How Gay Does Adam Lambert Really Need To Be?

Published November 20, 2009 @ 05:13AM PT

Adam Lambert may not have won American Idol, but you wouldn't know that from the wave of publicity this week, all in anticipation of his first album dropping. But the coverage this week had less to do with his musical abilities and more to do with his sexual orientation.

Not whether he's gay, of course. That's old news and about as shocking as finding out that school buses are yellow.

No, the question this week was whether Adam Lambert is gay enough. And it all sparks from an Out Magazine exclusive where the editor says that Lambert's handlers and his record company laid out all the stops to make sure that he didn't appear too gay, or get asked any gay questions. Turns out that record execs still worry a whole heck of a lot that being too gay will kill your profit margin at the iTunes store.

Out Magazine's editor, Aaron Hicklin, really went to town on Lambert and the music industry folks who surround him. Hicklin says that for Lambert to allow his handlers to dictate how gay he can appear, as well as censor questions from journalists that might have to deal with gay rights, does a disservice to his LGBT fan base and also fosters a certain sense of shame about sexuality.

In 2009, do we really have to worry about fan bases being skeeved out by someone's sexual orientation?

Last night Lambert fired back with an interview in Entertainment Weekly, where he not only said that Out Magazine was crying wolf, but that they were trying to drum up controversy for the sake of selling magazines. Ouch.

"I’m not being puppeted around. I didn’t want to jump onto a gay magazine as my first thing, because I feel like that’s putting myself in a box and limiting myself. It was my desire to stay away from talking about certain political and civil rights issues because I’m not a politician. I’m an entertainer," said Lambert. "I didn’t feel comfortable, so I asked my publicist to ask the interviewer to stay away from the political questions. I take full responsibility for that. I think that the editor has his agenda and has his opinions, which I respect, but they’re not necessarily my opinions. And I wish there was a little respect for that. Not every gay man is the same gay man."

Lambert is the most successful openly gay musical artist to hit the scene in a really long time, and his first album hasn't even dropped yet. He's got a platform like no other, and could speak on one of the leading civil rights issues of our time with a megaphone and audience that most people would envy.

But he doesn't want to. And it's a missed opportunity.

But it's a missed opportunity that LGBT rights activists should live with, simply because it doesn't make sense for our movement to eat our own when we've got so many other battles to fight.

And it's in fighting those battles that we'll eventually change this culture that says that an openly gay celebrity better stay the hell out of political discussions or risk losing his career, his fame, and his money.

(Photo courtesy of graphicshunt.com)

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Comments (9)

I actually understand where he's coming from. I don't necessarily like it, but I get it. There was enough talk about him losing simply because too many conservative parents didn't want their teen daughters voting for "the gay one" that I can understand why he'd be wary of bringing even more of that on himself when he's still a very new addition to the pop music scene.

I also understand why he'd want to avoid discussing politics on a personal level. When you want to talk about your music (or film or book or anything) and instead continue to get the same questions about your political views it gets a little frustrating. Kelly Clarkson doesn't get asked about gay marriage (usually) so why should he? Why should he not be given the same opportunity to discuss his music that any straight performer gets? The idea that every openly gay celebrity must be a spokesperson for gay rights is rather unfair, not everyone is inclined to share their political beliefs with the entire world. He's already improved on Clay Aiken by not staying closeted for half a decade.

Besides, if he ever does open up we may find that we don't want him speaking for us. I'm sure at least a few of us have rolled our eyes and wished for Perez Hilton to shut up already.

Posted by Tobias Fangor on 11/20/2009 @ 06:44AM PT
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I support Adam wholeheartedly. I feel he has done more for humanizing gays in this culture than anyone in recent memory just by being himself. For a new comer on the music scene he is dealing & rising above all the new situations with absolute class and clarity. Can u imagine the fear u would have preparing a live performance in front of the biggest names in the music industry? That alone would overwhelm me let alone the concern of whether or not u will have a music career next week after ppl get to hear ur vision for ur music! Crazy pressure! And yet he can take an attack by someone of stature and remind THEM that "not every gay man is the same gay man". Beautiful mind & integrity! The gay community should be proud of such an example of the best of humanity, not putting him down before he can barely get started. As a straight person, I only wish I had his self pocession and clarity of thought. Give him time , his heart is so big u gotta know he will do what he can/wants to do to help advance acceptance of the gay community. So what if for this year its about building a music career not all about u (the editor).

