(*swoon!!!*)

"Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions." --Ricky Martin, on his coming out.

While this isn't earth-shattering news (I mean, c'mon... you had to live under a rock or be in serious denial about his sexuality), I'm glad he has finally decided to publicly come out.

As a regular Joe, it is hard enough when you don't want people all up in your kool-aid and want to keep your sexual orientation to yourself. I can imagine it has to be unbearably difficult as a celebrity to maintain some semblance of privacy. I mean, not everyone can be Elton John or George Michael, right? And even they originally kept their sexuality on the down-low for some time.

While there is a part of me that all celebrities and public figures would just come out, I know it is easier said than done. I have to respect celebrities who try to keep their private lives private. It's not for me to decide how and when they should run out and jump on the float; I can't ignore the little voice in my head, though, that wishes they would just stand up and scream out the old cliche' "I'm here, I'm queer...!"

Anyway, GOOD FOR YOU RICKY! Welcome to the team! I wish you happiness and all the best.

Oh, and call me! ;-)