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Adam Lambert, thank you for being a tease
Friday’s New York Times had a nifty little article about everyone’s favorite American Idol eyeliner aficionado and maybe-gay Adam Lambert called American Idol's Big Tease, in which they confront the is-he-or-isn’t-he question head-on, but with a twist. The question from writer Guy Trebay wasn’t so much whether Lambert is gay, but rather how this (maybe) gayness is processed in a post-Clay Aiken world, in which the guy who is widely presumed to be the AI frontrunner and the first in recent memory to bring notoriously fickle judge Simon Cowell to his feet may be able to succeed on his own terms. The nature of those terms however, are up for debate. Are they an implicit belief from gay fans that Lambert is gay and from hetero fans of the Claymate variety that he’s just a Pete Wentz type that is just, you know, really into eyeliner and kissing guys from time to time? Will Lambert go on to pop stardom in the Prince mode, toying with sexuality and gender norms in his music and videos, stirring the pot while never quite blowing the lid off? And is it anyone’s damn business either way? Adam Lambert Of course it is: this is American Idol after all, and the big question is whether the same country that just legalized gay marriage in two states is comfortable enough letting an openly gay man win one of its most popular televised competitions. While I say yes, a gay person can win AI, Mr. Lambert may not be the rainbow-flag waving super gay to do it, at least not on those terms. Even if he does win, the big question can only be answered if Lambert or Idol makes some sort of unequivocal declaration of his sexuality, and so far both are keeping their lips sealed (although ironically it‘s that little picture with his lips decidedly unsealed that has added so much fuel to this fire). While some on both sides are pulling their hair out in frustration waiting for it, I’ve always been a big fan of the chase, and, yes, the tease. I’m not sure which is more fun: speculating about Lambert’s sexuality online or with gay friends, or eyeballing every little move he makes on Idol to search for a signifier of allegiance to all of his (maybe) gay family that is rooting for him. It’s called mystery, people, and in our sex tape/TMZ/omfgwhatdidchrisbrowndotorihannasface era of celebrity, I think that a lot of us have forgotten the allure it can have carry when it comes to our entertainers, especially our (maybe) gays like Adam Lambert. Now I’m not saying that there’s a certain “fun” taken away from speculating about our maybe-gays once they come out, but … when was the last time you thought about Lance Bass? Submitted by on Mon, 2009-04-13 09:16. |
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Frankly I've NEVER thought about Lance Bass
Adam
While I'll admit that I'm an Adam fan for his talent. As for as thinking romantically of him. Not so much. I'll admit he's sexy looking, but just not my type. The same goes for Lance, nice to hear, nice to look at, but nothing I'd want to take to my bedroom.
I do think the part in not
I do think the part in not knowing for sure can be interesting and a mystery maybe, but honestly, no matter where I go and read fan comments about Adam they all seem to know that he is gay and are fine with it. It's not an issue. I have read a lot of girls saying that they would like him to speak about it, mostly cause they wanna know if he's gay och bi. If they have a chance on him I guess. But the point is that his fanbase consists of very different types of people, from younger girls, straight guys (one of the best fan sites about Adam that I visit is created by a straight guy who loves Adam for his incredible talent) and middle-aged women - everyone loves him! If it was just young girls, maybe it would be a little more of a problem, idk.
I like when celebrities are a little secret about their personal life, especially entertainers and actors etc, but some things I think you should know about your Idols. In Adam's case, I don't think anyone will stop liking him, stop voting for him or so on if he actually says he's gay.
When you talk about Lance Bass it is VERY, very different, cause he was just a D-lister of some sort, and became more famous because people were talking so much about his personal life. I guess when they found out the truth they just went back into thinking he was boring, which he is, and a D-lister again. IDK, but they are very different and Adam's success is because he's such a great performer, so different and cool.
I love Adam and he is the next AI winner!!
I agree, H...
But the point is that his fanbase consists of very different types of people, from younger girls, straight guys (one of the best fan sites about Adam that I visit is created by a straight guy who loves Adam for his incredible talent) and middle-aged women - everyone loves him!
I work with a lady whose husband is very conservative both politically and socially, but he's a big fan of alternative music (NIN, The Cure, Chili Peppers, etc.) and he loves Adam Lambert.
Maybe the old rules just don't apply any more.
I think it's hard to judge
Adam Lambert is An Out Gay Man
Just because the producers of AI are pouring the tea, doesn't mean we gay folks have to lap it up.
It feels completely disrespectful to this young man's talent and career thus far for us to keep shoving him into the closet just because AI is too homophobic and heterosexist to deal with his sexuality.
We know he's gay because he WANTS us to know he is gay.
We also know that AI will never let him say in while he's under contract with them as a contestant.
All the more reason why we should be waving his big gay flag on his behalf and supporting his fabulous talent and NOT acting like we don't know the real deal.
"Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common." (Dorothy Parker)
WORD darcolover 55!
There's nothing "mysterious" about being gay.
Of course in terms of what the show actually is, everyone's "personal life" (gay, straight or bi) shouldn't be an issue. It's all supposed to be about the singing. Putting whatever pressure AI management may be applying to him to keep quiet aside there's no real reason for Adam to talk about himself in any way until the whole show is over.
assumption does not equal fact
Actually, we KNOW nothing of the sort.
I'm still not gettting why folks think he's closeted/straight?
We don't have to assume. That is what is so ridiculous about this whole discussion.
The man wasn't closeted and if folks took the time to do a little research in any newspaper that covers theater or caberet, they would see that he has never been shy about people knowing how he swings (and no I'm not talking about his performance choices)
It should be enough for a man to live an openly gay life that he doesn't deny (particularly in this day and age).
He shouldn't have to go on Oprah to tell the world or announce it in People Magazine to proove it to folks.
I love when folks do the big gay announcement because it reaches lots of folks and gay is good and OUT IS BETTER!
But that's not the only way to roll.
It is one thing for us as a community to want to protect someone who is closeted and doesn't want to be out (which clearly is some folks' passion in life)
It is another thing entirely for us to shove someone back into the closet when they clearly have no intention of being there and we know they are just doing what they need to do to work within a skewed system like AI.
As for tweens. Tweens don't care if a celebrity dude is gay. They love gay boys.
It's the adults who have the issues.
"Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common." (Dorothy Parker)
Exactly!!!!
Thank you for that well worded and timely comment.
Eric
"News"?
I like how the NYT is jumping on this story the week after O'Reilly had his panic moment about it. Maybe Adam is doing well because he's really talented and the most interesting contestant on AI this season. Will Adam publicly come out before the end of the season? Probably not. The producers, however, are allowing him to be himself and I thought it was impressive that he changed the pronouns in "Tracks of My Tears" to be more ambiguous. Until he starts vehemently denying that he's gay (a la Aiken), I don't have a problem with the "tease."
Go Adam!
Out of the closet
Beside the fact that Adam seems to be the most talented this season, it is that he does not have to publicly say the words "I am Gay". I'm a major proponent of every single gay person to be out of the closet. But just the fact that he said" I am who I am" says it all.
The problem with Adam being a possible winner is that the majority of the voters are young tween girls. Are they ready for a Gay Idol? Only time will tell.
http://web.me.com/michaelmicha/Queer_Heaven/Blog/Blog.html
I think the tweens will be
i thought this interview was pretty obvious.....
I dont need him to jump up and down to declare it because people are dying to know. Just keep performing the way he did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJOJZljJO4&feature=related
My thought on Adam can be found here--
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/fashion/12gayidol.html?ref=television
There is no closet
I don't see why he has to do a cover of People and be all "YES, I AM GAY" to be "officially" acknowledged as gay. He's out. He's been out for what looks like a long time. If he was ever even IN the closet, there's certainly no closet now.
So why make him "come out"? He's living his life; the closet is 1000 miles behind him. Get over it. This fixation on "is he/isn't he" has more to do with a generation previous to the youth of today who /had/ to deal with coming out. Today, at least with those youth in urban areas and the coasts...of which Adam is from....it's not the same issue. My friend's daughter who is 13 was telling her mother about how she wished she could get a love letter like her guy friend got from his boyfriend that day. She'd gushed about how sweet it was. It was all a non-issue for her and her friends--at age 13! She just thought the two boys' love letters were adorable.
That's what's coming and Adam is just another sign of those times. As he said himself, "It is what it is."
Adam is becoming an inspiration to many.
Why Adam Lambert is a role model for my son
"After catching up on our weekends, sharing recent kid happenings and getting an update on the Little League Opening Day festivities, we got down to business. We talked American Idol. Or more specifically, Adam Lambert.
We're suburban moms. I bet you think you know what we discussed. His hair. His nail polish. His song choices. His supposed sexual preference. Sure, we did. But mostly we agreed that Adam Lambert was a role model. Who cares if there are pics of him posted all over the Web, in drag, at Burning Man. We could care less. We care that he's original. Takes risks musically. Is over-the-top theatrical on the the most popular (read: mainstream) show on TV.
One mom went on to say that wouldn't it be great if, someday, our sons could set themselves apart from the pack, like Adam. Whatever they choose to do, do it in an unique, inspiring way. To love what they're doing. And so comfortable in their own skin, that they have THAT confidence. Adam confidence."
http://theplanetmom.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/04/why-adam-lambert-is-a-role-model-for-my-son.html