One Voice ProductionsBilly Gilman has come out as gay. The 26-year-old singer made the announcement via a YouTube post on Thursday, the same day his friend and fellow country artist, Ty Herndon, revealed he was gay.
“It’s taken me a good many weeks to figure out how I was to approach this video that you’re watching right now,” Gilman begins the video. “But today, actually, a fellow country artist and friend made it easier for me to make this video. And I wanted my fans, who have stuck by me for many, many years, to know.”
Gilman went on to explain that he decided to come out after he was spotted with his partner by a local reporter.
“We filmed a video for the single ‘Say You Will’ in Rhode Island and was getting ready to do an interview with a reporter, locally,” he recalls. “And coincidentally I ran into this reporter at a local fall festival with my partner, someone who I am happily now sharing my life with.”
“This reporter took a picture of us and it was in that moment that I knew that I’d rather it be from me, than you reading it somewhere else, and probably filled with not truth,” he adds.
Gilman also expressed his displeasure at the Nashville establishment, which he claims discriminates against gay artists.
“Being a gay male country artist is not the best thing,” he says, explaining, “You know, if people don’t like your music, that’s one thing. But after having sold over five million records and having a wonderful life in the music industry, I knew something was wrong when no major label wanted to sit down and have a meeting and listen to the new stuff.”
Gilman, however, had nothing but praise for his fellow artists.
“I want to say that all of the country artists that literally I grew up in front of, Keith Urban, Vince [Gill] and LeAnn Rimes and all of these wonderful friends of mine, have been nothing but supportive,” he insists. “Not that they knew, but they have been such wonderful people.”
“So I thank you for your support,” he concluded, noting, “I know some people won’t agree with this. And that’s OK. To each his own. But I felt it was time for me to be honest and to be truthful. I love you all and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”
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