New Kids on the Block's Jonathan Knight: “I Have Never Been Outed By Anyone But Myself!”

From time to time, you will have a celebrity come out as gay and say they were never in the closet. Most recently, Johnny Weir came out.

But the truth is, whether you are famous or not, sometimes you have to come out time and time again in so many ways. So this appears to be the case with Jonathan Knight, a member of New Kids on the Block.

Last week, it seemed that singer Tiffany had possibly outed him when she casually mentioned that he is gay. Knight quickly showed his support of her via Twitter and has now taken things a step further in the New Kids on the Block website.

Here is an excerpt from his statement:

“I have never been outed by anyone but myself! I did so almost twenty years ago. I never know that I would have to do it all over again publicly just because I reunited with NKOTB! I have lived my life very openly and have never hidden the fact that I am gay! Apparently the pre requiste to being a gay public figure is to appear on the cover of a magazine with the caption “I am gay”. I apologize for not doing so if this is what was expected! My belief is that you live your life by example, and not by a caption on a magazine! If there ever has been any confusion about my sexuality, then you are someone that doesn’t even know me!” “I love living my life being open and honest, but at this time I choose not to discuss my private life any further!”

Now, how much longer before his brother, Jordan, also comes out of the closet? Hopefully soon!

Ryan Kwanten Praises Gay Brother for Coming Out

Many of you fell in love with Ryan Kwanten watching him on HBO’s True Blood on which he plays endearingly dim himbo Jason Stackhouse.

Prior to True Blood, Ryan starred in an episode of Law & Order: SVU as a military guy wrongly accused of rape. The 33-year-old Aussie actor was so good in that episode and his chemistry with series star Mariska Hargitay was off-the-charts.

Ryan recently chatted with Brandon Voss from The Advocate and they covered all kinds of gay ground.

Here are some highlights:

Before True Blood, you starred as a lifeguard in the Australian soap Home and Away. Were you aware of gay fans that early in your career?
Yes, they’ve always been very staunch supporters of me. The great thing is that it’s a loyal fan base — they’ll stick with you through thick and thin, and I like that. You can’t buy that kind of loyalty.

I read a story in Star that claimed you purposely keep your love life private in part because you’re so conscious of your gay following. Any truth to that?
Well, it’s in Star, so it’s got to be true. [Laughs] But yeah, and, to be honest, it’s more than my love life. It was Einstein who once said, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.” We almost know too much about far too many actors in this day and age — to the point where it becomes harder and harder to see them as a character. So I’ve always tried to maintain somewhat of an air of mystery.

Were you always comfortable with the idea of male admirers?
Oh, yeah. Australians are a very open-minded society, and I come from a very liberal, open family, so it’s something that I’ve embraced from the get-go. My youngest brother, Lloyd, is gay.

Tell me about him.
He’s a doctor, so he got every ounce of intelligence in the family. He was probably about 18 when he came out, and I can wholeheartedly tell you that from the day that he did, he was a changed man for the better. The sheer beauty of who he is really came through.

Let’s talk True Blood. With the exception of Jason, all the major male characters were involved in homoerotic action last season. Did you feel left out?
Well, there are more seasons to come, so there’s still many an opportunity. I’m sure Alan Ball’s concocting some road to take Jason down that he’s never been down before.

Your True Blood costar Stephen Moyer recently auctioned off his “modesty sock” for charity. Would you auction off your penis pouch for a gay charity like The Trevor Project?
Well, I’ve gone through more than one, so there might be a couple out there. I’ll have to speak to Audrey, our wardrobe designer, and see if she can track one down. There’s quite a collection, actually—one for every mood.

You wrote an upcoming satirical self-help book, The G-Strategy. Any chance the G stands for gay?
It’s stands for whatever you want it to, Brandon. That’s the beauty of it.

Go to Advocate.com to read the interview in its entirety.

Ricky Martin Felt 'Numb' and Cried 'Like a Baby' After Coming Out

After having children, Ricky Martin decided he couldn't live a lie any longer and decided to tell the world his biggest secret--he is gay. And in an interview with Oprah Winfrey airing today on her show, he confessed it wasn't easy.

"When I realized, okay, I just pressed send, whoo... I was alone," the international singer said to the talk show host. "I was in my studio alone for a minute. My assistant walked in and I just started crying like a little baby. I started crying." Martin admits he felt "numb" but then relieved after sharing the news with the world.

