Taking an important step forward, several public figures came out in 2009.

Raised in the County of Cork, Ireland, hurling champion Donal Og Cusack came out in his autobiography, Come What May. His Cork All Stars teammates gave him their complete support.

British singer Duncan James, with Blue Band, told the tabloid, “News of the World” he was tired of hiding his sexuality, and came out as bi.

The provocative “American Idol” runner-up singer Adam Lambert came out as gay with a bang. On the cover of a June issue of “Rolling Stone” magazine, he was pictured in a seductive pose with a snake winding up his leg. The caption read, “The Liberation of Adam Lambert, Wild Idol.”

“The Rainbow Minute,” a radio show on WRIR, Richmond Independent Radio, is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and airs on 97.3 FM every Weekday at 9:03am, 12:30pm and 4:30pm.  Listen to the WRIR’s audio stream here.

The Rainbow Minute is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and airs on 97.3 FM, WRIR Richmond Independent Radio, every Weekday at 8:59am, 12:30pm and 4:30pm. Listen to the WRIR’s audio stream here.