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Country star Billy Gilman comes out on same day as Ty Herndon in solidarity... and slams the industry for being 'ashamed' of gay artists

Published: 19:05 EST, 20 November 2014 | Updated: 21:38 EST, 20 November 2014

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Billy Gilman came out as gay on Thursday, just hours after fellow country artist Ty Herndon revealed he has been in a relationship with a man for five years.

Inspired by Ty's courage, Billy shared a video to Youtube titled My Story By Billy Gilman, in which he talks about his sexuality and his partner of five months.

But the former child star, who is now 26, criticised the industry for being 'ashamed' of gay artists and encouraging them to lie about who they are to protect their careers.

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In solidarity: Billy Gilman was the second country star to come out as gay on Thursday, following Ty Herndon's announcement hours earlier

Echoing the sentiments of 52-year-old Ty, who has been married to two women, Billy said: 'It's difficult for me to make this video, not because I'm ashamed of being a gay male artist or a gay artist or a gay person.

'But it's pretty silly to know that I'm ashamed of doing this knowing that because I'm in an genre and industry that is ashamed of me for being me.'

And Billy, who found fame at the age of 11, is afraid that his career will be affected by the announcement.

'I felt it was time to be honest': The singer spoke about his sexuality in a video which he posted to YouTube

'In recent years when I came back to Nashville, there were rumours and whispers, you know, "Is he, or isn’t he?"' he admitted. 'I love the industry but many know being a gay male country artist is not the best thing.

'If people don’t like your music that’s one thing, but after having sold over five million records, having a wonderful life in the music industry I knew something was wrong when no major label wanted to sit down and have a meeting and listen to the new stuff.

'I [did] a showcase in Nashville and no major label showed. And I guess coming to terms with the situation, people were stating, "Oh, you don’t know how many times we heard comments made."'

Criticising the industry: Billy called out the country music world for being 'ashamed' of gay artists

Billy also said that decided to come out on his own terms, after a reporter took a photo of him with his partner recently.

'It was in that moment that I knew that I’d rather it be from me than you reading it somewhere else and probably filled with not truth,' the Say You Will star explained. 'I can honestly say I’m scared to death.

'But I thank each and every one of you for your support, you know how much I love you. Know that I will always strive to be the best artist that I can be, and now that I have finally found my place as a person that only makes the music that much better.

Growing up in the spotlight: Billy, now 26, found fame at the age of 11. He is pictured here in 2001

'So I thank you for your support, and I know some people won’t agree with this, and that’s OK, to each his own. But I felt it was time for me to be honest and to be truthful. I love you all and from the bottom of my heart I thank you.'

Billy divulged that despite his criticisms of the country music industry, fellow artists such as Keith Urban and LeAnn Rimes 'have been nothing but supportive' in the past and he doesn't doubt that they will continue to be good friends to him.

As for Ty's coming out announcement, the star said: 'A fellow country artist and friend made it easier for me to make this video and I wanted my fans who have stuck by me for many, many years to know.'

Budding romance: The star, seen here earlier this week, said that he has been in a relationship with his partner for five months

He added: 'Ty Herndon, who I’ve known and been a fan of – congratulations on such a courageous effort.'

Ty came out in an interview with Entertainment Tonight earlier in the day. When asked what the biggest lie he has told himself is, in reference to his hit song, the singer said: 'That I couldn't be gay and be in country music.

'I've dreamed about being in country music since I was six years old and it's my life, it’s what I do, it's who I am and I went to great lengths to cover up that fact to be a country star. And today I get to tell the world I am an out, proud, and happy gay man.'

Country singer Ty Herndon comes out as gay