This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/6419069.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mexican singer breaks gay taboo | Mexican singer breaks gay taboo |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A Mexican pop star has revealed to fans he is gay, breaking a taboo in a country where it is highly unusual for celebrities to make such statements. | A Mexican pop star has revealed to fans he is gay, breaking a taboo in a country where it is highly unusual for celebrities to make such statements. |
| Christian Chavez, 23, belongs to RBD, a band that emerged from popular TV soap Rebelde (Rebel). | |
| He said he did not "want to keep on lying" about his life, after pictures emerged of him with a man apparently taking part in a ceremony in Canada. | |
| The announcement had taken "a lot of bravery", one Mexican columnist wrote. | The announcement had taken "a lot of bravery", one Mexican columnist wrote. |
| Yuriria Sierra asked in Excelsior newspaper: "Why has no Mexican public figure... felt comfortable enough to openly express their sexual preference?" | Yuriria Sierra asked in Excelsior newspaper: "Why has no Mexican public figure... felt comfortable enough to openly express their sexual preference?" |
| Mexican gay rights activist Sergio Villarreal said he considered the singer to represent "a new way of seeing things, less prejudiced and more open". | Mexican gay rights activist Sergio Villarreal said he considered the singer to represent "a new way of seeing things, less prejudiced and more open". |
| "Christian Chavez's decision symbolises this new way of seeing life, and raises hope of a more inclusive future with more respect for differences." | "Christian Chavez's decision symbolises this new way of seeing life, and raises hope of a more inclusive future with more respect for differences." |
| 'Tolerance' appeal | 'Tolerance' appeal |
| The star, known for his ever-changing hair colours, was apparently pictured signing documents and exchanging rings with a man in 2005, the year in which gay marriages became legal in Canada. | The star, known for his ever-changing hair colours, was apparently pictured signing documents and exchanging rings with a man in 2005, the year in which gay marriages became legal in Canada. |
| Chavez said the photos showed a part of him that he had not been willing to discuss previously "in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences". | Chavez said the photos showed a part of him that he had not been willing to discuss previously "in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences". |
| I ask them from the bottom of my heart, not to judge me for being honest and to feel proud of who they are Christian Chavez, to his fans | I ask them from the bottom of my heart, not to judge me for being honest and to feel proud of who they are Christian Chavez, to his fans |
| "Although I'm scared and filled with uncertainty, I know that I can rely on the support of my fans. | "Although I'm scared and filled with uncertainty, I know that I can rely on the support of my fans. |
| "Their love is bigger than all of this. I ask them from the bottom of my heart, not to judge me for being honest and to feel proud of who they are and never make the same mistake I did." | "Their love is bigger than all of this. I ask them from the bottom of my heart, not to judge me for being honest and to feel proud of who they are and never make the same mistake I did." |
| He added: "Tolerance to diversity!" | He added: "Tolerance to diversity!" |
| RBD have been successful across Latin America and have also gained fans among the Spanish-speaking community in the US. | RBD have been successful across Latin America and have also gained fans among the Spanish-speaking community in the US. |
| The group made the news in February 2006 when three people were crushed to death outside an autograph-signing session in Brazil. | The group made the news in February 2006 when three people were crushed to death outside an autograph-signing session in Brazil. |
| Thousands of fans had surged through security barriers in Sao Paulo. | Thousands of fans had surged through security barriers in Sao Paulo. |