NEW YORK — Ricky Martin is no longer denying the rumors: He's gay.

In a statement posted via Twitter in both Spanish and English, and later confirmed with his representative, Martin said: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."

For many, yesterday's announcement will come as no surprise; the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer's sexuality has been speculated about for years. But the Puerto Rican star, who got his start as a child in the teen group Menudo, never directly addressed it and was usually seen at events with beautiful women on his arm.

Martin, 38, said he decided to reveal the truth after working on his memoirs helped him realize that he had to be free with himself. The father of two boys born via surrogate in 2008 also said he couldn't continue to hide his sexuality now that he is a father.

CHAZ BONO ASKS TO FORMALIZE SEX CHANGE

LOS ANGELES — Chaz Bono is asking a judge to formally change his name and gender.

The 41-year-old writer, activist and reality-TV star, was born a girl to Sonny Bono and Cher. He filed a petition to change his name and gender last week. Bono's doctor filed a declaration with the court indicating he performed a gender-change operation last year.

The filing was first reported by www.TMZ.com.

Formerly called Chastity, Bono has called the gender change "the best decision I've ever made."

BONE THUGS RAPPER ARRESTED AT SHOW

CLEVELAND — A rap artist from the group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony has been arrested during an Ohio concert on 12-year-old charges that he roughed up his mother with a gun.

Thirty-six-year-old Stanley Howse — whose stage name is Flesh-N-Bone — was in jail yesterday, a day after he was taken into custody during a show in the group's hometown of Cleveland.

A sheriff's spokesman said Howse was wanted on domestic violence and felonious assault charges. The rapper is accused of striking his mother with a gun in 1998.

ANTIQUES FROM DIANA'S HOME TO BE SOLD

LONDON — Rare antiques from the ancestral home of Diana, princess of Wales — including an $18 million Rubens portrait from the 17th century — will be offered for sale this summer, an auction house said yesterday.

Christie's auction house said it will sell about $30 million worth of artifacts from Althorp House, in Northamptonshire, central England. The auction house said the Spencer family hoped to sell off valuables to invest the funds raised and protect the home's long-term future.

Althorp — Diana's childhood home and the site of her burial following her 1997 death — is now occupied by Diana's brother, Earl Charles Spencer.