Clay Aiken comes out in People magazine.

[terrya]

Not necessarily a big surprise to some people...but welcome to the community, Clay. :-)

Clay Aiken Tells People: "I'm Gay"

American Idol runner up and Brodway actor Clay Aiken announced he is gay on the cover of People Magazine. Aiken, 29, recently became a father to a baby boy with friend and record producer Jaymes Foster, who he met while performing on the show that launched his career. His son Parker Foster Aiken was born in August.

"I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things," he's quoted as saying on the cover. (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid62176.asp

[LSK]

1. did he ever make music after American Idol???

Hes one of those names that I hear of but have no idea of any songs hes ever sung.

[KamaAina]

7. Would you believe, his biggest hit is titled "Measure of a Man"

No idea if he plans to re-release it on a 10" EP. :evilgrin:

[nomorenomore08]

12. A big ten-inch... record of a band that plays the blues!

:evilgrin:

[Shakespeare]

2. I'm happy to see that.

I can't imagine how soul-killing it must be to either remain closeted or remain in denial with yourself over that. I'm sure it was difficult for him to do this.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. Yeah, I think we all pretty much figured that one out already.

But glad he's being true to himself.

[KamaAina]

4. Next month: Days To Get Shorter; Trend Seen Continuing Through Dec.

Well, now that we've got that out of the way, I for one will sleep more soundly tonight... :sarcasm:

[terrya]

9. I know it's ridiculously obvious.

But it's one more out...officially out...performer in show business.

And the more people...especially successful people...in show business who come out, who are honest about their sexual orientation...the more easier it is for other closeted gay men and lesbians to come out. In my opinion.

[Lex]

25. Yes, I agree.

If everyone who's gay would just come out and quit being coy about it, then it wouldn't be a big deal anymore. It just wouldn't.

I was glad to see the Doogie Howser fellow come out a few years ago and basically say, "I'm gay, I'm happy, it's cool, thanks." Or something like that.

[elshiva]

34. Neal Patrick Harris is gay?

Just interested...just asking. I am big Neal Patrick Harris fan, Doogie Howser, How I met Your Mother, Dr. Horrible, Harold and Kumar, just a great actor. It would be fine with me if he is gay. :)

I am not a Clay Aiken fan. I just don't like the American Idol style of singing. That said I am glad he came out and just said it.

[Jamastiene]

39. I'm not a Clay Aiken fan or AI fan either.

But it is a good thing he came out. I agree with your take on it.

And yes, Neal Patrick Harris is gay.

[Zuiderelle]

5. OMG! I'm so shocked!

Not.

About time, silly Clay.

[Critters2]

6. In other news, sun to come up in east tomorrow morning. Details at 11 nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Oh. I was hoping he'd come out to admit that he's a talentless shitpot.

But, I respect him for his willingness to come out!! That's pretty cool.

Even if his "music" is a pile of shit.

[RainDog]

10. I've never even watched Am Idol and I knew he was gay

and so what.

He's like a lot of guys in the southern baptists churches I knew when I grew up. Gay, they all couldn't admit it in the culture in which they lived, and if their parents found out, they would do horrible things to them, like move two states away (this really happened to a guy I knew, more than once.)

Whether he's gay or not, I still don't like his style of music.

[ghostsofgiants]

11. Good for him.

i'm still waiting for his comment on how creepy that "If I was invisible" song was though.

[VenusRising]

13. Good for him.

Not that we all didn't know, but it's got to make things easier for him to not have to hide who he really is anymore.

[orestes]

14. Did anyone not know this?

The only "coming out" that would be less surprising would be Zombie Liberace.

[Lex]

23. I think there's some importance to HIM saying it finally.

nt

[Symarip]

15. He was outed years ago on Howard Stern

I wasn't surprised then, and I'm not surprised now.

[arcadian]

16. This is how the tabloids calibrate themselves.

Self-diagnostic.

[lightningandsnow]

17. Is anyone surprised?

I mean, good for him, but...um, who DIDN'T know?

[Liberal Veteran]

18. We should all pretend to be shocked just so he doesn't feel bad.

It's the polite thing to do.

[undeterred]

19. I think he has a wonderful voice.

I know some people don't like American Idol or whatever, but I love listening to Clay Aiken sing.

[elana i am]

20. i agree, his voice is gorgeous! NT

[Danger Mouse]

21. Everybody already knew.

[Lex]

22. I'm glad he finally said it. He should have long ago, but better late than never.

nt

[NashVegas]

24. Good For Him

I wish more in the entertainment industry would take the risk - especially those in country music.

[Connonym]

26. Good for him

nobody should have to live a lie

[SoxFan]

27. WHAT?!?

Next you'll be telling me that Elton John is gay!

[Arugula Latte]

28. He is! And ...

dare I be the one to tell you ...

Liberace, too!

[Montauk6]

29. Three words to describe this momentous period in history...

ANOTHER
MEDIA
DISTRACTION!

:mad:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. Congrats Clay!

Be who you are!

[AzNick]

31. Check out votefortheworst.com

http://www.votefortheworst.com/20080923/claymates_begin_inevitable_meltdown_grab_popcorn

Very funny. Many of his fans had no clue, some apparently still had secret hopes.

