' or 'one of them' mentality isn't helpful and it should be his music that matters, not who he sleeps with.
All the best for Ricky Martin, his kids and his really handsome man! :D
Wishes for the babies!
YEAH! No one believed he was straight any way we all knew it. On the net there was always stuff saying he was homosexual some really funny caricatures too, now I hardly applaud his 'coming out' he built his career under the supposed cloak of heterosexuality (while fooling few no doubt) like Elton John came out in kinder times after 'making it' so why applaud them it's no big deal, the real heroes are those living their lives 'out' every day in ordinary jobs living with authenticity amongst their fellow citizens with less of the protections given to the wealthy or celebrities, he is a cutie though I wish he makes a professional come back
It's good for others to see such people first as musicians, actors, sportsmen, parents, and all these things that they are, without just focussing on the "dirty fag" aspect.
And then, when these people finally come out, they can continue to be viewed, without too much fuss, as talented musicians, responsible fathers, etc. who "also happen to be gay, by the way".
Had Ricky come out up-front years ago, he would now be "that perverted fagboy who has just produced kids through unnatural sex and who also pretends to sing".
People are free to come out as early as they wish, certainly. But it also helps to have some of the "delayed" type, especially among the celebrity class, to condition the public to focus on the "whole person" aspect and realize that the "gay" bit is just one aspect of the person, not the only one.
and proud of it;)
anyway, coming out is so easy
but getting the twins up and ready for kindergarten in the morning with well packed lunches and off in nice clothes and smiles is real work and then I have to be on time for my own presentation at work
kudos to the Ricky and his kids, Gay Dads Rock!
Gaydar or something?
it's will be amazing,, :)
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