Two days ago rumors began to spread that there were songs on Frank Ocean’s forthcoming debut Channel Orange that would reveal something new about his sexuality. Last night, the 24-year-old singer took to his Tumblr to respond to the allegations with a screenshot of a letter that will end up as the album’s “thank you’s”. In the letter, Frank confesses that the first time he fell in love was with a man.

Does this matter? No. Does it change anything? Not really. Is it significant? Surely. Frank is a young, Black entertainer. He’s also a member of a rap collective (OFWGKTA which also houses a second openly gay member, a female Syd the Kid). Though his music transcends these genres, the hip-hop and R&B communities, to which he’s linked, have persistently been intolerant of homosexuality. Let it be stressed that Frank has neither declared himself to be gay nor bisexual, still it is incredibly strong and brave of Frank to reveal this. He is essentially the first figure, within those communities and Black music generally, to come out publicly with an experience like this.

And he does so essentially on the eve of music career’s starting point. Other musicians have come out publicly, but most, like George Michael, Ricky Martin or Lance Bass, have done so past their prime or after their career altogether. Will Frank’s audience make him regret this decision, or will the absence of disapproval reflect a sign of the times?

For those that may have a hard time with this, can there exist a sense of betrayal? Perhaps. Fans have such connections with songs that we often feel personal connections to musicians. There are a number of songs, including both “Novacane” and his most recent “Pyramids” in which he specifically mentions women. Some confusion is understandable, especially considering that, for over a year, none of this was ever a discussion. But if “Thinkin’ Bout You” wasn’t in fact written about a woman, does that change how beautiful of a song it is?

If there is any negative backlash, it will be overshadowed by the empowerment of the action. Frank is one of the most talented songwriters and musicians we’ve come across in who knows how long. His music has made an amazing impact across the world in a short period of time. This honesty will only allow Frank to reach unbelievable heights, both creatively and personally. And hopefully this will be good for the fans, the kids that look up to him and those that can’t seem to come to terms with this all, as well.

“I don’t know what happens now, and that’s alrite. I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore.” – Frank Ocean

Read Frank’s letter in its entirety:

Whoever you are. Wherever you are… I’m starting to think we’re a lot alike. Human beings spinning on blackness. All wanting to be seen, touched, heard, paid attention to. My loved ones are everything to me here. In the last year or 3 I’ve screamed at my creator, screamed at clouds in the sky, for some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow. 4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. I’d hear his conversation and his silence…until it was time to sleep. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with. I reminisced about the sentimental songs I enjoyed when I was a teenager. The ones I played when I experienced a girlfriend too quickly. Imagine being thrown from a plane. I wasn’t in a plane though. I was in a Nissan Maxima, the same car I packed up with bags and drove to Los Angeles in. I sat there and told my friend how I felt. I wept as the words left my mouth. I grieved for then. Knowing I could never take them back for myself. He patted my back. He said kind things. He did his best, but he wouldn’t admit the same. He had to go back inside soon. It was late and his girlfriend was waiting for him upstairs. He wouldn’t tell the truth about his feelings for me for another 3 years. I felt like I’d only imagined reciprocity for years. Now imagine being thrown from a cliff. No, I wasn’t on a cliff. I was still in my car telling myself it was gonna be find and to take deep breaths. I took the breaths and carried on. I kept up a peculiar friendship with him because I couldn’t imagine keeping up my life without him. I struggled to master myself and my emotions. I wasn’t always successful.

The dance went on. I kept the rhythm for several summers after. It’s winter now. I’m typing this on a plane back to Los Angeles from New Orleans. I flew home for another marred Christmas. I have a windowseat. It’s December 27, 2011. By now I’ve written two albums. This being the second. I wrote to keep myself busy and sane. I wanted to create worlds that were rosier than mine. I tried to channel overwhelming emotions. I’m surprise at how far all of it has taken me. Before writing this I’d told some people my story. I’m sure these people kept me alive, kept me safe. Sincerely, these are the folks I wanna thank from the floor of my heart. Everyone of you knows who you are. Great humans, probably angels. I don’t know what happens now. And that’s alrite. I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore. There’s probably some small shit still, but you know what I mean. I was never alone, as much as it felt like it. As much as I still do sometimes. I never was. I don’t think I ever could be. Thanks. To my first love, I’m grateful for you. Grateful that even thought it wasn’t what I hoped for and even thought it was never enough, it was. Some things never are. And we were. I won’t forget you. I won’t forget the summer. I’ll remember who I was when I met you. I’ll remember who you were and how we’ve both changed and stayed the same. I’ve never had more respect for life and living than I have right now. Maybe it takes a near death experience to feel alive. Thanks. To my mother. You raised me strong. I know I’m only brave because you were first. So thank you. All of you. For everything good. I feel like a free man. If I listen closely, I can hear the sky falling too.

- Frank

Channel Orange hits stores July 17th.

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