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19/01/2015
'I Am A Gay Man' - Health Minister Leo Varadkar
The Minister for Health, has publicly revealed that he is gay.
Minister Leo Varadkar made the statement during an interview with RTÉ Radio, saying that he had chosen to speak publicly in order to fully support the government's referendum on marriage equality.
Speaking on Sunday with Miriam on RTÉ Radio 1, Mr Varadkar said: "I'm a very private person and I still am. I keep my private life to myself and that's going to continue.
"I always think that friends and family are off-bounds. I went into politics, they didn't.
"But, I am a gay man - it's not a secret - but not something that everyone would necessarily know, but it isn't something I've spoken publicly about before."
The Dublin West TD, who turns 36 today (Monday), revealed that he has only come to terms with his own sexuality within the last two years, but added that he has always known that he was gay.
"I just want people to know that whatever decisions are made on any issue, I'll make them according to what I believe is in the public interest and my own conscience," Mr Varadkar added.
"I won't be allowing my own background or my own sexual orientation to dictate the decisions that I make.
"I just kind of want to be honest with people. I don't want anyone to think that I have a hidden agenda."
(MH/IT)
Minister Leo Varadkar made the statement during an interview with RTÉ Radio, saying that he had chosen to speak publicly in order to fully support the government's referendum on marriage equality.
Speaking on Sunday with Miriam on RTÉ Radio 1, Mr Varadkar said: "I'm a very private person and I still am. I keep my private life to myself and that's going to continue.
"I always think that friends and family are off-bounds. I went into politics, they didn't.
"But, I am a gay man - it's not a secret - but not something that everyone would necessarily know, but it isn't something I've spoken publicly about before."
The Dublin West TD, who turns 36 today (Monday), revealed that he has only come to terms with his own sexuality within the last two years, but added that he has always known that he was gay.
"I just want people to know that whatever decisions are made on any issue, I'll make them according to what I believe is in the public interest and my own conscience," Mr Varadkar added.
"I won't be allowing my own background or my own sexual orientation to dictate the decisions that I make.
"I just kind of want to be honest with people. I don't want anyone to think that I have a hidden agenda."
(MH/IT)
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