Ricky Martin Honored At amfAR's Black Tie/Black Leather Gala

NEW YORK — Ricky Martin has stepped out in style at an AIDS research organization's New York City gala celebrating men's fashion. It's one of his first public appearances since announcing he's gay.

Celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Cyndi Lauper attended Thursday night's amfAR event, which honored the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer for his philanthropic contributions through his foundation.

Minogue hosted the black tie/black leather event. She says she is happy for Martin and feels he's "embracing and living life" since announcing in late March he's gay.

Designer Jean-Paul Gaultier was honored for his contributions to menswear and his humanitarian work.

The gala benefits amfAR's AIDS research programs.

Comments

[Randy Shepherd]

01:09 AM on 06/06/2010

Ricky, you should have worn black leather, yum.

[Al91206]

11:25 PM on 06/05/2010

This is nice, but let's not forget him supporting GW Bush during the 2000 race. Not all is forgiven in my opinion. While he didn't come right out and say that he endorsed Bush, he was part of the Miami anti-Castro fanatic club (Gloria Estefan, etc - very GOP) and even sang at Bush's inauguration.

[Hardyman1966]

01:03 AM on 06/06/2010

I know more than a few people who drank the Kool Aid and supported Bush the first time, who have since have regretted their choice big time. Things change.

[josephRoehl]

06:05 PM on 06/05/2010

congratulations to Ricky Martin and Cyndi Lauper and Kylie Minogue. You're all such fine and caring human beings. We need lots more of you in public defense of equal rights for all GLBT individuals and families.

[roch20]

03:25 PM on 06/05/2010

Good for you, Ricky...te queremos papi!

[inthedesert]

01:46 PM on 06/05/2010

I understand Ricky's latest....um...crush is a guy named Valerio Pino who's an Italian fashion model.....I saw a nude photo of this guy.....LUCKY RICKY!!!!

[jml87]

10:27 PM on 06/05/2010

I've seen the pics too... Damn beautiful people, dating each other and junk. >_

[Hardyman1966]

01:04 AM on 06/06/2010

(thump) Just looked that up.

Not sure who to be jealous of more. :)

[CheapTrick]

11:27 AM on 06/05/2010

Ok people... I know in the presswhore world we live in, we like it when people "speak out" or "announce" things but Ricky Martin isn't Chely Wright, he didn't "announce" he was gay. He just quietly mentioned it on his blog.

Good for him... think he's great... but he isn't the desperate-for-attention reality show "stars" we're used to... he's just a guy who sings for a living.

[faster72i]

03:07 PM on 06/05/2010

well, he's releasing a new album. i, at least, find the timing suspicious...

[CheapTrick]

11:13 PM on 06/05/2010

No, he's recording one. Like he has been MANY times in his career.

Chely Wright came out the same week as her book, her album and her cover story on People Magazine. She did a HUGE press tour and her manager gave a huge press build up promoting her coming out. THAT was tacky.

Ricky did it classy and didn't sell the story to People Magazine (and he could have made BANK for that one).

[Hardyman1966]

01:07 AM on 06/06/2010

What timing?

This was never a very well-kept secret.

By the time he quietly said, "Oh, by the way...", the general reaction was, "So?" :)

[MightyMeno]

08:14 PM on 06/04/2010

Caliente! Yum yum!

[robjh1]

06:40 PM on 06/04/2010

More power to Rick. You gotta do what ya gotta do to be happy in this life. Beside it's nobody's business but his. This should be the mantra of all. Entitle to all rights as humans. Marriage is just a piece of paper if you have the rights of a couple who cares about marraige?

[Jdaddy1951]

05:14 PM on 06/04/2010

A well-deserved honor for a hunky openly gay celebrity. I intend for Ricky Martin to be my next husband.

Ricky, call me!

[Hardyman1966]

05:45 PM on 06/04/2010

I'm thinking you're still going to be fighting a LOT of women who would STILL fight ya for him. Wear a cup. :)

[Jdaddy1951]

07:24 PM on 06/04/2010

LOL, Ricky mine. Stay away, women. Jdaddy want Ricky ...

[Jeannette Kvammen]

11:43 AM on 06/04/2010

Love him

[situationcritical]

11:14 AM on 06/04/2010

Martin is very sexy, but Kylie Minogue is more of a gay icon than Ricky could ever hope to be.

[Hardyman1966]

04:44 PM on 06/04/2010

I don't know anyone who thinks of him as a "gay icon", considering he never made it part of his act in the first place. Who knows what he can do next? Aside from whatever he wants.

With his class and humility, I doubt he'll feel the need to George-Michael-it-up. (No offense to George, but honestly, bathrooms? What were you thinking?)

[situationcritical]

05:25 PM on 06/04/2010

My comment was more about Kylie than Ricky. Yes, no one thinks of him as a gay icon. Kylie, however, has a following that rivals Madonna.

[AnitaMan]

12:48 PM on 06/05/2010

george was horny

[AlikiMarinos]

11:09 AM on 06/04/2010

Ricky you look absolutely fantastic everytime!!!! Your true fans always support you!!!! XOXO

[OverIt]

09:37 AM on 06/04/2010

Go Ricky! Love him! He's such a beautiful, caring person who was donating money and speaking out on behalf of exploited children even before it was "in-fashion". His foundation ( www.rickymartinfoundation.org ) continues to do amazing work in the global fight against human trafficking! AND he's hot!

[PrideCraddock]

09:19 AM on 06/04/2010

Rick...I always knew you were gay, My loved stemmed from your art. Make a new Album...your style is missed..

[Hardyman1966]

08:52 AM on 06/04/2010

Nice. So when's he back?