Country singers Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman have both come out as being gay this week.

Herndon, who first revealed his sexual orientation in interviews with People magazine and Entertainment Tonight, reportedly inspired Gilman to go public as well.

"I was 10, sitting in church and horrified that I might be a homosexual. Whatever that word meant, I knew that I probably was one," Herndon said to People. "And I know there's a lot of those kids still out there. Telling my story is an opportunity to help just one of them."

Gilman posted a video message on YouTube, thanking Herndon for being brave and breaking the ice. He said that he preferred giving a personal message directly to his fans rather than doing a press interview.

Besides Herndon's confession leading to Gilman stepping forward, a close encounter with a paparazzi also prompted Gilmanto tell his story. He ran into a journalist in a public place and the he snapped a photo of the country star -- with his partner.

"It was in that moment that I knew that I'd rather it be from me than you reading it somewhere else," Gilman told fans in the video posted Thursday.

He also said he feared about his sexuality being questioned in the media if he didn't address it. The 26-year-old added, "being a gay, male country artist is not the best thing."

Gilman rose to fame at just 11 years old when his debut hit album was released, but lately, the singer said he knew something was up when major music labels were hesitant about his future career.

"I knew something was wrong when no major label wanted to sit down and have a meeting and listen to the new stuff," he said according to CNN.

Gilman also previewed a clip of his new song, "Say You Will."

Watch Gilman's coming out video below:

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