Why You Gotta Be Like That to Ricky Martin, Honduran... Minister of the Interior!?

By Vanessa Beatriz Soto

You guys, Ricky Martin is gay. I know. Heavy stuff. He enjoys romantic relationships with other men. (But you know, so do a lot of people.) He's a pop star, he's an actor of stage and screen. He is the face of his native Puerto Rico's International Tourism campaign. He's the co-face (is that a word? wow...) of MAC's HIV charity line, Viva Glam.

He's the co-owner of a restaurant in Miami. He's a gracious host to people who just drop in... He's the proud papi of twin sons, born via a surrogate. He has also received many awards, including a Lo Nuestro Award for Lifetime Achievement, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Hispanic Heritage Award, the International Humanitarian Award, Billboard's Spirit of Hope Award, and numerous Latin Grammys. In 2005, the U.S. Department of State named him a "Hero In Ending Modern Day Slavery." He is, in summary, all that and a bag of gourmet artisanal organic kettle chips.

According to the rumors that have been appearing in newspapers and online publications, however, he's not quite good enough for some people in Honduras. Ricky, you see, was planning a performance on October 16th in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, at that city's totally awesomely named Chochi Sosa arena.

Then, all of a sudden a couple of days ago, Africo Madrid, Honduran Minister of the Interior, started giving quotes to the press to the effect that Ricky's presence in Honduras would be unwelcome to some of that country's religious leaders. Fox News Latino had the following to report, by way of The Advocate:

"The minister of interior of Honduras, Africo Madrid, is telling the media that evangelical and Catholic leaders want Martin's visa denied in order to "protect the moral and ethical principles of our society."

Madrid says the Christian officials don't approve of Martin's homosexuality or the fact that he's a proud father to two children. "His nuclear family is not the type of family that Honduran society and laws approve of", he said.

Ouch! Burn! What kind of way is that to treat an international humanitarian pop star, religious leaders? Way to judge! So much for Christian love!

But wait!

You see, the aforementioned leaders have yet to come forward. That's right. Not a peep:

"Despite the Minister's comments, El Heraldo reports, sources from the Honduran secretary of state's office say that they have not received any written petitions to deny Ricky Martin entry into the country."

Also, according to The Advocate ,

"sources in the Honduran secretary of state's office claim there have been no written petitions to deny Martin entry into Honduras."

So is it possible that this is all part of Africo Madrid's scheme to whip up controversy but pin the blame on religious officials? Is he trying to get Honduras on the map with a bit of sneaky P.R.? Is he a secret Ricky Martin fan, angling for a personal meeting with the star? Or do you think Honduran religious leaders are as homophobic and as tragically closed-minded as the rumor would lead us to believe?

What's your take? Tell us in the comments!

Tags Billboard, blogger: Vanessa Beatriz Soto, discrimination, Gay Rights, Honduras, Latin Grammys, pop stars, popnews, Religion, Ricky Martin