Billy Gilman was inspired by fellow country singer Ty Herndon coming out as gay yesterday (Nov. 20), because he decided to do the same via a YouTube video, hours later.

In the video (posted above), Billy recalls the moment he realized it was time for him to come out to the public: Once he was photographed with his significant other of five months. He said, “It was in that moment that I knew that I’d rather it be from me than you reading it somewhere else and probably filled with not truth."

Once he settled on the difficult decision to come out, it took him a little longer to figure out just how to go about it.

“It’s taken me a good many weeks to figure out how to approach this video that you’re watching right now, but today, actually, a fellow country artist and friend made it easier for me to make this video," he said in the video. "And I wanted my fans who have stuck by me for many, many years to know.”

He believes the rumors of his sexuality have hurt his career, and cites the country genre as being particularly harsh on gay superstars.

"Being a gay male country artist is not the best thing," he explained. "It's difficult for me to make this video, not because I'm ashamed of being a gay male artist, or a gay artist, or a gay person. But it's pretty silly to know that I'm ashamed of doing this ... because I'm in a genre, in an industry that is ashamed of me for being me."

We can’t even begin to imagine the amount of courage it took to announce his sexuality to the world -- particularly one that can be not-so-understanding when it comes to homosexuality.

He ends the video with the same amount of honesty that's apparent throughout: “I can honestly say I’m scared to death, but I thank each and every one of you for your support." To both Billy and Ty: You have our total support!

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