Singer Ricky Martin says he feels good
about being a gay rights activist.
The 39-year-old pop star released his
newest studio album Music + Soul + Sex on Tuesday. Among
the images shown in the album's first music video for the single The
Best Thing About Me Is You are gay and lesbian couples in
affectionate poses.
The Livin' la Vida Loca singer
announced he was gay in a blog post on his website last March and
then kept mum about the details until the release of his memoir,
titled Me, in October.
In
a new interview with Parade, Martin said he feels
good about advocating for gay rights.
“There's no pressure from anybody,”
Martin said. “It's something I feel really good about doing. I
have been an activist for human rights for many years.”
Martin added that his coming out has
been well received.
“After I wrote the book and went on
Oprah Winfrey, so many people have come to me, telling me, 'Ricky,
thank you because I understand what acceptance is today.'”
“The other day, I was in a store and
there was this 13-year-old child who he told me, 'Ricky, you and me,
we are the same! You like boys. Well, you know what? Me too! And
this is my mom and she's happy with me today.' Are you kidding me?
I had to give him a hug and I had to give his mother a hug because
unfortunately – because of society or faith – parents struggle.
It's all about love,” Martin said.