Gospel singer Ray Boltz, who is divorced with four children, has publicly come out of the closet and admitted he is gay.

In an interview with Washington Blade, the 55-year-old singer/songwriter says he came out to family and friends several years ago while sitting around the kitchen table at his daughter’s house on December 26, 2004, the day of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

“That day, with the tsunami, has become very symbolic in our family.” says Boltz.

His family’s reaction took time.

“I don’t want to downplay it like it was just, ‘Oh, well that’s OK.’ It was a very tough time for them too, but the bottom line was they loved me and they still love me … it’s been an amazing journey of acceptance on their part … I was offered support and love from each member of my family, including my wife.”

Boltz has been living quietly in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and says the decision to come out was personal.

“This is what it really comes down to,” he says. “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.”

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