Frank Ocean confirms gay rumors by releasing an open letter about his first love being a man.
Social media has been all a buzz about the recent news regarding Odd Future member and rising R&B crooner, Frank Ocean.
The singer, who has helped penned songs for stars such asBeyoncé, contributed vocals to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s“No Church in the Wild,” and has released hit singles like “Novocane” and “Thinkin Bout You,” bravely took to his tumblr during the early morning hours to post an open letter confirming his sexuality.
The letter, which was composed during a flight from his hometown of New Orleans to Los Angeles during the winter of 2011, illustrates a secret relationship that Ocean had with a gentleman “4 summers ago” that he vividly recalls in a typed document simply titled “thank yous.”
Frank described the first time he expressed his love to the mystery man.
How did he react?
“He said kind things. He did his best, but he wouldn’t admit the same,” Ocean wrote. “He had to go back inside soon, it was late and his girlfriend was waiting for him upstairs.”
Frank stated that the man he loved wouldn’t reveal his true feelings until 3 years after this encounter.
There has been an outpouring of support following Frank’s coming out post with people taking to their Twitter or Facebook accounts to commend him for being honest and for letting fans and spectators into his private life openly.
Some have even wondered if Frank’s bravery will encourage other popular Hip-Hop and R&B artists to follow in his steps.
Rumors run rampant in the Hip-Hop/R&B community about how artists or people in the music industry are leading double lives in regards to their sexualities by perpetrating lifestyles that are far from their day-to-day lives. Allegedly they do this to protect their images and to pacify fans.
Of course, by the end of the day, it isn’t anyone’s concern about those in the public eye’s sexualities besides their own. However, it is refreshing when they feel free enough to share their truths with their fans.
Frank closed out his open letter by expressing how grateful he is for his first love even if it wasn’t what he had hoped for.
“I don’t know what happens now, and that’s alright.” Frank writes near the close of his letter, “I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore.”
Sound off: Do you think that Frank confirming his sexuality will inspire others to do the same? How do you think this will affect his career?
