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Los Angeles, CA — Yep, he's gay! After years of speculation and innuendo, the sexually ambiguous lead singer for the rock band R.E.M, Michael Stipe, has decided to come out more publicly as a gay artist. Although technically Stipe revealed his sexuality in a 2001 Time magazine interview, he recently made the decision to talk publicly about being gay in order to help younger kids who are trying to come to terms with their own sexuality.

The 48-year-old singer, who hails from Decatur, Georgia, helped found one of the most prolific indie rock bands of the generation. R.E.M. became a huge mainstream success with their hit albums Out of Time and Automatic for the People, and with Michael as their front man, had a string of hits throughout the last few decades.

Although he relayed in the 2001 interview that he was a "queer artist," he said that he did not want to be identified as gay, straight or bisexual.

This week he told Spin magazine, "I recognize that to have public figures be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere out there."

Although Stipe has never felt the need to discuss his sexuality before, he informed the magazine that he now felt that it was important to be open and honest in order to provide understanding and hope for the younger generation.

"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."

Stipe stated that in the past he didn't see that being out could be so important for others. "I didn't always see that. But I see now, of course that's the case, of course that's needed."

R.E.M.'s next album, Accelerate, is due out later next month be followed by a world tour. 

Written By Dylan Vox
Article provided in partnership with GayWebMonkey.com.