The lead singer of Christian rock group Everyday Sunday has come out as gay.

Trey Pearson, 35, released an open letter to his fans via (614) Magazine yesterday.

In it he reflects on his "very conservative" Christian upbringing, where he was "taught that my sexual orientation was a matter of choice". He says: "I had never before admitted to myself that I was gay, let alone to anyone else. I never wanted to be gay. I was scared of what God would think and what all of these people I loved would think about me; so it never was an option for me."

Pearson is married with two young children. He says he had "romanticised" the idea of falling in love with a woman but that this had "resulted in a marriage where I couldn't love or satisfy my wife in a way that she needed".

He says that while he had married with the intention of spending the rest of his life with his wife Lauren, he had "come to accept that there is nothing that is going to change who I am".

He pays tribute to her, saying she "has been the most supportive, understanding, loving and gracious person I could ever ask for, as I have come to face this".

Pearson concludes by saying he is "taking another step into health and wholeness by accepting myself, and every part of me. It's not only an idea for me that I'm gay; it's my life. This is me being authentic and real with myself and other people. This is a part of who I am... I trust God to help love do the rest."

Everyday Sunday was founded in 1997 and has released several successful albums, including 2009's Best Night of Our Lives, which broke into the Billboard Top 200 list.

In an extended interview with (614), Pearson acknowledges his revelation might have an effect on his career, saying: "I realise a lot of gate holders in that industry may want to never play my songs again, due to fear – but I also think the world is changing– and I think there are a lot of people out there that want to be a part of this conversation. So, wherever people are willing to listen to my music and my story, I will go."