The White House announced that President Barack Obama will be fundraising with Ricky Martin. Martin, who is gay, came out of the closet on his own website almost a year ago.
"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," Martin said as part of his announcement. "I am very blessed to be who I am."
The fundraiser comes less than a week after President Obama announced on ABC that he personally favors same sex marriage.
Interestingly, Martin headlined President George W. Bush's inaguaral ball in 2001. But at a 2007 concert he publically blasted Bush for the Iraq war.
Martin is perhaps most famous his 1999 hit song, "Livin' la Vida Loca," and numerous other pop hits.
"I am proud to support our president," Martin said about Obama, regarding his hosting a fundraiser for the sitting president. "I believe Barack Obama has shown a deep conviction to help those most in need, even if their voices are not always the ones heard the loudest in Washington. He has also been an exceptionally strong advocate for the Latino and LGBT communities, leading us to precedent setting milestones such as the appointment of the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice and the repeal of DADT. With his actions, I believe the president has put the United States back on the right path and has earned the opportunity to finish the critical work that he has started."
About 200 people will be at the Martin fundraiser for Obama. "Tickets for this event start at $5,000," the White House announced.
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