PREACH IT! Are there more Ricky Martins out there? We could tell you -- but then we’d have to kill you

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Call it the shocker that wasn’t: This week, Latin singing sensation Ricky Martin came out of the world’s most transparent closet, announcing on his official website that he is a “fortunate homosexual man.” There was a loud reaction, and it was a reaction in two parts. The first part came from sanctimonious hausfraus, who clapped and cried and praised the singer for his “bravery.” (Martin sure would have been brave if he’d come out before he made all his money.)

The second part of the reaction was more like a collective Hey Wait a Minute.

Hey! Wait a minute! How come the press never told us this before? We know exactly where and when Lindsay Lohan went to rehab, and almost the precise nanosecond when LeAnn Rimes started cheating on Dean Sheremet with Eddie Cibrian, and who was on the guest list for Amy Adams’ baby shower, but Ricky Martin has been famous and gay for, like, decades? And nary a single press expose?

The press silence on The Gay may seem odd to civilian gossip hounds, especially given how aggressive the tabloids are about every other aspect of Hollywood’s personal lives. But there’s a reason: the law.

Libel law outlines specific allegations that can trigger a defamation lawsuit, and -- antiquated or not, the argument could be made -- homosexuality is on the list. So is drug use, which is why so many celebrity-addiction rumors are reduced to blind items in the gossip rags. So what does all that mean? It means that, yes, a news outlet could run a story saying So-and-So is a closeted gay person. But most news outlets simply don’t want to deal with the legal risk that comes with an allegation of being gay, even if it’s true.

Does that mean that celebrity reporters are keeping a lid on many, many more gay relationships in Hollywood? Yes, yes, it does.

And don’t bother to ask. Our lawyers are watching.

-- Leslie Gornstein

Oodles more Preach It! goodness from the Ministry of Gossip:

PREACH IT! There’s a Team Jesse? And there are people on it besides Jesse?

PREACH IT! Kids’ Choice Award appearance reveals the real Justin BieberPREACH IT! Angelina Jolie, the world’s second-best celebrity mom? Really?

PREACH IT! We have news on Tiger Woods. You know, that other cheater?

PREACH IT! Does ‘Octomom’ hate kittens? We’ll soon find out [poll]

PREACH IT! This just in: We are old (thanks tons, kids)

PREACH IT! The Jackson family compound: Move along, nothing to see here

Want the headlines? Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter (we’re @LATcelebs) or become our fan on Facebook at facebook.com/ministryofgossip.