Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons has said
he was “profoundly moved” by singer-songwriter Frank Ocean's
coming out.
Ocean, whose real name is Christopher
Francis Ocean, came
out as at least bisexual in a blog post on his website. He is
being credited as the first mainstream hip-hop star to come out.
The 24-year-old Ocean, a member of the
collective Odd Future, said in the post that his “first love” was
another man.
“By the time I realized I was in
love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no
negotiating to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and
thought I was in love with.”
Ocean added that his feelings were not
reciprocated.
Simmons, a strong advocate for gay
rights, applauded
Ocean in a blog post.
“I am profoundly moved by the courage
and honesty of Frank Ocean. Your decision to go public about your
sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still
living in fear. These types of secrets should not matter anymore,
but we know they do, and because of that I decided to write this
short statement of support for one of the greatest new artists we
have.”
Simmons added that, “Today is a big
day for hip-hop.”
“It is a day that will define who we
really are. How compassionate will we be? How loving can we be?
How inclusive are we?”