Barry Manilow Has Officially Come Out As Gay & People Are Genuinely Stoked For Him

Septuagenarian US soft-rock/pop legend Barry Manilow has officially come out as gay in a new interview with People magazine, three years after marrying his long-time partner and manager Garry Kief.

In the interview, the intensely private Manilow revealed that he had not openly discussed his nearly four-decade-long relationship with Kief before now — at the age of 73 — because he feared that he would let down his predominantly female fan base by doing so.

"I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay," Manilow told People. "So I never did anything."

Manilow's 2014 marriage to Kief was reported on by multiple outlets back in 2015, but the star has never publicly commented on his sexuality until now, though those stories, in some ways, helped him find the confidence to properly come out after generating a largely positive response.

“When [the fans] found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy," Manilow said. "The reaction was so beautiful — strangers commenting, ‘Great for you!’ I’m just so grateful for it."

With that in mind, it's deeply encouraging to see several high-profile figures — and a raft of everyday fans — vocally lend their support to the Copacabana hit-maker in the wake of the official news, with the likes of George Takei, Tegan & Sara, comedian Fortune Feimster and more congratulating Manilow on feeling comfortable enough to come out, regardless of his age.

Congratulations @BarryManilow on coming out! Welcome to the club. #NeverTooLate

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 5, 2017

Anybody coming out publicly at any age is a big deal. Good for you, @barrymanilow! Enjoy the weight currently lifted off your shoulders.

— Fortune Feimster (@fortunefunny) April 5, 2017

Congrats to Barry Manilow!!!! https://t.co/uPbp46whUd

— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) April 5, 2017

"Why should we even care that Barry Manilow is gay?"

-People who can't imagine being in a 39-year relationship that they can't talk about.

— Riley Silverman (@ryesilverman) April 5, 2017

The enthusiastic feedback has clearly warmed the cockles for Manilow himself, too, with the veteran performer simply responding to all the hullabaloo:

I'm loving all of your responses. You guys are truly the greatest.

— Barry Manilow (@barrymanilow) April 5, 2017

Oh, and just in case you need reminding, a word of wisdom from Anna Kendrick and journalist Sean Kent to all the jokers out there today (and there's an unfortunate number of them):

Saying "I always knew Barry Manilow was gay" is not the way to react to the bravery of someone coming out.

— Sean Kent (@seankent) April 5, 2017

Lot of people seem really proud of themselves for announcing they "already knew" Barry Manilow was gay. Yeah……ur the true heroes today guys.

— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) April 5, 2017

That aside, this calls for a goddamned dance party. Get loose and celebrate for old mate Baz, who is actually just about to drop a new album, This Is My Town: Songs Of New York, on 21 April.