Christian Chavez, a singer for the Mexican pop group RBD, has announced that he is gay after photographs showing him "marrying" another man showed up on the Internet.

"I don't want to keep on lying and lie to myself because of fear," Chavez said in a statement posted on the group's official Web site Thursday. "I feel bad for not having shared this with all my fans before, as they are the ones that worry and it is because of them that I decided to be honest."

A series of photos that appeared on the Web site www.latingossip.com, also Thursday, showed the 23-year-old star, known for his ever-changing hair colors, with another man with short black hair. The photos, taken in Canada in 2005 according to a message on the site, show the two signing documents, exchanging rings and giving each other a kiss.

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The photos "show a part of me, a part that I was not prepared to speak of in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences," said Chavez, whose statement appeared in both Spanish and English.

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RBD, which spun off of Mexico's wildly popular two-year-long soap opera, Rebelde, achieved massive success throughout Latin America and among Spanish speakers in the United States.

Many have speculated that Christian Chavez of R-B-D is G-A-Y, but nobody knows for sure…

Except that we, the great looking locos at Latin Gossip, have come across pictures of the supposed marriage between Christian and BJ Murphy in New Brunswick, Canada back in 2005.

Has he been hiding this secret this entire time? Is this the proof everyone has been looking for? How do the other members of RBD feel about this?

If this is the case, we totally support Christian and his decisions (minus the orange hair) and would hate for this couple to love in hiding.

More pictures, including a kiss, after the jump.

On March first 2007 certain photographs were released that show a part of me, a part that I was not prepared to speak of in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences.

I think it’s time to grow up, not only as a human being, but also as an artist.

I believe love is the purest feeling that exists and in this career filled with loneliness, having the opportunity to share those moments with someone, that when you look into their eyes, you forget all the negative things, it’s a gift of life, that I cherish more than fame.

I don’t want to keep on lying and lie to myself because of fear, I love what I do and singing is my life, my passion. I would never dream of doing anything else. I feel bad for not having shared this withall my fans before, as they are the ones that worry and it is because of them that I decided to be honest.

Hopefully they will be able to see beyond this note, and realize that I am a human being just like any other, with defects and virtues. I don’t think this is a defect, I won’t deny it.

I ask the press to respect my family and myself, through this letter. There will be no future statements.

Although I’m scared and filled with uncertainty I know that I can rely on the support of my fans, their love is bigger than all of this. I ask them from the bottom of my heart, not to judge me for being honest and to feel proud of who they are and never make the same mistake I did.

¡Tolerance to diversity!

Christian Chávez

The photos "show a part of me, a part that I was not prepared to speak of in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences," said Chavez

The photos "show a part of me, a part that I was not prepared to speak of in fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and its consequences," said Chavez.

As characterized, it sounds more like a picture is circulating showing a nasty case of anal warts, rather than his new husband.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) applauded Latino artist and member of Rebelde (RBD) Christian Chávez for coming out publicly as gay. Chávez came out in a statement posted on the group’s Web site, and urged his fans not to judge him for being honest and to appreciate diversity.

GLAAD encourages Chávez to be a role model for millions of LGBT youth who are struggling with their sexual orientation and gender identity. “We applaud Christian's courage to come out and live an open and honest life,” said Mónica Taher, GLAAD People of Color Media Strategy Director. “We know that this is not easy given the intolerant and homophobic climate that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people live in.”

Three weeks after a Sydney morning radio host outed him, former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea told the Herald Sun that it's true.

Said Callea: "Yes, I am gay. I have no issue with my sexuality now, but it's taken time to become confident with who I am and happy with who I am. I'm looking forward to living a life with no barriers and not having to worry about saying the right thing. I'm comfortable enough to come clean now. It's a weight off my shoulders. If people have an issue with it, it's their issue. It shouldn't really be relevant to me being a singer and a performer."

While a contestant on Idol Callea said, "I'm not gay. I don't know why people say I am. A lot of people just make up rubbish."

Callea said there were reasons he hadn't come out earlier: "You learn from your mistakes. I was 21, 22 at the time. I didn't want to be known as just the gay contestant from Idol. It was a very confusing time. I went through a stage of major depression. I hated myself. I had to see a psychologist. I wasn't talking to anyone. My parents didn't know what was wrong with me. But getting through that makes you a stronger person, it allows me to do what I'm doing now and not be affected by what's said."

He also said he's been surprised by the attention it has drawn: "It’s really weird because a few days ago when I went to the airport and was going through the security, there were three security guards there. One of the them stopped me and said, 'good on you', and then I got through the actual security thing and the next one tapped me on the shoulder and said 'that’s really good, good on you,' and then the next one tapped me on the shoulder. I was going, 'what’s going on?', I’m still exactly the same person."

...The Spider-Man star's mother, Wendy, is reported to have made the candid confessions about the pair's friendship to journalist Marlise Elizabeth Kast -- also revealing the boys used to wear ribbons in their hair. The Hollywood actors have been close friends since they met as teenagers on the set of "This Boy's Life".

Wendy reportedly said, "Those two are just free spirited guys. Most of the friends they hang around with are gay. They're comfortable with that. But I think Leo and Tobey are the crossover between men and women. They have feminine traits they are willing to accept. "They aren't ashamed to have any sort of title, even if that means someone calling them gay."

Kast tells British newspaper The Daily Star, "Wendy continued to recount her liberal views, divulging how the two friends 'shared a bed and wore ribbons in their hair'". But the actors have both denied the allegations, with the Titanic star's representative Ken Sunshine saying, "It is untrue." Maguire's spokesman Kelly Bush adds, "This is so ridiculous I don't feel the need to respond."

And in other totally shocking "Frasier" cast news: Fellow alum Jane Leeves is actually English. You heard it here first, folks.

(Mexico City) Christian Chavez, a member of the wildly popular Mexican band RBD, says he's lived the life he always wanted since coming out of the closet three months ago.

Chavez told the Televisa network Wednesday the public revelation allowed him to "begin a healing process in which I left things behind and began many wonderful things."

The 23-year-old singer made the announcement in March after photos of him kissing and exchanging rings with another man showed up on the Internet.

Chavez said fan support helped him overcome nervousness about an appearance in McAllen, Texas, shortly after his announcement.

"I was afraid to go on stage, but people were really, really nice," he said. "I felt free and could sing like I've never sung before."

He said the support was a reflection of a more open Mexican society, but added that he still wants to fight for gays to be respected - not just tolerated.