The Sun- Thursday 17th June 1999

TIDE OF LOVE FOR STEPHEN

By RAV SINGH

BOYZONE star Stephen Gately was thrilled last night after fans backed his brave decision to admit he is gay.

A spokesman said: "It means everything to him."

Messages of support poured in for Stephen, 23, who revealed his love for a singer in a Dutch boy band in yesterday's Sun. Not one email or fax said he was wrong.

Fellow stars hailed his courage too.

WE ALL LOVE YOU STEPHEN

He's thrilled by huge wave of support

By RAV SINGH, showbiz reporter

(continued from front page)

FANS and celebrities last night joined in a chorus of support for Boyzone star Stephen Gately after he confessed: " I'm gay."

E-mails and faxes flooded into our offices backing the 23-year-old's brave decision to " come out " in a moving declaration in yesterday's Sun.

It was the biggest response The Sun has ever had to a showbiz interview - and not one of the messages criticised him. The star's spokesperson Caroline McAteer said: " Stephen is thrilled with the reaction to today's interview. It means everything to him.

"It's important the fans know Stephen was not forced to come out - he decided on his own that it was the right thing to do. Now he hopes he can concentrate on his career without any speculation."

Each message will be forwarded to Dubliner Stephen and boyfriend, Dutch singer Eloy de Jong, 26. Fans feelings were summed up by Sharon, Tina and Nikki whose email echoed the words of a Boyzone hit. They vowed: We will continue to love you "no matter what."

Stephen can rely on the support of showbiz stars too.

Posh Spice Victoria Adams said: " You are what you are. He is very talented and this should not come in the way. Everyone should support him." All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis said:"He's very courageous and I wish him all the best. I'm very proud of him."

Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys said: " Good on him!"

Radio One DJ Zoe Ball said: "It's a really tough thing for him to do and I just want to say well done.

"I think all the little girls will cope - they probably secretly knew they weren't going to

marry him."

Ritchie Neville from fellow boy band Five said: " Good on you Steve! Your fans will be cool - it's the music that's important."

U.S. band Backstreet Boys rang just before kicking off the UK leg of their tour to say: " He is still the star we all know and love."

Stephen told The Sun how he met Eloy four years ago at a showbiz bash in London.

They only began their relationship last November. Until then Eloy was part of a boy band called Caught In The Act who topped the charts in Europe and the Far East. They have since split to follow solo careers.

Stephen said his momentous decision came as he learned someone was planning to sell a twisted version of his story.

His move was immediately backed by band members Ronan Keating, 22, Shane Lynch, also 22, Keith Duffy, 24, and Mikey Graham, 26. And yesterday their mums added their voices too.

Mikey's mother Sheila Graham said: " He wasn't the first and he won't be the last."

Shane's mum Noleen added: " At the end of the day, it's God's will the way they all are, you know."

Stephen is one of many pop stars to admit being gay or bisexual. Others include Sir Elton John. George Michael, late Queen singer Freddie Mercury and lesbian U.S. country singer kd lang.

One of the most flamboyant, Boy George, spoke out for Stephen on Capital Radio's

breakfast show. George, 37 said: " It's best to tell people. If you live a lie, you always worry

about somebody doing something horrible."

He said many fans were gay too and went on: "You go to any concert, Take That, any of them - it's always loads of queens, loads of kids and loads of mum's."

He predicted Boyzone's fans would NOT turn against Stephen and joked: "Most of them are too young to know what sex is anyway."

++ FANS FAXES ++ FANS FAXES ++ FANS FAXES ++

BOYZONE fans from all over Britain and the world and of all ages sent messages of support for Stephen to The Sun. Here is a small selection:

All the best Steve. It's not the easiest thing to announce to the world. As long as you are happy, that's all that matters.

Good for you for being so brave.

RACHEL, AUSTRALIA

Beloved Steve,

We're so pleased for you that you have the courage to tell all about your sexuality. No matter what happens, we'll always support you. You'll always have a special place in our hearts.

