More than anything, the don't want their fans to feel they've been lied to.'įor musicians outside the mainstream, such as Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear or Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons), the issue is less problematic. Gambaccini said: 'I know many gay musicians who say they still don't want to come out. Robinson also points to two recent examples of pop stars – the late Stephen Gately and McElderry – who came out only when they felt their hand was forced by the media. 'And in almost every situation I can think of, that has ended up creating a barrier between the act and simply being considered a musician.' 'As soon as you're out you become a 'gay' act,' he said. He famously turned crisis to opportunity with the release of Outside, a single which poked fun at his arrest.īut even openly gay pop singers rarely make reference to gender in songs, although a track on the Morrissey album, Ringleader of the Tormentors, was conjectured to referred to a male lover.īut Peter Robinson, editor of the website Popjustice, says pop stars still feel pressure to hide their sexuality. Like Martin, Boy George famously deflected speculation about his private life during Culture Club's heyday, by claiming he would rather have 'a nice cup of tea' than sex.Įlton John, who had described himself as bisexual, only fully came out in the early 1980s following his divorce from wife Renate Blauel, while George Michael was forced to reveal his sexuality in 1998 after being caught in a 'lewd act' with an undercover police officer in a Los Angeles public toilet. 'Therefore coming out wouldn't have felt like a possibility.'Īs attitudes have changed, pop stars are tending to come out earlier in their careers, including Will Young and X Factor winner Joe McElderry. 'Also, like George Michael, who is of Greek extraction, he culturally comes from a country where men are expected to be macho. 'Like many pop stars who begin early in life, he probably discovered his sexuality at a time when he was also hugely famous and popular with teenage girls,' says Gambaccini. Martin began his career in his early teens, as a member of boyband Menudo in his native Puerto Rico. 'His decision to come out was not just made possible by his decision to become a father,' says broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, 'but it was made necessary by it, as it immediately restarted the conversation about his sexuality.' The message also made reference to his new found role as a father to twin boys, born to an unnamed surrogate mother in 2008. Martin came out in an emotional message posted on his website in March of last year, in which he said: 'The word 'happiness' takes on a new meaning for me as of today. Perry shot to fame in 2008 with the song I Kissed a Girl and also had a hit with Ur So Gay, in which the word 'gay' is used as a taunt.īut her most recent hit, Firework, preaches the message that there is nothing wrong with being different, and was accompanied by a video showing two boys kissing.

Katy Perry and Ke$ha have also released songs which purport to show support for gay rights. Last year, she walked the red carpet at MTV awards with a group of discharged gay soldiers to protest at the US military's policy of don't ask, don't tell. Lady Gaga, the biggest selling female pop act of the past few years, followed up months of support for gay rights with the song Born This Way, in which she sings: 'No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I'm on the right track baby.' This is an interesting time for homosexuality in pop music.

'Everything is coming from another place,' said Martin of the album's inspiration. The music industry is watching to see whether he can maintain his popularity. It is a big step for Martin, who became one of the world's biggest selling artists on a diet of machismo, teenage female fans and songs like She Bangs.

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