Hip Hop Singer Frank Ocean Comes Out as Gay... and Gets Support!

This is pretty cool news...

As reported in the New York Times,

Frank Ocean revealed last week on his Tumblr account that his first true love was a man.

"FOUR SUMMERS AGO.  I MET SOMEBODY.  I WAS 19 YEARS OLD.  HE WAS TOO.  WE SPENT THAT SUMMER, AND THE SUMMER AFTER, TOGETHER.  EVERYDAY ALMOST.  AND ON THE DAYS WE WERE TOGETHER, TIME WOULD GLIDE.  MOST OF THE DAY I'D SEE HIM.  AND HIS SMILE.  I'D HEAR HIS CONVERSATION AND HIS SILENCE.. UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO SLEEP.  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, NO NEGOTIATING WITH THE FEELING.  NO CHOICE.  IT WAS MY FIRST LOVE.  IT CHANGED MY LIFE." 

This post was followed by a lot of support, including Russell Simmons, a founder and former owner of the Def Jam label, who wrote this, "The Courage of Frank Ocean Just Changed The Game!":

"...I am profoundly moved by the courage and honesty of Frank Ocean.  Your decision to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so many young people still living in fear.  These types 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 one of the greatest new artists we have.

His gifts are undeniable. His talent, enormous.  His bravery, incredible.  His actions this morning will uplift our consciousness and allow us to become better people.  Every single one of us is born with peace and tranquility in our heart.  Frank just found his.

Frank, we thank you.  We support you.  We love you.

- Russell Simmons"

That's a real sign that our world is changing for the better!

Namaste,
Lee