Tommy Torres has publicly admitted that he used to be homophobic when he was younger. In a heartfelt message posted earlier this week, the Puerto Rican singer/songwriter revealed that seeing two men hold hands was enough for him to feel uncomfortable. He also expressed how he used to make fun of people in same-sex relationships.
However, it was some of his closest friends who made him understand he was wrong. On his Facebook page, the 44-year-old Latin Grammy winner opened up about his past and why he was against the LGBT community for many years. His message came after he watched a viral video of two cops getting engaged during London's Pride Parade.
At the ending of the letter he noted some of his colleagues, such as Ricky Martin and Kany García, who came out in recent years, thanking them for making him understand that "love is love" regardless of sexual preferences. Read his entire statement below.
Fifteen years ago, my reaction to this video would have been very different. Because of the way I was raised (and also the way my parents were raised), I was a young homophobic, I accept it.
Seeing two men holding hands was enough for me to feel uncomfortable and to start making jokes among friends, in addition to judging and giving reasons why I thought that behavior was wrong, based on what I had been taught.
But there’s a phrase that says: PREJUDICE DOES NOT SURVIVE PROXIMITY. Learning that my best friend from elementary school is gay, my great musical colleague and friend of many years is gay, in addition to getting to know and making close friendships with many gay people has made me see the absurdity of my prejudices. We judge what we don't know.
Today, I see this video and I get very excited because I do not see gender, orientation or beliefs, all I see is LOVE.
Thank you Michael, Ricky, Waldo, Carlitos, Kany, Jocy, Raymond and all of you who unknowingly have taught me that #loveislove.
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