Ricky Martin Rallies Against New Hate Crime Laws

Ricky Martin is none too happy with Puerto Rico’s Senate right now.

Fox News Latino is reporting that the Boricua superstar has expressed disapproval over a move by the body to amend a hate-crime law. Why is the 39-year-old so upset, exactly? Because the change in the law would reportedly remove the protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of Puerto Rico.

Ricky Martin Comes Out of the Closet (Finally)

Martin took to his website to express his feelings over the move. “I'm very sad about the turn the discussion on Criminal Law is taking in Puerto Rico that proposes the elimination of aggravating factors in cases where crimes are committed out of prejudice toward the victim,” Martin wrote. The gorgeous singer came out as a gay man last year via his website and since then has been outwardly proud about his sexuality. “I am very blessed to be who I am,” he wrote in a long address on his website.

Ricky Martin is 'GLAAD' to be Gay

As for the plan for Puerto Rico’s hate-crime law, Fox News Latino also reports that the Puerto Rican chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union recently expressed its opposition to the Senate bill that would eliminate the factor in hate crimes against LGBT people and foreigners (principally represented on Puerto Rico by Dominicans).

The lower house of the Puerto Rican legislature will reportedly take up the Senate measure.

In his address, Martin added that some politicians in Puerto Rico are “promoting inequality and hate,” while great nations focus on providing their citizens with basic rights.

SOURCE Amaris Castillo

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Posted in 2011 Ricky Martin , American Civil Liberties Union , Puerto Rican legislature , ricky martin , Ricky Martin GLAAD Awards , ricky martin gay

Singer Ricky Martin has obtained Spanish citizenship and thanked the government in a written statement.

Apparently, the Puerto Rican singer had applied for citizenship in March, noting that his grandmother is Iberian with a home in Madrid. He also established friend and model Esther Cañadas' home as a residence.

Many say that this measure to obtain citizenship was in an effort to marry boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez, although there was no direct mention of any alleged wedding plans.

"I made the request for Spanish citizenship some time ago, I was just waiting for a response. This step is part of planning for the future within a global community of whom I am part. I was born in Puerto Rico. That is my country. Spain is a country with which I share many memories and strong ties born of my roots and the love they have given me since I first visited."

According to rumors, Martin and his partner could marry in a few states in the United States, but he prefers to wed in Spain to recognize the work of the Zapatero government in defense of gay rights.

Some controversy over the move emerged in his native Puerto Rico, with resentment over leaving behind his homeland. Martin did say, emphatically, that "I'm Puerto Rican, and that's my home." The move toward legalizing gay marriage has not seen any momentum in Puerto Rico, where Martin has said he would like to be married.

Another famous actor shared the honor of Spanish citizenship with Ricky Martin this week -- Academy Award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro.

Both Martin and Del Toro received dual citizenship through "naturalization papers" given at the discretion of the Spanish government under extraordinary circumstances. In both cases, the Ministry of Justice stressed closer personal and professional ties to Spain. Both actors will hold dual citizenship because they originate from Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory and thereby makes them U.S. citizens.

"I inform you that the government has granted Spanish citizenship to both Benicio Del Toro and Enrique Martin Morales, known artistically as Ricky Martin. ... Allow me to note that both are recognized for different facets artistically and they want to share Spanish nationality with all of us. The government, therefore, congratulates both of them," said minister Jose Blanco, spokesman for the Spanish government.

Martin has lived for several years with his partner, financier Carlos Gonzalez, and Martin's 3-year-old twin sons, Matteo and Valentino. In 2010 Martin made his homosexuality public, after years of rumors from critics and fans. He characterized being a gay man as "the gift of a lifetime."

Asked about marriage recently, Martin shot down the idea emphatically.


Source: Rafael Abreu

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Posted in 2011 best ricky martin relationship , 2011 top ricky martin romance , Carlos Gonzalez , ricky martin gay , ricky martin married

Ricky Martin Says He Wants to Have a Daughter

Singer Ricky Martin, who is already the father of twin boys, told an Argentine newspaper that he would like to have a daughter.

"As I have the two little boys, now I want a daddy's girl," the openly gay superstar said in an interview with Buenos Aires daily Clarin.

Martin's twins, Matteo and Valentino, were born in 2008 to a surrogate mother.

The Puerto Rican singer came to Buenos Aires to promote his latest album, "Musica+Alma+Sexo," but Argentina buzzed with rumors that a wedding would be part of his visit to the first Latin American country to allow same-sex marriage.

Those expectations were dashed when Martin arrived in Buenos Aires without his partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

In an interview Tuesday night with the diva of Argentine television, Susana Gimenez, the artist said marriage is not part of his plans at the moment.

Martin, who was received by President Cristina Fernandez at the Casa Rosada, Argentina's White House, also filmed part of a music video on the streets of Buenos Aires and autographed CDs for fans.

The singer will return to Argentina in September as part of his "Musica+Alma+Sexo" tour.

Source | EFE

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Posted in gay ricky martin , Martin's twins , Matteo and Valentino , ricky martin , ricky martin gay , Spanish Citizenship ricky martin

Ricky Martin to Open Children's Center to Help Fight Human Trafficking in Puerto Rico

Ricky Martin  is expanding his philanthropy projects and opening up a new Prevention Center for kids with his organization "The Children's Foundation."

The new facility is set to open early next year in Loiza, Puerto Rico according to the Latin American Herald Tribune.

Martin's news comes days after he held a fund-raising golf tournament with his non profit for the new children's center which aims to fight human trafficking, especially that of kids in the island. The gathering was held at the Trump International Golf Resort in the east coast of Puerto Rico known as Rio Grande.

He also reinforced his plans of opening more centers in various countries.

“This is just the start of a project that is going to spread across the rest of the island and on to the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Latin America,” The Latin American Herald Tribune quoted Martin saying at his fundraiser.

The official name of the establishment will be "The Ricky Martin Foundation Child Development and Prevention Center." It will be partnering with SER-- a non profit in Puerto Rico known as "the Our School and Community Initiative."

Toddlers to high school students will be cared for in the institution, which as the Tribune reports will have a budget of $4 million, 10 classrooms, a library as well as a recreation area.

“We need to and we want to make a difference for the children and young people of Loiza. We will be there to give them support and the tools they need to guarantee them a better future,” said Martin who also highlighted the center will highlight values such as music, sports, meditation, health and the arts.

Source  Alexandra J. Gratereaux

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Posted in Latin American Herald Tribune , ricky martin , ricky martin gay , The Children's Foundation

Ricky Martin May Seek Spanish Citizenship to Marry his Longtime BF

The Spanish-language tabloids are claiming that Ricky Martin may be seeking Spanish citizenship in order to make his relationship with longtime boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez official.

His good friend, Spanish model Esther Cañadas, has reportedly even offered up her house so that Ricky can have a place to stay while he applies for citizenship. The whispers began just weeks after the Puerto Rican pop star openly confirmed his relationship with Gonzalez by thanking him at the GLAAD awards. He may even be planning a move to the motherland since same-sex marriage is legal there.

Martin has yet to confirm the wedding bells, telling the media coyly, "It would be lovely, but there are no plans at the moment to marry." Gonzalez was front and center as Ricky kicked off his world tour in San Juan, so marriage or not—they are definitely going strong!


Source Mariela Rosario

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Posted in GLAAD awards , ricky martin , ricky martin gay , same-sex marriage 2011 , Spanish Citizenship ricky martin

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

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