Martin credits his 2-year-old twins born via surrogate with helping him realize he needed to be totally open about his sexuality.

"I couldn't take it anymore. It was too painful. But I guess the most important thing is my children... When I was holding them in my arms I was like, 'What, am I gonna teach them how to lie?' Whoa, that is my blessing right there. Then, when I was holding my children I said, 'Okay, it's time to tell the world.'"

The 'Livin' La Vida Loca' singer is releasing his memoir 'Me' today. In it, Martin opens up about everything from his experiences in Menudo to his sexuality and fatherhood.

"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," he said.

Happy 45th Birthday to Billy Bean!

It’s been 11 years since former major league baseball player Billy Bean came out of the closet with a heart-breaking memoir Going the Other Way.

In an interview with Diane Sawyer when he was coming out, Billy cried on the air. He spoke of how when he was playing for the San Diego Padres as a closeted young man, his lover died unexpectedly and he could not mourn him for fear of being outed. It took an emotional toll on him that resulted in his baseball career ending prematurely after 12 years in the major leagues.

Billy, who turns 45 years old today, came out after his playing days but is still one of the very few former pro athletes to do so. He’s gone on to have a successful real estate career in South Florida, plays serious competitive tennis and has remained in the spotlight as a public speaker telling his story.

Billy was interviewed by Greg in Hollywood two years ago for an article on Coming Out Day and here's what he had to say:

On his own coming out: “It was just really empowering…When I was in a position emotionally to make it happen, .the relief of living honestly and being able to give my family and friends and people who care about me the opportunity to know me completely, I just became so much closer to them.”

On gays and lesbians coming out younger these days: “I think kids at this generation are light years ahead of where we were. They are so much more aware because of the Internet and blogs. We had to interact face to face which kept us from doing that. They are so much more progressive in so many ways.”

On professional athletes being out: “We just have to embrace the few images that we have and keep building positive images to create a more diverse group of people. As their lives allow it, it will just keep happening. Slowly, but it will.”

Happy Birthday Billy!

Drew Barrymore Praises Ricky Martin for 'Coming Out'

Drew Barrymore has praised singer Ricky Martin for opening up about his sexuality - insisting his admission will help other celebrities 'come out'.

The Livin' La Vida Loca hitmaker ended years of speculation about his love life last month by revealing he's a "proud homosexual".

And the Charlie's Angels actress has applauded Martin for his honesty, as she believes his story will help other gay stars feel accepted.

She tells Access Hollywood, "My lofty goal in this world is that we can live in a world that doesn’t judge each other, I just want people to be able to live their lives that are true to them. I celebrate what (Ricky) is doing because we have to create a world for each other where acceptance is first and foremost.”

And Barrymore is not the only celebrity to back Martin - openly gay singer Adam Lambert has also voiced his support for the Latino star.

He says, "It’s great to see people like (Ricky) feeling liberated to come out and come forward, and hopefully it will open the door wide open for more and more people to be comfortable with who they are.”

Actress Sofia Vergara adds, "It shouldn’t be an issue any more, but it’s hard to change things. He’s fantastic.”

Mascara Ad Cashes in on Ricky Martin Coming Out

A make-up firm has capitalised on Ricky Martin’s announcement that he is gay – by using the news to promote its waterproof mascara.

Britain's Yardley TripleXXX lash mascara is being promoted as ‘tear-proof’ – a necessity for the singer’s legion of adoring female fans, who may well have been left grief-stricken by the turn of events.

Last month the Livin’ La Vida Loca singer posted on his official website: ‘I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.'

Martin, who had always dodged questions about his sexuality, told fans he decided to come out while writing his memoirs.

Another contributing factor was the birth of his twins via an anonymous surrogate.

The Puerto Rican star admitted 'fear and insecurity' made him keep quiet about his sexuality but told of his 'happiness' at finally revealing who he is.

Martin, 38, posted: 'To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where [sic] born with.'

In 2000, TV journalist Barbara Walters grilled him about whether he was gay, but he refused to disclose it.

The singer began his career with boy band Menudo and broke out as a solo artist and teen idol in the 1990s in Spanish-speaking countries.

He released his first, English-language album in 1999, the self-titled Ricky Martin, which saw two major hits, Livin' La Vida Loca and She's All I Ever Had.