Posted by Tamara Naftal on 11/20/2009 @ 07:11AM PT
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How black does somebody have to be to be considered black? I heard it often enough to ask that question? What is the answer? I don't know you tell me apparently you know more about this subject that me because you are back!

I am not prejudice just using that as an example? Adam shouldn't have to prove himself to anybody in an interview but sales of his record and what he actually feels about the subject will stain his mask!

Posted by Peter S. T. on 11/20/2009 @ 11:21AM PT
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Correction black

Posted by Peter S. T. on 11/20/2009 @ 01:15PM PT
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It's good that Adam Lambert is a successful music artist who is also gay. It's alright if he doesn't to be too much of a politician because he is a prominent member of the LGBT community by being a successful music artist early in his career. The record executives should not limit Adam Lambert's personality either because the record executives are cowards or intolerant, stated by Out magazine. Maybe later, Adam Lambert will be more open to talking about LGBT rights, but that wouldn't be necessary.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 11/20/2009 @ 02:41PM PT
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Right, this is just like that time when people said Obama wasn't black enough, then only 98% of black people voted for him.

Posted by Alex Edelman on 11/22/2009 @ 11:22AM PT
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I have gained a whole new respect for Adam Lambert after reading about his outrageous performance last night at the American Music Awards. I don't watch that show, nor do I watch American Idol so I haven't really given this performer much thought at all. I knew he was gay and came out and all that. But from what I read today the man's got balls!!!

From Rueters: "Millions of viewers saw Lambert simulate oral sex with a back-up dancer, plant a passionate kiss on the mouth of a male keyboard player and gesture to the audience with his middle finger during the closing act of the live music awards show."

YEAH!!! You GO Girl!! Fuck them if they can't deal with it! I don't care if it was all staged the same way Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction was staged. It sounds awesome.

"ABC cut away from one moment in which Lambert rubbed his crotch for its U.S. West Coast version that aired later on Sunday evening. But by then, the singer's racy rendition of his debut single "For Your Entertainment" was already on its way to becoming the talking point of the show."

Of course, assholes are bitching about how their "12-year old kids" shouldn't have to see this kind of stuff on TV. Again, parents unfit for parenting because they have no clue as how to deal with their kids. Fuck them! Turn the TV off! It's YOUR TV and they're your kids - if you want to repress them and try to shield them from the "dangerous" gay performers of the world then lock them away in their rooms. Whip them with car aireols. Chain them to their beds. Lord knows you don't want to have to talk to them about anything you don't understand.

Posted by Al Falafool on 11/23/2009 @ 03:05PM PT
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IS HE GAY ENOUGH NOW FOR YOU????????!!!!

Posted by Al Falafool on 11/23/2009 @ 03:05PM PT
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This nonsense that Adam Lambert did something that was naughty is HOMOPHOBIA!

What your kids won't learn and do they will in the schoolyard Mr. and Mrs. Clever!

It's ok when Madonna and Brittney Spears kiss right? I can go on and on on how women can do things, but not a gay man, oh no, that's ill repute!

I hate two faced, one sided issues that are double standardised!

He is going to be successful and is, so deal with it whether you liked his thrusts, gropes and what not!

Maybe more people need to loosen up and get laid!

Anyone reading this post that has an interest in Gay Rights, I am a strong advocate for it as well as animal rights and other causes, not HATE!

So if interested ask my friendship, otherwise, go eat cake Mary! I'm in No moot Marie for breeder rhetoric! (Mary and Marie are Gay Slang, deal with it)!

Posted by N J on 11/25/2009 @ 04:27AM PT
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