TORONTO – Singer Ricky Martin, who came out publicly in 2010, has admitted he once bullied gay people.
In an interview with GQ Australia, the 41-year-old “Livin’ La Vida Loca” star blames his bad behaviour on his Catholic upbringing and self-loathing.
“I used to look at gay men and think, ‘I’m not like that, I don’t want to be like that, that’s not me.’ I was ashamed,” he explained. “When you’re told you’re wrong by everyone, from society, from your faith — my self-esteem was crushed.”
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Martin added: “I took my anger out on those around me….I look back now and realize I would bully people who I knew were gay. I internalized homophobia. To realize that was confronting to me. I wanted to get away from that.”
When Martin announced he is gay, he wrote on his website: “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.”
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