Ricky Martin: “I am a fortunate homosexual man”

Singer Ricky Martin came out today, in a statement posted to his website:

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.

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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 were 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
a 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.