There was much rejoicing in Hollywood yesterday following the ruling of a federal judge in San Francisco that Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage in the state of California, is unconstitutional. "This just in: Equality won," tweeted Ellen DeGeneres. Ricky Martin's joy was unconfined: "YEAHHHHH!!!!! #PROP8UNCONSTITUTIONAL MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!!"
It's a pity Martin didn't condemn Proposition 8 in 2008 when it was first brought forward by anti-gay campaigners. As a role model for many Latino men, Martin's opposition might have dissuaded some of them from voting for it. But then he hadn't come out as a gay man at that point. He didn't take that step until March of this year and some mean-spirited commentators suggested it was only because he had a book to promote. Up until then the successful Puerto Rican singer and actor had never disclosed he was gay and even fathered two children. (To read more, click here.)