Cheyenne Jackson Talks About Coming Out

Broadway, film and television star Cheyenne Jackson talks with Matt Thomas of Canada's Fab Magazine about making it big in New York without keeping it straight.

“The way I came to know about theatre was through yard sales. I was always going to them and buying cast albums for shows like Annie. I wanted to be the first boy to play Annie, that was my dream,” recalls 34-year-old triple threat Cheyenne Jackson, flashing a dashing smile. Since moving to New York eight years ago, Jackson has carved out a career that rivals those of the show business icons he grew up admiring. His classic good looks, crooner’s baritone and leading-man screen presence have made him a casting agent’s wet dream — an achievement he never dreamed possible as a choirboy in northern Idaho.

“I’m not really a bondage, tie-up kind of guy, but every time that Valentine’s Day Popeye cartoon would come on, the one where he ties Bluto up, it would make me feel weird in my stomach,” says Jackson. Growing up different in a conservative religious household in a town of fewer than 1,200 people, Jackson remembers his rustic childhood well. He describes it as “very Little House on the Prairie,” complete with well and outhouse. “I wasn’t privy to a lot of things other kids my own age who had money were, but what we did have was music,” says Jackson. He jumped at any opportunity to perform. “The first time I said a line and everyone laughed, it was the biggest cliché in the book, but I knew I was home.”

“When I was 13 and in eighth grade, I was obsessed with my best friend. I was in love with him. He had blond curly hair and he was a Mormon,” says Jackson of his first crush. “I just thought I wanted to kiss him all the time, so I thought ‘Hey, I’m totally gay.’” Jackson waited until he was 19 to come out to his religious family, including his brother, a preacher once featured on the 700 Club. He describes the process as “terrible” and notes it included a suggestion he enroll in an ex-gay program.

“The idea of the ex-gay movement as a philosophy is one thing, but the comedic side of me thinks 20 guys staying in cabins in the woods, all trying not to be gay…. That’s a Sean Cody movie,” jokes Jackson, who promptly said “No fucking way” to the idea. “I realized they were grasping. You have to let your parents mourn the idea of what they think your life is going to be. It’s them that has to deal with it. We’ve been dealing with it our whole lives.” His family eventually came around, and he gleefully mentions that he brought his parents with him when he sang on the Rosie O’Donnell Gay Family Cruise last year.

Fresh out of high school, Jackson moved away from home. He eventually landed in Seattle where he met his longterm boyfriend Monte (“a handsome physicist”) and tried his hand at regional theatre while working at a local magazine. After a death in the family and the polarizing events of 9/11, Jackson decided to move to New York, with Monte in tow, to pursue his Broadway aspirations.

“I don’t like to tell actors this story, but when I moved to New York City, I was literally on Broadway in three weeks,” says Jackson bashfully. Connected with an agent through an actor friend from Seattle, Jackson was signed immediately and, after his first audition, scored his debut gig as an understudy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Jackson would go on to understudy Broadway heavyweights like Gavin Creel and Adam Pascal before getting his big break — by chance.

“Having a $12-million musical on your shoulders is exhausting,” says Jackson of his starring role as a lady-killing ’50s heartthrob in All Shook Up, a period jukebox musical full of Elvis songs. Originally cast as the understudy, Jackson got the role after the original lead’s contract fell through. Suddenly he found himself front and centre. “There was a billboard four storeys high of my face in Times Square. It was surreal; you can’t really wrap your head around it,” remembers Jackson.

Jackson casually confirmed he was gay during an interview with the New York Times, while doing press for All Shook Up. “I have friends who are in the closet and I’ve seen it go either way. But I thought, if someone has the balls to ask me flat out in an interview, then I’ll say ‘yes,’” explains Jackson.

“My people at the time were flipping out, saying, ‘You’re playing this womanizing great character and you do so many things, and now people are only seeing you as a gay dude,’” says Jackson, who later fired his PR team, eventually replacing them with Monte. “If audiences just see me that way, then first of all, I’m not doing a good enough job convincing them otherwise, and secondly, then fuck ’em if that’s the case.”

Jackson’s public admission didn’t affect his career in any way he feels was substantial. His newfound gay fan base helped ticket sales for his next musical endeavour: as the lead in Xanadu: The Musical, a stage version of the campy 1980 film starring Olivia Newton-John. The show ran for more than 500 performances, was nominated for two Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical, and featured Jackson singing and dancing on roller blades, sporting a tiny pair of denim hot pants.

