While there's always a thought in the back of people's minds whenever a boy band comes out which one may be gay, and it usually takes the band breaking up or a dwindling of popularity for one (or more) gay boys in the group to come out, one of the members of a boy band I have never heard of called Union J has come out of the closet.
22-year-old singer Jaymi Hensley (far right) from the UK X Factor boy band Union J came out to his family and friends back when he was 14. And while it's the norm for some behind-the-scenes folks (in America at least) to encourage their clients to stay closeted so that they can get that quick money and remain a fantasy for horny teenaged girls, Jaymi decided to make his sexuality public after his X Factor mentor Louis Walsh encouraged him not to hide who he is. Jaymi also says a tweet from one of his fans also inspired him to come out as well:
“I got a tweet from a boy who must have been 13 or 14 asking if the rumours that I was gay were true. He said he really wished I could be out because he didn’t have anyone to look up to and was finding it really hard to fit in and tell his parents. I was that kid at 14 and really wish I had someone to say it was OK to be pictured on the red carpet with a guy and be gay in a boyband.” – Jaymi Hemsley
Unfortunately, Jaymi is not single. he has been in a relationship with a 21-year-old hairdresser for three years and they are talking getting married and starting a family in the future. I personally don't think people in their 20's should be thinking about settling down, but whatever floats your boat.
Personally I think Union J are much more interesting than 1 Direction and I hope with Jaymi actually being an out singer that they can get the same promotional push that 1D and The Wanted have been getting.
I understand people need to come out in their own time, but I'm always in support of people like Jaymi who are willing to live in their truth, especially since there aren't a lot of role models for young people to look up to in regards to homosexuality. So many kids are struggling with their sexuality and if Jaymi can encourage them to be themselves and not think about committing suicide, better off the world will be. I also thought based on the group's X Factor performances Jaymi is the best vocalist and the most hungry to be a pop star and I also think maybe they should consider making him a solo star in the vein of Robbie Williams/Olly Murs.
Check out some of their X Factor performances below...
Union J Sing Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Live Week 1
Union J Sing Coldplay’s “Fix You” – Live Week 6
Union J Sing Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” – Live Week 4
Union J Sing For Survival Adele’s “Set The World On Fire” – Live Week 6
Union J Sing for Survival Pink’s “Less Than Perfect” – Live Week 4
Union J Sing Kelly Rowland’s “When Love Takes Over” – Week 3
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