Frank Ocean Comes Out, Celebrities Have His Back
I recently read a list of 9 Careers Where It’s Still Not Okay to Be Gay, and believe you me, rapper is definitely one of them. I know Frank Ocean‘s coming out as a bisexual was overshadowed by Anderson Cooper‘s coming out, but Frank Ocean truly deserves some props.
I mean, the guy is a rapper, singer-songwriter in hip-hop, people. That genre of music has rarely been a supportive environment for homosexuality. In fact, Frank Ocean and his crew Odd Future were banned from a gig once for the group’s homosexual lyrics. Imagine being surrounded by that animosity on the daily.
Ocean had to confront the rumors surrounding his sexual orientation when critics noticed that his songs from his upcoming debut album Channel Orange referred to a romantic partner as “he” and “him.”
Gaydar went crazy. On Tuesday, Ocean released some of the liner notes from Channel Orange to confirm everyone’s gay inklings. What he released was actually heartbreakingly beautiful. Ocean describes his first love who happens to be a man. The two were both 19 and spent two summers together.
Frank Ocean possibly swimming in the ocean?
“4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realised I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with.”
I wish people could articulate their feelings this well. They eventually parted ways, but Ocean says he’s “grateful” for the experience. “ I won’t forget you,” writes Ocean. “I won’t forget the summer. I’ll remember who I was when I met you. I’ll remember who you were and how we’ve both changed and stayed the same.”
I could cry right now reading this, slash, I got pretty misty-eyed reading it yesterday. I know people will now categorize Ocean as a ‘gay’ rapper. But this man is legit, and truly brave.
Many celebrities, friends, and fans have made it known that they have Ocean’s back.
Tyler, the Creator (left) and Frank Ocean bustin’ a move at the 2012 Coachella Festival.
“My Big Brother Finally F–king Did That,” tweeted Tyler, the Creator who’s been accused of writing homophobic lyrics. “Proud Of That Ni–a Cause I Know That S–t Is Difficult Or Whatever. Anyway. Im A Toilet.”
Jay-Z‘s website posted an open letter to Ocean praising the young rapper for showing ”great courage and beauty and fearlessness in [his] coming out, not only as a bisexual Black man, but as a broken hearted one.”
“Dear @frank_ocean, I ask that U guide my thoughts, my feelings & my perceptions AMEN,” tweeted RuPaul.
“Frank, we thank you,” wrote Russell Simmons in an open letter to Global Grind. “We support you. We love you.”
Agreed. We’ll continue to support you, Frank Ocean.
