In an amazing move that could only be described as an Independence Day miracle, rising artist Frank Ocean has officially liberated himself and come out as a bisexual.
A few days ago, rumors began swirling that Ocean was gay after a journalist, Max, claimed that lyrics she heard at a listening party for Ocean’s debut album, Channel Orange, spoke of falling in love with a man. However, no specific lyrics were cited and other media sites at the listening party did not share the same thought.
Since the rumors began, Ocean has remained mum on the subject. But early this morning, July 4, Ocean posted a message on his Tumblr, announcing that he would address the gay rumors.
What Ocean did next is nothing short of jaw-dropping and utterly amazing. He posted a screenshot of a text shot printed on a computer, titled “thank you’s.” The text was written on Dec 27, 2011 while Ocean was riding on a plane from his hometown of New Orleans to Los Angeles and intended to appear in his album booklet.
The text reads like a heartfelt open letter as Ocean reveals that four summers ago he met the man who would eventually become his first love. Unfortunately, Ocean goes on to explain that things between he and the guy didn’t work out, but that he was thankful for the experience and that he’d never forget that “orange” summer of love.
Ocean concludes that he’s unsure of what the future holds now that he’s out, but that he’s happy to finally tell his story to the world.
“I don’t know what happens now, and that’s alrite. I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore…I’ve never had more respect for life and living than I have right now,” he writes. “I feel like a free man. If I listen closely.. I can hear the sky falling too.”
It sounds like Ocean is finally at a happy place with his sexuality and we will do nothing but applaud him for being the first black male mainstream artist to come out of the closet. Hopefully, Ocean’s decision will help him find even greater peace and success as well as open the doors for other artists to come out of the closet and end the homophobia that still plagues the music industry.
And like Ocean, below are some other celebs who took that brave step to come out of the closet as well. –nicholas robinson
