Is michael stipe gay?

In a 2001 Newsweek interview Stipe described himself as a "queer artist". In previous interviews he has described himself as "an equal opportunity lech" and said he doesn't define himself as gay, straight or bisexual, but that he was "just sexual" and was attracted to and had relationships with both men and women . Stipe was once very close to fellow singer Natalie Merchant and has recorded a few songs with her, including one entitled "Photograph" which appeared on a pro-choice benefit album entitled Born to Choose and they have appeared live with Peter Gabriel singing Gabriel's single "Red Rain".