Unbelievable? Believe it!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

32. I played in the orchestra for a couple of his gigs...

Outside the stage door, ther were all these 50+ year old women begging to talk with Clay. It was soooo bizarre.

[AzNick]

35. Do you have any band camp stories?

I beg you to tell use!

Thanks for sharing. You should post this on votefortheworst.com, it's one of my favorite Web sites.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

36. You mean about Clay Aiken?

He rehearses in his pajamas...

He's a nice guy. The string parts were pretty boring, but I'd be glad to play his show again.

[Sebastian Doyle]

33. And in other not exactly shocking celebrity coming out news.....

In other closet-opening news, many online outlets are reporting that Lindsay Lohan has "confirmed" a lesbian relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson.

Lohan and Ronson rarely have been seen apart for several months, and they too have dodged direct questions about the nature of their relationship.

But Lohan called into the Los Angeles-based radio show "Loveline" last night to comment on the recent fatal plane crash that injured former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and DJ AM. Host Ted Stryker asked Lohan how long she and Lohan had been "going out."

"Like two years? One year? Five months, two months?" he asked.

Lohan chuckled, then said, "A long, a very long time."

Stryker ended the conversation by saying, "Well, I hope you stay together. You are a very lovely looking couple." Lohan thanked him.

Confirmation, it seems, is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder.

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/people/1180646,comingout092308.stng

I know a lot of straight guys will probably be upset over that one, but it seems like Lindsay has toned down the self destructive partying in recent times, so who could argue that the relationship isn't healthy for her?

[AnAnonymousDemocrat]

37. It's about time

I sure would love to see a celebrity come out of the closet at the peak of his or her popularity. They all wait until it's "safe".

I don't think anyone should be forced out of the closet, but on the other hand, I think it's cowardly when they wait as long as Clay Aitken has (along with many others).

[bigwillq]

48. Coming out is one of the hardest things to do.

It is not for us to judge when a person comes out or not. Clay Aiken is not a coward b/c he didn't come out sooner. It's none of our fucking business what a person does with their private life. He made a decision that he was ready to come out now. I think it's a wonderful thing.

[terrya]

53. Yes.

And quite honestly, I shouldn't have even posted about this. These "well, DUH! :eyes:" rsponses...ok, he's not Mr. Butch Heterosexual. But so fucking what? He came out. And as you said, coming out isn't easy for a lot of people. Especially if you're in the public eye such as Clay Aiken. I applaud him for it.

[samuraiguppy]

38. I'm shocked--

he had a baby with a 50 year old woman :wow:

How old is he? I am thinking at least 20 years younger than her?

[Jamastiene]

40. Good for him and good for the GLBT community.

Another one of us has publicly stated it and can breathe a breath of fresh air. :thumbsup:

[Drunken Irishman]

42. Is it good news for the GLBT community?

[LostinVA]

46. Why wouldn't it be?

He's very talented and pretty well known. Alot of people from very diverse backgrounds like him. Good news.

[Drunken Irishman]

58. I don't think he's very talented at all.

[lady raven]

41. I am an awful, awful person

I misread the thread title as "Clay Aiken Comes ON People Magazine". I thought, "TMI!"

I am going to wash my brain out with soap now.

[muriel_volestrangler]

43. Oh - I thought this was about Troy Aikman

Now that would shake up the NFL a bit ...

[meegbear]

44. ...

:spray:

[Sheets of Easter]

51. I loved Clay Aiken in "BJ and the Bear!"

Oh. That was Claude Akins. Sorry.

[LostinVA]

45. I'm shocked -- shockedc I tell you!!!

No gaydar needed for that one. Also, I know someone in NC whose friend dated him.

I'm glad he's doen this -- he's been lying about it for years.

[LaydeeBug]

47. Breaking: the Pope came out and said he's Catholic! nt

[Neshanic]

49. Meanwhile, my dog ate a cricket. Clay sweetie, we knew. People are smarter than you think.

[Sheets of Easter]

50. In other news, water is wet and the sun rises in the East.

:P

Good for him. That is a big step, and I'm glad he finally got the courage to come out.

[southpaw]

52. Why come out to Screw Up Your Life... I mean... People Magazine?

Glad to hear it, regardless of the source, but I rate People a few notches higher on the integrity scale than Weekly World News.

[LynneSin]

54. File that under "No Shit, Sherlock"

I mean I'm glad he's finally honest but it's not like any of us thought otherwise. Even my busted gaydar picked up on that one right away

[Wetzelbill]

57. It's like if Frontline did a doc on the Pope being Catholic

:)

[texas1928]

55. Oh my god, I feel like I did when I learned Liberace was gay.

:hide:

[Iggo]

56. Filed under: "No duh." (n/t)

[av8rdave]

59. And this is important because...???

[Love Bug]

60. What will the Claymates do now?!!

Most of them are in denial! Oh, noes!

BTW -- good for him!

[supernova]

61. 'Bout time

God bless him. And hope he's happier now. That's a really cute baby too. :hug: