Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, who has never publicly addressed questions about his sexuality, confirmed on his Web site Monday that he is gay.

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"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," the recording artist said on RickyMartinMusic.com. "I am very blessed to be who I am."

People.com quoted Martin as saying his loved ones long advised him to keep his sexual orientation a secret for fear it would damage his career; however, he also explained how his twin sons, who are to turn 2 in August, inspired him to be honest about who he is.

"To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids were born with," Martin wrote on his blog.

"These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed."