Ricky Martin admits that he bullied people he knew were gay before he actually came out himself. He also blames being raised as a Catholic for his confusion and his own "internalized homophobia" that led him to be a bully. 

In an interview with GQ Australia, Ricky Martin relates: "I was very angry, very rebellious. I used to look at gay men and think, I'm not like that, I don't want to be like that, that's not me. I was ashamed."

The "La Vida Loca" singer was strictly raised as a Catholic in his hometown in Puerto Rico. The Catholic Church vehemently condemns homosexuality and views it as an aberration. This fueled Ricky Martin's aversion towards gays but at the same time, led to his confusion: "When you're told you're wrong by everyone, from society, from your faith - my self-esteem was crushed. I took my anger out on those around me."

Martin started as a member of the Puerto Rican boy band "Menudo" and eventually became a superstar as a solo artist in the late 90s to the early 2000s.

Despite being recognized as an international sex symbol, Martin was always hounded by speculation regarding his real sexual preferences.  He finally came out with a lengthy admission on his website in 2010.

Since then, Martin has fathered two children through "gestational surrogacy" and is raising them with his life partner, Carlos Gonzalez Abells. He vows to raise them with respect towards homosexuals, and not in a "house of lies."