SAVAGE GARDEN - HAYES COMES OUT AFTER GAY WEDDING

HAYES COMES OUT AFTER GAY WEDDING

Former SAVAGE GARDEN frontman DARREN HAYES 'married' his British boyfriend RICHARD CULLEN in London last month (JUN06) after a two year relationship. The TRULY MADLY DEEPLY singer, 34, stunned fans when he made the announcement on his official website yesterday (17JUL06) - because he has never 'come out' as being gay before. Australian-born Hayes divorced his former wife and high school sweetheart COLBY TAYLOR in 1999 after a four year marriage. Hayes says, "On June 19th, 2006, I married my boyfriend of two years, Richard, in a civil partnership ceremony in London. I can honestly say it was the happiest day of my life. "I feel lucky to live in an era where my relationship can be considered legally legitimate and I commend the UK Government for embracing this very basic Civil Liberty. "I'm proud of who I am, and after what felt like an eternity, I'm finally in a place where my heart is secure and content. And I can finally make sense of all of the searching. "To my mum, dad, sister and brother - thanks for always being so cool and loving me unconditionally." Last week (ends14JUL06), Hayes announced he had left his Australian record label Sony BMG.