Ricky Martin is Gay - Should it Matter?

Ten years after Ricky Martin famously told Barbara Walters he didn't feel like addressing the questions surrounding his sexual preference, he has come out. Ricky Martin is gay. Sure, he was married to a woman for a time - so was Sir Elton John. Being married to the opposite sex does not preclude homosexuality.

Reactions to Ricky Martin's announcement have been mixed. Reactions to people "coming out" seem to vary based upon their public persona, mannerisms, and current cultural norms.

Some people behave in what heterosexuals believe is a stereotypically "gay" way so it's no shock when they come out.

Clay Aiken
Dolce & Gabbana
Adam Lambert
Boy George
Andy Warhol
Truman Capote
Sir Elton John - must have been the costumes.

Some people are so gorgeous that heterosexuals are stunned into disbelief upon learning they are gay. I find this elitist attitude sad. Do we really believe that gay people can't be gorgeous or the pretty people must be reserved for the heterosexuals?

Rupert Everett
Rock Hudson
James Dean
Marlene Dietrich
Joan Jett
Rudolph Nureyev
Richard Chamberlain - supposedly, I am the only person who was surprised when he came out - I couldn't get past that yummy The Thorn Birds performance.

Ricky Martin

Others don't make a big deal out of being gay so heterosexuals may or may not know they are gay and may have little reaction to the news.

Nathan Lane
Ian McKellen
Melissa Etheridge
Jodie Foster
Billie Jean King
Lily Tomlin
Gore Vidal

If you don't know who some of these people are - get thee to Wikipedia. If you don't recognize the talent in just this small group of people, get thee a reality check.

Here's my question: What do we care if someone is gay or not? Gay or straight, I like seeing people who are happy and in love, period. The only time I haven't is when I was fresh from a breakup and happy couples were everywhere as a reminder of my loss - but I digress.

I'll be thrilled when someone's sex, sexual preference, skin color, etc. aren't relevant descriptors. If history mentions President Barack Obama as the 44^th President of the United States instead of the first black one, we will have arrived. Obama's official mini bio on the White House web site doesn't mention his race.

So Ricky Martin is gay. Ricky Martin is a singer and a father too. Ricky Martin is a person.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/29/ricky.martin.gay/index.html?hpt=T2
http://www.famousandgay.com/
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/dr._seuss/