Anthony Callea proud, happy and gay

Singer and Australian Idol runner-up Anthony Callea is gay, and has no issue with [his] sexuality, he announced on his official website this week.

Callea’s sexuality had been the subject of rumours since his appearance on the high-rating television series. But when asked about it in 2004, he said he was straight.

When I was first asked if I was gay, I remember being scared, shocked, and intruded upon, he wrote on anthonycallea.com.

It was very confronting at the time and I wasn’t mentally prepared for it. I lied and, for that, I’m sorry.

Callea, who has been in a relationship for two and a half years, also wrote he hated himself for being gay during his teenage years, but had learned to feel good about his sexuality.

Yes, I am gay, he wrote.

But I want it clear that I am proud, happy, comfortable and confident in who I am.

In my late teens, I had difficulty coming to terms with my sexuality. Whether it was perceived family pressures, or the feelings of being a disappointment, or of not meeting my own expectations, those first years were extremely difficult.

Callea wrote he had come out to his parents a year before competing on Australian Idol, but did not want to be known as the gay contestant.

The singer’s decision to come out has been applauded by gay activists, including i ragazzi, an advocacy group for Italian-Australian gay men.

Callea came close to disclosing his sexuality in an interview with Sydney Star Observer last year. When asked about the persistent gay rumours, he said he did not want to talk about his personal life, to protect his friends, family and relationships.

But he added he would be happy to perform at Mardi Gras if the opportunity arose.

I wouldn’t say no to anything really, he said. Anything at all.