WEI YIN, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

It came as no surprise to hear your news, but you have all the support of your fans. - AMANDA BILLINGTON

Enjoy life, you deserve it. I hope you and Eloy are happy. - ZOE

We still think you are the best. - MARIA, LOUISE, LAURA and JAYNE

We're glad you're able to be yourself. Fair play to you. - NANOR and ASIL, MANCHESTER

I'm gay and I really respect what you have done. Things can only get better for you. - JOHN SHAW, MAIDENHEAD, BERKS

Well done Stephen. We still love you and respect you. You are very brave. - TRACEY and JILL

Never be ashamed of who you are. - JO

Your music has helped me through some bad times and I hope, in some way, this message will help you through yours. - RIA BARRINGTON

You have been there for me more than you will ever know and I think the fans should stick by you now you need us. - CHRISSEY

'Your real fans will always be there for you and even non-fans will support you'. - DAVID

I hope Stephen is very happy and I wish him all the best n the future. I hope all the other fans out there feel the same and won't let prejudice get in the way of still supporting the Boyz." - CLARE HEMSWORTH, 18, SCOTLAND

What you have done requires great courage and strength of character. - ROCHELLE GILDER

You are still the same person inside, I will support you forever. - KERRY HEWITT, BENFLEET

Your honesty is refreshing. I wish you and Eloy all the best. - PATRICIA CUMMINS, HANWELL, LONDON

I am so happy that you have found love at last. - KIRSTIE LEE, EAST SUSSEX

Beinng gay doesn't change him- he is still a brilliant performer. Rest assured we will all support him in everything he does. - JOHN, LONDON

Well done, at least you can be yourself and feel good about it. - GAVIN, NIGEL, JAYNE and DARREN, CARDIFF

I have only just read your article and already it has helped me be more open and confident to my friends and family about being gay. Stay strong. - GARETH BROWN, NEWCASTLE

I hope you and Eloy have a long and loving relationship. You're not alone. - CHARLOTTE, NORTHAMPTON

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, you're still the same, Steve, we love and support you no matter what. - LAURA LATHWOOD

Be proud of what you have achieved and the person you have always been, warm, loving and compassionate. - AMANDA, CARDIFF

'I am eight and din't know what gay was, but I still love Stephen to bits.' - RACHEL, 8

It must have been the most difficult thing you have ever done. Well done. - PAUL, WARSAW, POLAND

Everyone needs love in their life. - SARA, NEW YORK

I have always been a fan and my love and support for you and the band will be as strong as ever. - LEE-ANNE URE, EDINBURGH

You lucky swine, your boyfriend is gorgeous. - FRANKIE, A 35-YEAR-OLD MUM OF TWO

Hold your head up and be happy. - PAULINE (43-YEAR-OLD HOUSEWIFE), CRAMLINGTON, NORTHUMBERLAND

Congratulations on finding true love. You have made the biggest decision ever and this has made our love for you and the band stronger. - JACKIE and ANDY

Stephen- Straight, Lesbian, Black or White. You're a decent human being who's given great joy and happiness to others through your music. just keep doing what you're doing, and being who you are.

KERRY, LONDON

Hi Stephen, This is just to say that I think you are very brave, and I respect your honesty. I have supported you and the rest of the band for 6 years and I always will. I hope to see you at Newcastle Arena soon. Love you lots.

SARAH MAXWELL, NEWCASTLE

We also got messages from a teacher and a priest:

We had a debate in the school about Stephen Gately coming out. Some 72 per cent of our pupils really backed him in his decision. The overiding feeling was that he was brave to come out. - JOHN GOODSON, 42, MASTER AT HELLESDON HIGH SCHOOL, NORWICH

Thank you dearly for being honest about being gay. I feel sure your honesy will help a lot of young people. God bless you Stephen. - THE REV PETER GREEN, LINCOLN