Who new that Ricky Martin was jacking former Menudo bandmate Angelo Garcia’s swagger when he came out of the closet??? I sure didn’t! Turns out, the former Menudo member came out 2 months before Ricky in an interveiw with Paragon Men magazine which also featured an accompanying sexy, half-naked photoshoot of the former child star. But his coming out party was practically overlooked by the masses… That is until Ricky Martin came out. News outlets and bloggers who where Googling “Ricky Martin gay” started to stumble onto Garcia’s interview and began referring to him as “the other gay member of Menudo“. Way to steal this poor guys thunder, Ricky!! In a recent interview with The Advocate, Angelo revealed that the whole situation really bother him because some people adopted the misconception that he came out AFTER Ricky to garner some fame and attention towards his own career…

I spoke publicly about my sexuality two months before Ricky Martin formally came out. So for the media to try and twist this into, “ex-Menudo member follows Ricky’s footsteps,” it’s kind of mind-boggling. I might not have been the most famous member to come out, and maybe Ricky coming out is why the media took an interest in my story because there isn’t only one “ex-Menudo” who is openly gay now. For the media to say I followed in Ricky’s footsteps, no … Ricky Martin followed in Angelo Garcia’s footsteps. That’s just the truth. It’s really frustrating because a lot of comments have been very negative and very nasty: “He’s just an ex-Menudo trying to ride Ricky’s coattails and wants attention.” If you’re going to say it, say it how it is. This might have exploded in my face because Ricky has the fame he has and I’m not the famous one, but the truth is, I spoke publicly about my homosexuality two months before Ricky posted whatever it is he posted. I’m not trying to ride his coattails. I’m not trying to gain fame.”

I don’t really care who came out first… Both guys are sexy as hell and I’m glad to have both on “my team”!

Kylie Minogue hosted a black tie/black leather amfAR Gala in New York lastnight, honoring Ricky Martin for his philanthropic contributions to AIDS research through his foundation. The pair even took an opportunity to pose together for the cameras at the event. They really would make a stunning couple… “if only”…

Kylie told reporters that she is very happy for Martin and feels he’s “embracing and living life” since he came out of the closet in May. Other celebrities that attended the event include; Cyndi Lauper, Kelly Rowland, Estelle & Cheyenne Jackson.

After years of rumors and speculation, Ricky Martin has FINALLY come out of the closet with the following statement that he posted on his website today;

” 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.”

Congrats Ricky!! So happy that you have allowed yourself to be open to be a role model to younger generations!

Barbara Walters has revealed in a recent interview with the Toronto Star that her one regret in her career was pressuring Ricky Martin to answer weather or not he was gay;

“In 2000, I pushed Ricky Martin very hard to admit if he was gay or not, and the way he refused to do it made everyone decide that he was. A lot of people say that destroyed his career, and when I think back on it now I feel it was an inappropriate question.”

Wow… What a brave woman to admit fault and take accountability. On the bright side, Ricky seem quite happy in his life these days raising his twin baby boys.

Ricky Martin is yet another star who has really taken to posting his private life on Twitter. He recently posted this picture of his son’s first bath taken a year ago. Very cute picture! You can tell what a nurturing father Ricky is from the way he’s holding and tending to his baby. However, seeing this picture also kind of makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Almost like a voyeur. He really should keep these kinds of intimate pictures more private and out of the public eye. You don’t have to share EVERYTHING with the entire world… I don’t see the good to come of that. But then again, if I really felt that way I shouldn’t have posted it in the first place, right?? (I hate when I play devil’s advocate with myself!!)

The question surrounding Ricky Martin’ssexuality has long been a tabloid hot topic aboutthe Puerto Rican heart-throb that he has managed to dodge and evade for years. Well, it looks like Ricky is tired to skirting the issue and is finally letting the public in on his long kept secret. He was recentlyinterviewed with TV Aqui (A Spanish celebrity magazine) and admitted that his “heart can belong to a male or a female”. This newly found openness about his sexuality comes shortly after he became a father to a pair of surrogate twin boys. Way to go Ricky for teaching your children the importance of being true to yourself and not trying to hide who you are… at least not anymore! Better late than never, right?!