**Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin has announced he is gay, ending years of speculation over his sexuality. **
Martin, who had always dodged questions about his sexual orientation, said that he had kept his homosexuality hidden so far because advisers had told him coming out could hurt his career.
The singer, who has sold more than 60 million albums in a career spanning three decades, made the announcement through a post on his website.
Can sexual orientation affect a career? Have you ever pretended to be homosexual or heterosexual? Is it relevant for a celebrity to announce they are gay? How does it affect the perceptions of homosexuality?
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