The Sun- Wednesday June 16th 1999

Thought: Brave Stephen

WORLD EXCLUSIVE

BOYZONE STEPHEN: I'M GAY AND I'M IN LOVE

THE TIME IS RIGHT TO TELL THE WORLD WHO I REALLY AM

by RAV SINGH and SAM CARLISLE

In the most moving showbiz interview you will ever read, Boyzone star Stephen Gately today tells the world he is gay.
With the full support of the rest of the band, Stephen, 23, has decided to talk freely about his love life for the first time.
For six years he has avoided questions about his sexuality. Now - after learning that someone was planning to sell a twisted version of his story - he has made the momentous decision to be honest to himself and his adoring fans.
And he has chosen to do so in the Sun. Stephen says: "This is the most important day of my life. From today I will have the freedom to finally be myself."

Stephen slumps back on a sofa and utters three words that will change his life forever. "I am gay."

After six years in the phenomenally successful boy band, Stephen - a pin-up to teenage girls around the world - has made the courageous decision to come out.

Speaking softly but with conviction, he says: "This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do but I owe it to our fans - as well as to myself - to be completely honest. I know this may come as a bombshell to our followers. Many of them will be upset. I only hope they understand how important it isfor me to reveal I am gay."

Stephen's words come at a time when Boyzone can claim the title of the biggest-selling boy band in Britain.

He says: "I think the moment is now right to tell the world who I really am. Boyzone have just finished a sell-out UK tour and we've sold millions of records but I can't begin to enjoy that success until I can be the real me." Stephen's timing also owes a lot to the strength of his feeling for his partner - Dutchman Eloy de Jong.

The couple met four years ago at a showbiz bash in London, but they only began their relationship in November last year. Until then, Eloy, 26, was part of the Dutch boy band Caught In The Act. The group topped the chart in Europe and the Far East and sold four million albums worldwide before splitting to pursue solo careers.

Stephen recalls: "I kept bumping into Eloy at gigs and we became good friends. But last year we realised our feelings were stronger than friendship. I was nervous about being discovered but it felt so right."

The strain of keeping their relationship a secret has been enormous. Stephen says: "There have always been rumours but more recently I've heard that someone who worked with Boyzone in the past was planning to sell a story about my private life. I wanted my fans to hear the facts from me and Eloy before anyone lese got the chance to publish a twisted version of the truth. That would have been devastating. I hope the fans who have supported us from day one will respect my honesty. I want to reassure them that this will not affect Boyzone. We'll be around for years to come.

"Anyone who has seen us performing live knows I always give 100% and I will continue to do that. But the pressure to be something I am not and the fear of a hurtful story being printed has just become too intense."

Eloy nods in agreement and says: "I will always be there for Stephen. We will get through this. With the support of our fans I know life can be brilliant for us."

Until now, the couple have gone to remarkable lengths to keep their relationship secret. Stephen says: "We want to be with each other all the time, but we can never be seen to travel together or arrive at a restaurant or hotel at teh same time. We are under a lot of pressure anyway because of our demanding schedules. But when you add booking twice as many flights or cars, then that pressure becomes unbearable.

"Until now we have never been able to relax and enjoy the simple pleasure of just going for a drink together. If giving this interview allows us to do that then all the agonising will have been worthwhile."

The other members of Boyzone - Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham - and their wives and girlfriends have welcomed Eloy into the group's close-knit entourage. Stephen says: "They have all been brilliant. Eloy gets on really well with everyone. They accepted him straight away and made him part of the family that we are."

Stephen has known he was gay since he was a teenager. He says: "At school I dated girls but by the time I was 15 I knew they weren't for me. I was well respected among my classmates because I came from a rough part of Dublin and stood up to the class bullies. I'm sure some of the other kids could see that I was different but it was never an issue."

Stephen's problems only began when he answered an audition for Boyzone in 1993 and was snapped up by the band's management. He recalls: "I desperately l wanted to be a pop star but I decided right away that to admit to being gay would be to say goodbye to any chance of fame. So at first, I told noone in the band or management. To be honest, I'm sure they suspected but they were good enough never to raise the subject. I was so keen to succeed that suppressing my real feelings was a small price to pay. I'm sure that anyone that age would have done the same thing. I didn't lie - I just wasn't completely honest."

As the Boyzone story went from strength to strength, the pressure on Stephen to talk about girlfriends also grew stronger. Over the years, and particularly the past 12 months, he has become adept at dodging awkward questions.

He reveals: "I have worked extremely hard over the last six years and not once have I really been able to relax and be myself. I say again - I have never, ever denied being gay. I don't know how many times I've used the phrase 'I'll settle down when the right person comes along.' And now Ronan and the boys have started families, it has become harder to explain."

A year after joining the band, Stephen broke the news to his family that he was gay. He told his sister Michelle, 24, first - and her reaction surprised him. He reveals: "She smiled and said 'Steve, I always thought you were.' " It took the brave youngster another year to pluck up the courage to tell the rest of his relatives. He recalls: "I broke the news to my dad Martin over a pint in our local pub in Dublin. It had been preying on my mind to tell him and halfway through a conversation I just blurted out 'Dad. Look I'm gay.' I knew if my dad accepted the way I was, my mum would too.

"At first he just sat there and then he smiled and said, 'Don't worry son, there's nothing to be afraid of. We all love you.' I couldn't have asked for more support."

Stephen's mum Margaret and brothers Tony, 16, Alan, 23, and Mark, 28, were also completely accepting. He says: "It's a great feeling to know that your family loves you unconditionally." before Stephen confided in his family he admits he was incredibly lonely. He says: "I had so many sleepless nights worrying about what would be in the next morning's papers. The lack of girlfriends obviously created a lot of rumour. I remember one morning waking up and feeling so depressed that I thought about running away - giving it all up and trying to forget everything. I had to make a choice. I could either break down and cry or stand up and be positive. That's what I'm doing now. This interview is the most positive thing I have ever done."

He adds: "I have thought long and hard about this moment, but it's the Nineties and hopefully people are open-minded enough to accept me for what I am. I'm gay and I have had gay romances, but now - for the first time in my life - I am in a relationship with someone I love."

Despite being consistently written off by the music press, Boyzone show every sign of continuing their success into the new Millennium - another reason why Stephen has decided to tell his story. He says: "How could I plan a future and still be hiding this secret> I hope my story helps teenage kids to face up to whatever problems they have and encourages parents to be as understanding as mine have been."

Stephen realises this interview will change his life forever. In an emotional appeal to his fans, he says: "Today is the most important day of my life. From now on, everything will be different. I know that and it's pretty scary. But I'm still the same Stephen, still singing the same songs. You have been with us through thick and thin. I've given you smiles and I will continue to do that. I've been strong for you, I've signed your autographs, answered your letters nad given the performances you deserve on stage. Now I need you to be there for me. I know you won't let me down."