Ricky Martin's request for a Honduran
visa is being challenged by an ecumenical group of religious leaders
who say the singer sets a bad moral example for the country's youth,
Honduran daily El
Heraldo reported.
Church leaders are reportedly demanding
that the Honduran government deny a visa to Martin, who is set to
perform in the country on October 16 at the Chochi Sosa stadium in
Tegucigalpa, Honduras as part of his Musica+Alma+Sexo (MAS) worldwide
tour.
Africo Madrid, the minister of interior
of Honduras, told the paper that Evangelical and Catholic leaders
argue that Martin's nuclear family “is not the type of family that
the laws of Honduras and the Honduran society wants to build and
encourage to young people and the rest of the population.”
The officials must act to “protect
the moral and ethical principles of our society,” Madrid added.
Martin came out gay last year on his
blog – writing that he was “a fortunate homosexual man” – and
subsequently talked about his experience in his memoir Me.
The 39-year-old Martin lives with his boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez and
his twin sons Mateo and Valentino.
The Honduran secretary of state's
office has denied receiving any requests to deny Martin entry into
the country.
(Related: Ricky
Martin will lead Puerto Rico to “hell,” pastor Wanda Rolon says.)