R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe made the decision to come out gay in order to be a role model for young people struggling to cope with their sexuality.

The singer revealed his sexual preference in an interview with Time magazine in 2001, when he told the publication he was a "queer artist."

And now Stipe believes celebrities should be more open about their sexuality to aid youngsters in the same position.

He tells Spin magazine, "I recognize that to have public figures be very open about their sexuality helps some kid somewhere out there."

Tags: coming out, gay men, gay teen, michael stipe