“I didn’t want to do it at first. I thought it would be too distracting because I have a lot going on down there. It’s a really funny and witty show, and I didn’t want it to be about my ass,” says Jackson of his costume. Uncharacteristically shy, he eventually embraced his new sex symbol status and refers to Xanadu as “the most fun from top to bottom I’ve ever had working.”

Jackson’s performance received a lot of attention. He started landing roles playing straight guys on TV shows like Ugly Betty, Lipstick Jungle, Life on Mars, Glee (he had to drop the part after getting violently ill but expects to be back) and most recently the recurring role of Danny Baker, the naïve new Canadian cast member of TGS, on 30 Rock.

Like Neil Patrick Harris, Jackson’s had no problem getting straight roles and is happy to usher in a new age for openly gay actors. “Last week I screen tested for the biggest movie of my life with Cameron Diaz. There were five other guys and me, and I was the only gay dude. We read together and she laughed, and it made me see that everyone may know my deal, but they are into what I do as an actor,” says Jackson.

But not everyone in the industry has an ambivalent attitude toward his sexuality.

“E! Online asked me, ‘In your 30 Rock co-star Alec Baldwin’s new movie, It’s Complicated, he shows his butt. Do you want to see it?’” says Jackson. “First of all, it’s a trick question. There’s no way you can answer that correctly. So I said, ‘Sure, I’d totally see that. I have a total talent crush on Alec.’ Of course the headline read: ‘Gay 30 Rock cast member wants to see Alec Baldwin nude.’” Jackson later told the anecdote to Tina Fey, who weaved the concept into an upcoming episode. “Nothing’s funnier than real life,” adds Jackson, shrugging off the scandal-hungry American press machine.

Jackson says he’s turned down his fair share of “terrible gay comedies, the ones that are so poorly written and go straight to video,” but that doesn’t mean he’s afraid to play gay roles. His first major film role was playing gay rugby player Mark Bingham in the 9/11 hijack film United 93, and he played a gay man with a secret hit out on his meth-loving husband in a recent episode of Law & Order. Jackson also just landed a major part in It Takes a Village for ABC, the biggest pilot he’s done yet. The show revolves around exes Karen, played by Leah Remini, and Howard, who’s now gay. They struggle to raise their 15-year-old son while juggling relationships with their new significant others. Jackson plays Howard’s first boyfriend and says of the role, “Being gay is a part of who I am, and hopefully I can bring some truth to it.”

He hasn’t abandoned his musical roots though, and he grins like a schoolboy as he lists previous stage partners that include Barbara Cook, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Idina Menzel and even Meryl Streep, with whom he sang “Sodomy” from Hair at a fundraiser. Jackson’s favourite collaborator is Michael Feinstein, the Grammy-winning, openly gay musical theatre legend who studied under the Gershwin brothers. The pair, united over a shared love of traditional musical art form and the American Songbook, have written shows together, toured together and recently released a CD of duets, The Power of Two. “As a gay mentor, as a musical mentor, as someone who has Nancy Reagan on speed dial, he’s full of bizarre, amazing connections. He’s really one-of-a-kind, and we’ve learned a lot from each other,” says Jackson of Feinstein.

Jackson is always busy and has a lot of upcoming projects. A Mormon-themed musical by the creators of South Park and Avenue Q is off the table for discussion due to a gag order, but it’s to be previewing this summer in New York, and Jackson previously admitted his involvement to the press. He’s also working on We Have Always Lived in the Castle, a new musical by Canadian-born playwright Adam Bock and composer Todd Almond, based on the Shirley Jackson novel. However, Jackson’s most passionate new role is as a hands-on international ambassador for amfAR, a leading organization for AIDS education and research.

“I had a very good friend from Seattle; he and I were two peas in a pod. We whored it up all through Seattle in our early 20s. We were like salt and pepper; he was blond and I had black hair. He recently became HIV positive and it really just shook me to the core. With all the risky behaviour I partook of in my early 20s, that could so easily have been me,” explains Jackson when asked about his involvement with amfAR. “My mom and dad always said to give back to your community. It’s one thing to say you will, but it’s another to get your hands dirty.”

Whether it’s the dirt thrown at him from Hollywood or the dirty costumes of Broadway, one thing is clear: Jackson is totally okay with being a little dirty if it means being honest about who he is, and that’s why gay men and the rest of the world can’t get enough.