Stephen Gately
supports Westlife singer's coming-out

Gay singer Stephen Gately, formerly of the boy band Boyzone, has publicly announced his support of fellow boy-bander Mark Feehily after Westlife singer Feehiliy disclosed his homosexuality to the press. ContactMusic.com reports that Gately praised the 25-year-old Feehily for his honesty and for making life better for other gay people. "What he's done will help thousands of other youngsters who fear the effect coming out will have on their families," said Gately. "I was in a similar position when I was in Boyzone. But coming out was the best thing I ever did. I got so much support from my friends, family, and my fans. I was inundated with letters from people saying I had given them the courage to do the same. I remember one of the letters was from a young guy telling me he was suicidal until he read my interview and that had given him the courage to come out."

Gately also noted that it wasn't just the fans who praised him for coming out: "I got flowers and letters of support from Sir Elton John, George Michael, and the Spice Girls."