Gay Mexican Pop Star Praises Fan Support

MEXICO CITY - Christian Chavez, a member of the wildly popular Mexican band RBD, says he's lived the life he always wanted since coming out of the closet three months ago.
Chavez told the Televisa network Wednesday the public revelation allowed him to "begin a healing process in which I left things behind and began many wonderful things."
The 23-year-old singer made the announcement in March after photos of him kissing and exchanging rings with another man showed up on the Internet.
Chavez said fan support helped him overcome nervousness about an appearance in McAllen, Texas, shortly after his announcement.
"I was afraid to go on stage, but people were really, really nice," he said. "I felt free and could sing like I've never sung before."
He said the support was a reflection of a more open Mexican society, but added that he still wants to fight for gays to be respected - not just tolerated.
RBD rose to fame as the musically inclined cast of "Rebelde," a high school drama that became a long-running soap opera. The band has performed around the world in English and Spanish.
Chavez and the band were scheduled to leave this weekend for concerts in Romania and Spain.
from The Associated Press

Ricky Martin Defends Gay Musicians

MEXICO CITY - Ricky Martin defended the right of pop stars to come out of the closet, saying he felt solidarity with Christian Chavez of Mexican band RBD, who recently said publicly that he is gay.
"Life is too short to live closed up, guarding what you say," said Martin - whose sexual orientation has been the subject of speculation - in an interview with The Associated Press. Christian "has to be free in many aspects. I wish him much strength."
Martin, who was named person of the year in 2006 by the Latin Recording Academy, has hits including "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "Shake Your Bon-Bon."
He said his nonprofit Ricky Martin Foundation inspires him in his songwriting. One of the foundation's programs, People for Children, works toward the elimination of human trafficking, especially trafficking of children.
"When you start to work with social problems, it gets the attention of the media and people think it's a farce," the 35-year-old singer said. "It's a spiritual search. The philanthropic work helps me write music and the music helps me in the philanthropic work."
Martin said it was great that more celebrities are working with charities.
"If this is a fashion, then I hope a lot more fashions like this come along."
He will tour the U.S. in April and May.
RBD, which spun off Mexico's wildly popular soap opera, "Rebelde," has achieved success throughout Latin America and among Spanish speakers in the United States.
from The Associated Press