Country music star Ty Herndon, who is most well-known for an array of hit albums in the 1990's, has made the brave decision to publically announce he is gay, and the 52 year-old singer couldn't be more happier about it.

Ty herndon
Herndon has publically come out

After many years of keeping his sexuality a secret, Herndon finally announced he was gay while speaking with People Magazine, saying "I'm an out, proud and happy gay man."

The musician first suspected he was attracted to men at a very young age. "I was 10, sitting in church and horrified that I might be a homosexual," he recalls. "Whatever that word meant, I knew that I probably was one. And I know there's a lot of those kids still out there. Telling my story is an opportunity to help just one of them."

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Although he has only come out to the public now, Herndon revealed he first told close family members of his sexual orientation at 20 years-old. "My mother probably knew I was gay before I did. I remember sitting down with her and having the conversation," he continues. "She was more concerned about me having a happy life. You have to be able to do that in your own skin, and [my family] has seen me struggle with being gay my whole career."

Herndon made the decision to tell his story after attending an Anthony Robbins seminar five years ago. "I realized I had an incredible story that could possibly help someone's son or daughter or grandchild's life not be as difficult as mine has been," he says. "Maybe they wouldn't have to go through as much pain and suffering. It's time to tell my truth."

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After his announcement, Herndon wants any young person having difficulty dealing with their sexuality to know: "They can be loved by God, they can be married one day, they can have a family, they can give their parents grandkids. And they're not broken, they're not sinners and they're perfectly beautiful."