Marquise posted this on the main board in a discussion of Evita, and it seems to be needed here, as well:
"It's funny how most on this board seem to believe the english speaking recording market is the center of the universe as far as recorded music goes.
Ricky Martin's recording career has never derailed. He has continued making great music. He has continued to sell millions of records and sell out concerts despite what those on here choose to believe.
His personal life is his personal life and there are those that take issue with how he is handling it but at the end of the day it is HIS life and none of our business and we have no say so in the matter. But to judge someone's talent solely on how someone chooses to live their life is ridiculous.
His music has always been supported. He still has an immensely strong following in a career that has spanned some 20+ years.
Those of you who clearly know him as "that guy who sang Livin' La Vida Loca" have no idea what you are talking about.
The Latino community has always supported Ricky Martin, is music and his unselfish humanitarian efforts and he will always be a source of pride for us."
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
"Namo and Pal, I agree with you. Even today, even when everyone supposedly knows or assumes, this is still a big deal. I am totally out to everyone I know, but when I go to the airport, or out to dinner, or anywhere in public, none of the strangers I encounter know anything about me. (And I like it that way). It's not the same for people like Ricky, NPH, etc. Being out publicly is very different."
Totally agree! Even when it seems so obvious, I still absolutely commend the people who take the leap and come out publicly. It may be obvious, but that doesn't make it easy.
All these people recently coming out so long after the fact though really does make me appreciate people like Adam Lambert all the more. Because I'm sure it's not an easy step to take an ANY point, to come out publicly. But to do it from the very beginning, in a culture where that's still practically unheard of? It really IS taking a risk! Again, it may seem so obvious, but.. there's a reason most people DON'T come out right at the beginning of their career, if ever. And so I just think it's really awesome to think that there might be a new generation of gay entertainers coming along who just... put it all out there from the very beginning. That's how it SHOULD be!
Aaanyway, congrats to Rickey! Very cool, and he seems like a great guy :)
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.
I totally understand what you guys are saying. I can't relate to the whole coming out thing though, so I'm just happy for him that he feels comfortable doing it now. Good for him.
Sad for the females of the world, but good for him.
I swear, I had immediate flashbacks to freshman year of high school making up dances to "Livin' La Vida Loca".
But good for him to coming out on his own terms in his own way. However, I can hardly believe this is the real news. God forbid the news would mention something real--like, I don't know....healthcare....
Why yes, Nathan is - and we know this because he finally acknowledged it publicly, just like Ricky just did. Whatever 'those in the know' might think, it DOES make a difference when it is PUBLICLY stated.
And this one is huge, in my mind, because of the continuing support and respect he maintains within the latino community - which traditionally skews rather conservative.
We live in a time when a Mexican national polititian can actually go on record as stating that she would rather see a child DIE than be adopted by a gay couple. If Ricky can be a source of inspiration and encouragement within that community, it will be a huge service.
On a personal level for him, I'm very admiring of him wanting an honest environment for his children. That's something that could be seen as rare these days - no matter who the parents are.
Exactly, Q. To put it another way, imagine waking up every morning and putting on an "I Am Gay" tee-shirt before leaving the house. That is what it is like for these people. And I guarantee you, not every reaction they get is "good for you!", even in 2010.
Alter - do you live under a rock? Do you honestly believe this battle isn't still being faught? If you want to know why it's a big deal, go ask the Georgia honors high school student who just got kicked out of his family home because of his coming out. And yes, he did it recently - that's in 2010.
Ricky's statement, which I like a lot:
" 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.
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."
I'm happy he's finally embraced his sexuality but on the other hand I've always respected his decision not to comment on the issue because after all he really doesn't owe anyone any explanations or verification on his sexual orientation. All he ever owed us as his fans is to share with us his talent.
As a man of puerto rican descent I totally relate to Ricky's decision to keep quiet about his homosexuality. I grew up in the South Bronx and coming out and stating you were gay was just something you did not do especially in the 1980's with the stigma of AIDS attached to it.
I was extremely closeted to the point that whatever homosexual feelings I had were literally ignored and pushed deep down inside out of fear of being rejected by my friends and family. I didn't want to be the subject of ridicule and scorn amongst my peers.
I lived in total denial, to the point that I dated girls, had sex with them and at the age of 20 got engaged to be married and then it hit me. Was it fair to this woman? Was it fair to marry her, eventually have a family with her and then somewhere down the road come out and potentially cause unnecessary harm to her and my family? My conscience would not allow me to do this.
I was letting other people dictate how I should live my life and deep down inside this is not what I wanted. Don't get me wrong, I did love her, I loved her enough not to hurt her and lead her into a marriage that essentially would be a lie. So I broke off the engagement. I never told her the real reason, all I said was that I felt I was too young to make the commitment and I needed time to find myself.
It was easy to hide my homosexuality because I didn't fit the "stereotype" (for lack of a better word) of a gay man. I was never one to queen out and I don't have an effeminate personality so unless I told anyone no one was the wiser. It was easy for me to pass as straight without any problems.
Six months after I broke off the engagement I had my first real encounter with another man and I knew it was right and I was happy and I was ready to share it with those who were closest to me. I was very fortunate that my family never, ever turned their backs on me. They love me unconditionally. It's the best thing I've ever done. I slowly started to really embrace the part of me I stifled for al those years. I found my gay self and suddenly I could listen to my Barbra Streisand records without shame!!!
Two years ago I got a nice surprise....I was not alone. My younger brother Michael came out to me. I have a gay brother. It was not easy for us but we are both happy. I'm so proud of him and his boyfriend Lawrence, they both live together in the West Village and I am so proud of him.
Anyway sorry for the long post.....just thought I'd share.
Hey, I've come a loooong way....who would've ever thought I would have used a That Girl logo as an avatar. Never in a million years. Never say never!
