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Although he is the former lead singer of Attack Attack!, Caleb Shomo is best known for taking on the same role in Beartooth.
The rock singer has been married to his wife, Fleur Chaumont, for more than 14 years.
He has now come out in public after a long period of self-examination.
Fleur shows support for her husband.
“I am a proud gay man”
On Saturday, May 23, Caleb took to his Instagram page to share a lengthy and heartfelt message.
“There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding my personal life lately, and I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love most,” he began.
“I am a proud gay man,” Caleb declared.
“This is something I’ve been unpacking and considering in my life for some time,” he shared.
The 33-year-old rocker, who grew up as the son of a pastor, wrote that his period of denial and repression of his sexuality was “difficult to navigate.”
“I spent a decade burying my feelings with alcohol,” Caleb admitted.
“Honestly, when I decided to put it aside and focus on exploring why I felt this way for so long,” he shared, “it was a direct path for me to come to terms with my sexuality in hopes that it would eventually lead to an experience of self-love.”
Caleb shared that he will express himself “wholeheartedly and completely” on his upcoming album.
“Wherever it takes me I will follow it and refuse to dilute any part of it, from the music to the lyrical content and the way I portray myself,” he pledged.
“I’m only going to do what makes me happy on the deepest levels and what’s the truest portrayal of my personality. … I’m finally trying to be proud of who I am and I think that’s a big part of that journey,” Caleb stressed.
“Keeping these things will only hurt you and those around you.”
“I encourage anyone struggling with their identity to give themselves grace. Give yourself patience. Encourage Caleb. Be true to yourself.”
“Do the hard work instead of burying it as deep as possible thinking it will change like I did,” he advised him.
“Keeping these things only hurts you and those around you,” Caleb advised.
Finally, he concluded, “I love you all, and I hope this is a step in the right direction to love myself one day.”
Our heartfelt congratulations to Caleb. Being yourself is an essential component of happiness. If our society wasn’t so riddled with homophobia, transphobia, and similar cultural bigotry, more people would be able to do this sooner.
Obviously, many immediately thought of Caleb’s wife, whom he married around April 1, 2012.
Fleur posted a post of her own on Instagram, where she shared a heartfelt message about her husband’s revelation.
“I will always want to love, protect and support Caleb,” she affirmed, even as she acknowledged the confusing and difficult months.
Some couples sometimes feel that disclosing about the relationship – in any capacity, but especially if they are gay or transgender or expect the relationship to end – would be unfair to their partner.
However, like parents who hate each other but avoid divorce because they share a child, trying to live a lie ultimately hurts everyone involved.
