Marc Ambrosia is ready to celebrate something about himself that he’s kept hidden for 20 years.

He’s gay.

The prolific New Jersey-based songwriter reveals his truth on “Gay and Proud,” a bright and cathartic pop rock single which gives him a chance to open up — and, in the process, release two decades of inner turmoil.

“I’ve known I was gay since I was eight years old. Despite that, I never in a million years would have thought I’d be able to admit that to anyone, let alone publicly.” Ambrosia said. “For so long, I felt rage, shame, and fear. I was so angry that I just couldn’t be ‘normal;’ I felt ashamed that I couldn’t change myself, and I felt so afraid that someone might find out my secret. It took me twenty years to not only say I’m gay out loud, but also to accept that about myself and love that about myself.”

Sonically, a slow simmer builds to a boil throughout “Gay and Proud.” Ambrosia progresses from a gently-delivered first verse, all the way to a triumphant, shout-along burst of energy in the final chorus — symbolic of his own journey toward self-acceptance and confronting his most palpable fears.

“While I came out in late 2021 to some close friends and family, I was still on the fence teetering back and forth about coming out publicly. I knew that I wanted to one day, but I wasn’t sure as to how or when,” Ambrosia said. “One day in summer 2022, I wrote ‘Gay and Proud,’ and I just knew immediately that this was the perfect vehicle in which I could come out publicly. It’s a jubilant, triumphant line in the sand. It’s the soundtrack to the beginning of the rest of my life. It’s truly a milestone and a song twenty years in the making. Since coming out a few weeks ago, I have been inundated with messages of love and well wishes. Eight-year-old Marc, who was scared and closeted, never would’ve imagined coming out ever — let alone to this type of love and support. It’s as if my inner child has experienced a lot of healing these last few weeks. The old adage, ‘it’s never too late to become what you might’ve been’ rings true.”

“Gay and Proud” was mixed and engineered by Eric McNelis at Gradwell House recording in Haddon Heights, NJ. It features Rick Eddy on drums, Thanny Nixon on bass, and (dear friend of UMC) Anthony Cubbage on guitars.

“The song itself is a celebration of life,” Ambrosia said. “A life that was so full of self-hate, and one that finally became one of self-love, acceptance, and peace.”