Ricky Martin was one of many protesters calling for Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosselló to resign after it was exposed that the politico and his aides sent homophobic, misogynistic and sexist messages in a group chat. When Rosselló announced he was stepping down, Martin celebrated the news.
In a post that started with “We did it,” the openly gay singer — who was targeted in the chat messages — praised protesters for not resorting to extreme violence amid the uprising. He said they “did it in peace” with “no guns, like Gandhi.”
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Puerto Rico we did it. And we did it in peace. With no guns, like Gandhi. We demanded respect and we were heard. Respect for our children, respect for our women, respect for the LGBT community, respect for our dead. This will never happen again. We won’t let anyone walk all over us again. We will be attentive, vigilant. There’s so much to do now. It is now we need to work more than ever. We succeeded today because we were united. For many decades Puerto Rico was divided. NOT ANY MORE. I am hopeful of our new generation that is instinctively moving things forward. And now, we turn the page. I see a very bright future.I now feel very calm as I celebrate. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. From anger to joy (I’ve cried like crazy). This has been a birth.We now can achieve anything we want. We are an example. No more corruption, no more trash. WE’VE RESCUED OUR ISLAND.And now, go out to the streets. GO AND CELEBRATE but please DO NOT DROP THE BALL. EYES WIDE OPEN FROM NOW ON.I want to thank the members of the press for keeping us informed. Thank you. Because of your outstanding job, the whole world listened. I am sure some “Leaders of the world” won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’m sure some are nervous.We’ve written a powerful page in history tonight. PUERTO RICO, ESTAMOS BIEN.Te amo. ?????
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Martin, who came out in 2010, said that they “demanded respect and we were heard. Respect for our children, respect for our women, respect for the LGBT community, respect for our dead. This will never happen again. We won’t let anyone walk all over us again. We will be attentive, vigilant.”
He called for Puerto Rico to work together moving forward, saying the protests only worked because they were “united” in the cause. He asked his fellow people to keep their “eyes wide open from now on.”
“I now feel very calm as I celebrate,” Martin wrote. “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. From anger to joy (I’ve cried like crazy). This has been a birth.
We now can achieve anything we want. We are an example. No more corruption, no more trash. WE’VE RESCUED OUR ISLAND.”Lin-Manuel Miranda also celebrated the news.
Rosselló, a Democrat who has held the office since 2017, was the administrator of the group chat on the Telegram messaging app with about a dozen advisors, aides and lobbyists. In addition to discussing business, they made obscenity-laced comments about political rivals and the people of Puerto Rico, including victims of Hurricane Maria, the 2017 storm that devastated the island and led to thousands of deaths. There were also nasty comments about women.
Among the nearly 900 pages of messages, published by the Center for Investigative Journalism in Puerto Rico, included homophobic comments about Martin by Puerto Rico’s former chief financial officer Christian Sobrino Vega.
“Nothing says patriarchal oppression like Ricky Martin,” he reportedly wrote. “Ricky Martin is such a male chauvinist that he f***s men because women don’t measure up. Pure patriarchy.”
Rosselló announced Wednesday that he is resigning effective Aug. 2. Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez will become the new governor.
13 PHOTOSRicky Martin and Jwan Yosef togetherSee GalleryRicky Martin and Jwan Yosef together
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 08:Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef attend the Los Angeles Premiere ‘The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’ at ArcLight Hollywood on January 8, 2018 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
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HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 08:Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef attend the Los Angeles Premiere ‘The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’ at ArcLight Hollywood on January 8, 2018 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 07:Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosefattend HBO’s Official Golden Globe Awards After Party at Circa 55 Restaurant on January 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 02:Jwan Yosef and Ricky Martin attend GQ Style & Hugo Boss celebrate Amazing Spaces with Edgar Ramirez at John Lautner’s Harvey House on November 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for GQ Style )
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 07:Actor/singer Ricky Martin (R) and Jwan Yosef attend The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
MIAMI BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 10:Jwan Yosef and Ricky Martin attend a benefit for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico hosted by Ricky Martin and Ocean Drive Magazine at the magazine’s October issue debut at Wall at W Hotel on October 10, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida.(Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef attends the MOCA Gala 2017 on April 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef attend the MOCA Gala 2017 on April 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 26:Jwan Yosef and Ricky Martin arrive for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
Syrian-Swedish artist Jwan Yosef and Porto Rico’s Ricky Martin pose upon their arrival for the 25th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 26, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. / AFP / TIBRINA HOBSON(Photo credit should read TIBRINA HOBSON/AFP/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 10:Recording artist Ricky Martin (2nd L), artist Jwan Yosef (R), and sons Matteo Martin and Valentino Martin attend the premiere of ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ at the Pantages Theatre on December 10, 2016 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 10:Recording artist Ricky Martin (2nd L), artist Jwan Yosef (R), and sons Matteo Martin and Valentino Martin attend the premiere of ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ at the Pantages Theatre on December 10, 2016 in Hollywood, California.(Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 25:Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef attend the Balmain Menswear Spring/Summer 2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2016 in Paris, France.(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 25:Jwan Yosef, Ricky Martin, Victor Cruz attend the Balmain Menswear Spring/Summer 2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2016 in Paris, France.(Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage)