Michael Stipe, the lead singer of rock band R.E.M. has announced that he’s gay. It’s probably one of the worst kept secrets around, but Stipe says he’s making it public because he not only wants to be a positive role model for youngsters out there, he also hopes it will be a catalyst for others to make some decisions about their own sexuality.

When speaking to Us Weekly magazine, Stipe said that he’s avoided questions about his sexuality in the past because he didn’t think there was any way that coming out could be of use to others. “But I see now, of course, that’s the case. I’d just never felt strongly enough about a particular relationship to say, ‘Yeah, he’s my boyfriend, that is what it is.’”

He went on to urge other public figures out there to do the same. “I recognise that to have public figures be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere out there.”

While chatting to Spin magazine he said, “It was super complicated for me in the eighties. 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.”

Congratulations to Michael. Now lets kick back and enjoy one of R.E.M’s gayer moments.