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Last week, REM lead singer Michael Stipe revealed, to the surprise of no one on this planet, that he is gay.
The singer has never felt the need to publicly discuss his sexuality before, but thinks now is the right time to do so.
He said: “It was super complicated for me in the ’80s. I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious.
“I didn’t always see that. But I see now, of course that’s the case, of course that’s needed. I’d just never felt strongly enough about a particular relationship to say, ‘Yeah, he’s my boyfriend, that is what it is.’
“Now I recognise that for public figures to be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere.”
I had an obsession with REM that bordered on unhealthy back in the 80s and early 90s and have always admired Stipe’s very dry sense of humor. This week, he took a very tongue-in-cheek approach to his coming out, and further stated, in a video posted on YouTube, the official sexual orientations of the rest of the band.
My name is Michael Stipe, I’m here to make an announcement on behalf of R.E.M., but I want to express any doubters that I’m here on my own volition. Um, I’m a little nervous, so I’m gonna read this to get it right.
R.E.M’s Peter Buck and Mike Mills announce today that, after years of awkward speculation, that they are heterosexual, or straight. I am happy for my bandmates and congratulate their candidness and their courage in making this whole statement. I stand beside them always and I am proud of their strength of character in this difficult but liberating decision to come forward. I can say on their behalf that they are here to finally acknowledge their themselves publicly.
[Transcript from YouTube video via ONTD]
Hilarious! Let’s hope that Peter Buck and Mike Mills’ bravery, after years of awkward speculation (ha ha), help straight kids all over the world come to terms with their orientation.
Michael Stipe is shown on 12/6/07 at The Lunchbox Auction Benefiting Food Bank for NYC, thanks to PRPhotos.
