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After their story was
told in "The Sun" a wave of sympathy swept over Eloy de
Jong and Stephen Gately; Elton John sent flowers, George Michael
called them and many stars like Bastiaan Ragas, the Spice Girls
and the Backstreet Boys congratulated them for being so honest!
For the first time after their spectacular coming out Eloy and
Stephen talk together about homosexuality, girls, their parents -
and their deep feelings for each other...
BRAVO: On Wednesday, 16th June you came out really
unexpectedly. Why at this time?
STEVE: A friend from the news service warned us that somebody
wanted to sell our story to a newspaper. So we decided to do it
first.
ELOY: We didn't want the story to be told by someone else. We
talked about it for a long time because it has been the most
important decision of our lives! On the evening before, we sat in
Italy - where I was on tour with Boyzone - in front of the TV and
watched the news. We were very nervous but we knew we had to take
the risk. And we wanted to stop lying because Steve and me, we
love each other and we are sure that we're gonna stay together!
BRAVO: Why did you keep your homosexuality as a secret for
years and cheat your fans?
STEVE: Well, I confess it was very hard for us. But if you are
young and you want to get famous with a band you don't just say:
"Hi, by the way, I'm gay!" We were afraid of telling
our private secret to the public.
ELOY: Now that we know that for our fans the most important thing
is our music and our personality it's a great ease for us.
BRAVO: How long have you been a couple now?
ELOY: For eight months. I presented the popshow "Popcorn
live" last October in Cologne, where Stephen sang together
with Boyzone. We had met four years before at a party in London
and had become good friends and called each other from time to
time. But on this evening we realised our deep feelings for each
other...
STEVE: We know now that it is the big, great love and we don't
want to be without the other one for a day! Eloy and me have many
things in common: We are both born in the sign of the zodiac
pisces, we are fans of Walt Disney, love music from Mariah Carey
- and we go through thick and thin together!
BRAVO: Eloy, your father who died three years ago was very
conservative. How did you tell him and the rest of your family
that you are gay?
ELOY: I was 17 when I went to my sister Lucienne to tell her the
truth. On the same evening I went to my mum and said: "I
have to talk to you. What do you think, do you think I love girls
or boys?" and she said: "I think you love boys."
She was great and really understood and helped me. But it took a
year until she told it to my father. He was beside himself with
rage and didn't want to have anything do to with me anymore from
that moment on. One year he didn't talk a word to me. He despised
me and made me feel that everything I touched was dirty then.
These have been the most awful years in my life!
BRAVO: Your father was very ill for months before he died.
Facing the death did he finally forgive you?
ELOY: I have no idea. The relationship between my father and me
has never been very good - unfortunately. When I got famous with
"Caught in the act" he said he would accept my
feelings, but he never really did. He said to me again and again:
"The most beautiful girls are crazy for you. I don't
understand why you don't have sex with them." Today I really
wished he could see how happy I am with Stephen!
BRAVO: Did you ever have sex with a girl?
ELOY: Yes, one time. But I still knew I was gay.
STEVE: So did I. I was dating girls at first but my feelings for
boys were stronger.
BRAVO: Is it possible that you could love a girl again one
day?
STEVE: No. There's no doubt about it because we have found our
big love and want to spend our whole lives together. Forever!
ELOY: Right. Nothing can come between us!
BRAVO: Have your families already met?
ELOY: Yes, some months ago. Steve spent Christmas with us in
Holland. For my mother he is like a second son. When she saw him
for the first time she knew he is the man who makes me happy!
STEVE: Eloy's family came to visit me in my new house near Dublin
at Easter.
BRAVO: Where are you going to live - in Ireland or in Holland?
STEVE: We don't know yet. But what we know for sure is that we're
going to have one household - like every other couple does. Eloy
likes to cook, I prefer cleaning (Steve laughs)
BRAVO: Ireland is a catholic country where religion is very
important. Are you afraid of being mobbed in public?
STEVE: No, because the reactions of the people have all been very
positive. I am a catholic myself and I'm sure we're going to be
respected as long as we respect other people.
BRAVO: Are you also going to work together?
ELOY: Of course we're going to help each other with our solo
projects but we won't sing in a duet. I was on tour with Boyzone
the whole time, stood in front of the stage every evening and was
very proud of Steve! He dedicated the song "Where did you
go" to me. At the moment I am looking for a record contract
and a TV show which I can present. I really miss my fans a lot,
but it is a great feeling to know that they're going to stand by
me!!!
A letter from Eloy to his fans:
"Dear fans,
I realise that it has been a while since I wrote you a few words.
A lot has happened since so I didn't have much time. I'm sure you
all heard about my relationship with Stephen Gately from Boyzone.
We are very happy and enjoying the time we can spend together and
with our families. Thanks for all the good wishes and the support
for myself and Stephen. Reading your nice letters really touched
us. I have some appealing offers but I am still negotiating. As
soon as anything works out you are the first to know.
We bought a little dog as well. It's a male of the Shih Tzu
species. His name is JOEY. He's very small and very cute. We have
a lot of fun with him and he really loves playing in the garden.
We bought an aluminum motorboat so we can out on the water to
relax.
When I have more news, for example if a deal works out alright I
will tell you in a new letter or you can listen to it on my
hotline 0190-782025
I wish you all the best, I hope to see you soon,
Lots of LOVE
Eloy & Stephen"
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