REM singer has more closets than Ikea, say reports

Newspapers and blogs across the planet are getting het up about the revelation that REM singer Michael Stipe has revealed he's gay a mere, er, seven years after he first spoke about his sexuality. The likes of US blog Stereogum and the New Zealand Herald are quoting an article in Spin magazine as the source for the confirmation that Stipe is gay rather than the "equal opportunities lech" he previously described himself as when promoting the Reveal album.

Judge for yourselves, but Stipe's comments looks less like a full revelation that his bank account is jam-packed with pink dollars than a discussion of the role famous types can play in breaking down prejudice and helping their fans come to terms with their sexual identity, whatever it might be. In the piece, Stipe says "It was super complicated for me in the '80s ... I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious." One imagines they did too. He added that he "didn't always see" how being honest about his sexuality could help others. "But I see now, of course, that's the case," he continues. "I'd just never felt strongly enough about a particular relationship to say, 'Yeah, he's my boyfriend, that is what it is.' Now I recognize that to have public figures be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere out there." REM are currently promoting new album, Accelerate

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