Sunday, March 2, 2014 7:23am ET by  
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Rufus Wainwright: "Coming out to my parents was a nightmare"

Rufus Wainwright has been speaking about his experience of coming out as gay.

The New York musician opened up during an interview with The Guardian to reveal the reactions of his mother and father – folk singers Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III.

Rufus explained: “Coming out to my parents was a nightmare. They reacted horrifically. There was fear, worry, shouting. I can't blame them. I was 18 and if you were a gay male in the late 80s you were basically presumed dead because of the Aids epidemic.”

Despite coming out in his teens Wainwright believes his sexuality was apparent much earlier as he stated:

“I was pretty gay from a young age – into cut-out dolls, Judy Garland, dressing up.”

Despite his earlier struggle Rufus is happily married to his husband Jörn Weisbrodt:

In the past 10 years, Jörn has taught me to chill out and not take myself so seriously. He's eternally patient. He's also very tall, and everything is in proportion.”

The ‘Out Of The Game’ singer is also enjoying life as a father after the birth of his first child, Viva:

“My daughter finishing her broccoli is, these days, on a par with having a worldwide number one record for me. Viva has changed my life – I'm in awe of her.”

Rufus Wainwright recently released 'Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright'.

Watch Rufus Wainwright perfoming 'Me and Liza' below: