Coming Out - Ricky Martin on Oprah and it Gets Better LGBT Project

(Jan 13, 2011) Ricky Martin was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show yesterday and talked about the process of "coming out" regarding his homosexuality. Ricky said he made his announcement on Twitter after grappling with a particularly stressful interview with Barbara Walters.

I checked out both their Twitter sites and Oprah has 4,856,296 followers. Oprah last tweeted (as of this writing) on January 2^nd, whereas Ricky has 2,143,160 followers and tweets daily. I also noticed that Oprah doesn't seem to use Twitter Hash Tags while Ricky does. It is quite interesting to see how stars use Twitter to keep their fans informed. Ricky said after he hit that send button, he felt relieved and he cried because he had finally faced his fears head on.

Not that long ago, I encountered a website touting the "It Gets Better Project and blog." Their website says, "Many LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered) youth cannot picture what their lives might be like as openly gay adults. They can't imagine a future for themselves. So let's show them what our lives are like, and what the future may hold in store for them."

The statistics of teenage suicide for those that are GLBT are 4:1, meaning someone who is struggling with their gender or sexuality is 4 times more likely to commit suicide than a straight person. (Gay Life)

Coming Out Stories

Ricky Martin's book, entitled, "Me" takes the reader on Ricky's journey of understanding his sexuality.

When I wrote my coming out story the book Bad Girl Gone Mom under my maiden name, I wrote it because I also wanted to help others who were struggling with thoughts of suicide because of their sexuality. Because of discrimination and bullying that happens to people who come out, many people try to hide how they feel. When you have to hide who you are, it makes life lonely.

While Oprah said after reading Ricky's book that it was a spiritual journey, I urge my readers to apply the same message. Deal with fears and face them head on.

My quest to understand sexuality started when I was in 2^nd grade and began reading a copy of "The Joy of Sex" book I found in my parent's bedroom. Then when I was 13, I learned I was born without all my female parts and that made me feel "less than" or "abnormal" and although I used my body to prove that I was a woman, my mind never agreed. I was told the condition was rare and I would never meet anyone like me. I think it is less rare than people think. 1:5000 babies are born with MRKH, a genetic defect that causes woment to be born without a uterus, cervix and/or vagina.

In my come out story, I share how I felt like I was caught in the middle of the two sexes. I denied my attraction to females because it was wrong and a "sin". I am not famous but I think my message will hit home particularly with young girls who do not feel like they can open up to their families about what they are going through and might feel all alone and possibly suicidal.

It Gets Better Project

Who else is coming out in the It Gets Better Campaign besides me and Ricky? Rugby Star Gareth Thomas stopped by on January 10^th to make "It Gets Better" video. Dan Savage at FIU BBC is the founder and has commented on some of the videos. Some of the others who are either coming out of the closet publicly or sharing their support are Senator Sherrod Brown, Thomas Robert's MSNCS, President Obama stressed that we must stop bullying; he speaks from a parent and business person's perspective. Adam Lambert from American Idol made a video saying that even though he has come out, he still gets "hate" comments on articles and he refuses to let it bother him. , Rob Thomas shared a video to highschoolers and Daniel Redgrave from Harry Potter shared that although he is straight, he still supports the movement passionately

Depressed and not sure where to turn? Families sometimes don't understand

Get help.

If you are considering suicide and need help, you can call the confidential/toll free hotline called the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386 (866-4-U-Trevor) 24 hours a day. There you will find people who understand but it is up to you to take the first step. They welcome gays, lesbians, transsexuals, trans-gendered, bisexuals and those that are not sure.

For those of you who don't think this message impacts you, think again. Sarah Silverman's message is pretty profound. Bullying is a learned behavior. Kids who bully saw someone else do it first.

The pledge states that: Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I will speak up against hate, intolerance and bullying at work and at school, wherever I see it.

To take the pledge: Pledge. (ItGetsBetter)

No Name calling week is coming up! Barnes & Noble, January 15^th-23rd

Barnes & Noble will be sponsoring an Educator Appreciation Week, during which stores will have No Name-Calling Week materials available for teachers and educators, including book recommendations, tip sheets for organizing No Name-Calling Week events, lesson plans for elementary and middle school students, classroom posters and buttons.

Did you know that National Coming Out Day is October 11^th? To find a support group in your state, see here: http://gaylife.about.com/od/informationresources/a/ccindex.htm

Sources:

Itgetsbetter.org
Trevor Project