PHOTOS & VIDEO: Ricky Martin Says, ‘I Just Want To Be Free,’ Accepting GLAAD Award
Mar. 21 2011, Published 8:00 a.m. ET
Livin’ La Vida Loca singer Ricky Martin was honored with the Vito Russo Award by GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) this weekend at the organization's 22nd annual Media Awards at New York’s Marriott Marquis, telling the crowd he just wants "to be free."
The Vito Russo Award annually honors an openly gay media professional who’s made strides in promoting equal rights. The popular singer came out of the closet last year, writing on his website, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man.
At the ceremony Saturday night, Martin, 39, delivered an emotional speech in which he said, "I just want to be free."
Watch the video on RadarOnline.com
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"I can say today I'm free. And for that I definitely need to thank my parents for being so supportive, my mother and my dad for their unconditional love, and my friends, my family, my fans.
“And my partner-in-crime, and my boyfriend, Carlos Gonzalez Abella,” Martin said.
For a full list of winners and photos from the event check out http://www.glaad.org.
The GLAAD Media Awards continue in Los Angeles on April 10, and in San Francisco on May 14.
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