Mark Feehily of
the popular Irish boy band Westlife has come out, reports
The [London] Daily Mirror. "I want
people to know the truth," Feehily, 25, told the
Mirror. "I am gay, and I'm very proud of who I
am. I'm not asking for sympathy or to be a role model for
someone else. I simply felt it was the right time to tell
the truth." Feehily, who has been in a relationship
for several months with singer Kevin McDaid (formerly
of the band V), went on to say, "I'm not worried about
how people react because I'm happy being who I am. I'm
still the same person the day I was before. I'm sure
Westlife fans will be pleased I'm happy. I don't think
it changes anything. All the lads in Westlife have
settled down and are in relationships, so why can't I
be?" A platinum-selling act in Ireland and the United
Kingdom, Westlife has up until now had only minor
impact in the United States.