Ricky Martin is Vito Russo Awardee at GLAAD 2011

The self-proclaimed gay superstar Ricky Martin is one of the major recipients of prestigious awards from the recent 22nd Annual Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD 2011) held at the New York Marriott Marquis on Saturday (March 19) in New York City.

The Latino pop singer was honored with Vito Russo Award, (named after Victor Russo, a famous gay activist) for being an inspiration to many gays and lesbians for coming out in the open confidently and proudly.

The GLAAD Media Awards centers on the upliftment and positive acceptance of gay, bisexual and transgender community by the society especially in the media and everything that affects their lives. Their valuable contributions and their good influence in the society through their talents are one of the criteria that the award giving body is greatly considering.

With this, they had their eyes to Puerto Rican born singer Ricky Martin when he became the special guest at “Oprah Winfrey Show” and talks freely about raising his twin boys and admitting that he is a gay.”

That particular episode was regarded as one of the controversial, sensitive and brave revelation that answered a 10 decade question-“Is Ricky Martin a gay?” and enlightened some confused minds. With this interview, he was then idolized and tagged as the new gay role model in the world particularly in Latin Americas.

After a decade in the industry, rocking the world with his heart popping music genre and dance craze tunes like the salsa-style song “Livin la Vida Loca” “She Bangs” and many more, portraying a manly image in his music videos with his signature tight leather pants v-neck shirt, this 39 year old handsome hunk that was fantasized by women all over the world turned out to have a woman’s heart. He even had a girlfriend for over 14 years named Rebecca de Alba, so no one suspected about his true sexuality.

Many were dismayed, many were mummed, many rejoiced, but it brought a great relief to Ricky Martin especially. It was something spectacular and made him live a meaningful and happy life now. And his life became brighter and fulfilled with the birth of his twin in 2008 named Matteo and Valentino through a surrogate mother.

“I’ve been through an intense spiritual process for the last five years, especially the last two years, I'm walking today with my head up high, and to be here? To be receiving an award? I’ve only started,” he said happily when interviewed.
GLAAD is also set to release its second batch of awards on April 10 in Los Angeles and in May 14 in San Francisco, so better watch out because who knows, maybe one of your idols will be on the list.
Ricky Martin latest bilingual album entitled Música + Alma + Sexo which was released on February 1, 2011 was already soaring up in the billboard list.

By Joanna Rossi, www.salsacircuit.com

Posted in 2010 latin grammy , GLAAD Media Awards , Música + Alma + Sexo , ricky martin , ricky martin gay , vito russo awardee 2011