Ricky Martin Comes Out of the Closet

After years of speculation over his sexual orientation, Ricky Martin has come out of the closet in a posting on his official website (via TMZ). In a lengthy note to his fans published in Spanish and English, Martin says writing his memoirs got him “very close to my truth” and that hiding his sexuality any longer would “indirectly diminish the glow that my kids here born with,” referring to his twin sons, who were born in 2008 to a surrogate mother.

“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,” he writes, addressing inevitable questions about why he didn’t reveal his sexuality earlier.

In an August 1999 Rolling Stone cover story, Martin spoke about past loves and rumors that he wasn’t straight:

You know, the bigger you get, the more people talk about you. You’ve been frank about saying your music appeals to everybody, men and women. Maybe as a result of that there’ve been some rumors flying around about your sexuality.
Well, this is show business. It’s a lot of fantasy. You can fantasize whatever you want to be. You can fantasize however you want to [laughs]. Go for it. Be free about it. I’m not too concerned with what people say about me. You can think whatever you want. I know what I am, my beliefs, what I like and don’t like. As I just said, I have the need someday to have a family. And that’s something I’m going to go for. The people I care about know me. I’m happy.

Martin also told RS about a past girlfriend named Rebecca: “I need a woman who really knows how to take care of herself. She has a lot of class, and she’s brilliant, which turns me on. Rebecca is a very talented, focused woman who knows what she wants. The mother of my kids [laughs].”

The singer wraps today’s news post pride and relief. “Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution,” he writes. “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.”