Former 60s teen idol Lesley Gore, who is best known for her classic smash hit, "It's My Party (I'll Cry if I Want To)," the song that skyrocketed her to fame in 1963 at the age of 17, has come out in an interview with a lesbian web site.

Gore revealed to Afterellen.com that she has been living life as a lesbian for over 20 years but had never felt the need to reveal all about her sexuality because no one ever asked her about it.

She said in the interview, ""I have a partner of 23 years and I have a cocker spaniel ... named after Billie Holiday, one of my favorite singers. And I thought, you know, a little gender confusion makes a better person. A little adversity in life at an early age. It's character building."

Arguably the most commercially successful solo artist of the "Girl Group" era of the '60s, Gore said of the record industry, "there was very little acceptance of gay people. I think the record industry, by and large what's left of it, is still totally homophobic."

The 59-year-old star has recently released a new collection of classic songs including the Academy Award-nominated "Out Here On My Own" (from Fame) and "You Don't Own Me," a favourite especially at gay pride celebrations.