First, it was Anderson Cooper who announced to the world that he’s gay. Now, it’s R&B artist Frank Ocean who is making his way out of the closet. The LGBT community must be proud!
Ocean revealed his sexuality publicly on his blog:
“In the last year or 3 I’ve screamed at my creator, screamed at the clouds in the sky, for some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow.
4 summer ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost… Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping.”
The singer felt the need to set the record straight after a review of his upcoming “Orange Channel” album claimed that songs like “Forrest Gump” and “Bad Religion” were of Ocean singing about being in love with other men. He decided to take matters into his own hands and personally shared his secret with his fans. This was a big step for Ocean, as well as the R&B/hip-hop community where many artists have anti-gay lyrics in their songs.
Tyler the Creator, a rapper who has been accused of homophobia, was one of the many hip-hop artists and celebrities to voice his support of Frank Ocean’s coming out. He tweeted, “My Big Brother Finally F—king Did That. Proud Of That Ni—a Cause I Know That S—t Is Difficult Or Whatever.”
Other celebrities tweeted their congratulations as well.
Solange Knowles: “I salute you, brave soul. Independence Day. @frank_ocean”
RuPal: “Dear @frank_ocean, I ask that U guide my thoughts, my feelings & my perceptions AMEN”
Rita Ora: “Once a brave soul opens up life doesn’t seem as hard as you thought it was. @frank_ocean inspirational.”
Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam, personally wrote a congratulatory letter to Ocean. He wrote, “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 ca we be? How inclusive are we? […] Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear. These type 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 once of the greatest new artists we have.”
It’s so great seeing the R&B/hip-hop community band together to show support for Frank Ocean’s big news! Changes are being made in the industry, slowly, but surely.
