Boy George always felt he was "meant to be gay".
Boy George
The Culture Club frontman has never doubted his sexuality or viewed being attracted to other men as a "terrible mistake", but growing up he thought it best to "keep it quiet" to avoid being bullied.
He told Classic Pop magazine: "I always felt I was meant to be gay. I've never thought, 'There's been a terrible mistake, I needed to be cured of being gay.' "Even aged six, I knew this is what I'm meant to be.
"I remember thinking at that age, 'What I'm feeling is OK but I'd better keep it quiet. "I heard, 'You're a poof' and 'You're a girl' a lot as a kid, but it didn't change anything."
The 60-year-old singer doesn't know how much attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community has changed over the years.
He said: "I can only speak for myself. I think how you're treated is locational and from what your family tell you about yourself.
"Gay people largely hear about what they are through insults in the playground or what their family say in seeing someone like me on TV. "
George is currently single and he's happy that way.
He insisted: "I'm not lonely so please don't worry about me."
The 'Karma Chamelon' hitmaker thinks the internet has had a huge impact on stardom as everyone feels they are on an "even keel" when it comes to fame as they have an outlet, while the constant watchful presence of social media means people are more careful of how they behave.
He said: "The internet has given us great communication but it's also made us behave more, because we're constantly being watched.
"Also, people no longer have to work so hard to get attention and I'm not sure about that.
"Everyone feels they're on an even keel where fame is concerned because the internet means everyone has their own TV show, where you can build your own brand.
"It's just a mad time for culture, as if someone has pressed a giant pause button. "
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