Clay Aiken
Yes, I know he came out a week ago. It’s old news and it wasn’t even that interesting when it first happened. But I’ve been stewing on this and I think I need to get it off my chest.
I like Clay Aiken. He’s the only American Idol contestant I ever voted for. In fact, he was the only reason I watched AI in the first place, and his was the only season I paid attention to. He’s the only AI contestant who put out an album I wanted to buy. (It’s his Christmas CD and it’s really good.) Now that he’s come out of the closet I don’t think I am considering myself a fan of his any more.
No. It’s not because he’s gay. It’s because he’s lied about being gay for like five years now. I don’t care if you are closeted, and I don’t care if you want to stay closeted until the day you die. That’s your business. But what I do care about is when you LIE. When asked if you’re gay, there are half a dozen answers to the question that aren’t lies but allow a person to table the discussion of his or her sexuality. Things like “I don’t think that’s a necessary topic of conversation” or “I don’t wish to discuss it” are just fine. And they aren’t out and out LIES. I have no problem with gay men. I do have a problem with cowards and liars.
The Stock Market
I see that it dropped a whole lot of points yesterday. I refuse to worry, though. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of investing and watching the market it’s that the Market drops points the way most dieters lose weight. For every headlining loss, there is an equal gain with an increase for good measure. As sure as I weigh 40 pounds more than I did when I got married, the market will come back eventually.
The Conservative Hollywood Movie
I don’t know what it’s called but Ken from Blue Collar Muse is among those urging conservatives to support the film on the merits of it’s right-of-centerness.
Uh-uh.
For years I’ve listened to–and at times joined in–the long whinging about Liberalness In Pop Culture. Bashing that Al Gore movie is still a popular sport in right-of-center gatherings. We complain about the preachiness, about the divisiveness and the whole left-out feeling of the experience. I don’t see why turnabout is a great idea. Besides which, that movie doesn’t even look remotely entertaining to me.
I would imagine Clay felt cornered. Look at all the harassment he faced in the media and by DJ’s, magazines, bloggers etc. I can’t write extensively on his up brining or religious (Southern Baptist) back ground, but I am sure he was ultimately conflicted, and confused. I have not walked in his shoes so I have a lot of forgiveness in my heart for anyone faced with what must have been a very large burden to carry once he even realized and could accept his sexuality. As my boss, who is gay, has told me it is a personal journey of accepting oneself. Clay had to have his personal journey played out in the media. To me that is the unforgivable part of this tale. When society frees itself from the harassment and prejudice closeted gay men and women face, then maybe there will be no need for lies. I can forgive a lie that is committed because of self preservation. I hope you can give yourself time to adjust, and contemplate Clay and his humanitarianism, and talent and ultimately forgive him. Good Luck!
Wow . You would expect Clay Aiken to tell you and the rest of the world intimate facts about his personal life when he was still trying to figure it all out for himself ? Before he told his mother , his brother , his beloved grandparents ? Or dance around the truth with non-answers ? In this society ? I guess if I had never lied or fudged the facts about my personal life when the person asking had no right to know , then I could judge Clay but I have no personal relationship with him . I have nothing to hate or forgive him for because his orientation is absolutely none of my business .
Now if I buy a ticket to his concert and he doesn’t show up then I would join you in being pissed . Good luck to Clay . He seems like a brave and caring man .
Oh, come on! Even after Clay was quoted saying: ‘Since I am neither a womanizer nor gay…’ he was still hounded. I understand why Clay had to ‘lie’ back then. Even Diane Sawyer, after interviewing Clay a couple of years before (and NOT mentioning any sexual preference of his), tried to ‘get it out of him’ in an interview a little more than a year ago (boy was he pissed at her LOL). Why?? Did she really think SHE was going to be the first ‘public’ person Clay opened up to??? I know, her husband, Mike Nichols, (Clay’s ‘boss’ right now) wanted Clay on Broadway years before he agreed to do Spamalot; but that didn’t give Diane the right to try to get the ‘exclusive’. Clay just found ‘the right time’ to let the world know he is gay-although I think 75 percent already had the gut feeling he was. Clay is not the only celebrity to be hounded regarding their sexuality (remember what Tom Cruise went through while married to Nicole)-but the media has to just let go and allow those who are gay to ‘come out’ when THEY feel comfortable–NOT when the media wants the ‘big story’. Clay—can’t wait to see you in Oct. in Spamalot (for the 3rd time!)-just an incredible stage performer in all aspects! You are terrific!!
So I guess Katherine has never ever lied in her life. How perfect.
Well aren’t you full of contradictions yourself. Shanti shanti shanti-and your favorite album was the Christmas album. Cowards and liars are everywhere behind every face. Be of good cheer. I believed every word Clay said too. Call me naive,old as I am.But then,the world makes us all cowards and liars if we live long enough.
But what does singing have to do with ethics?
But what about Hitler?
@Ginger: LOL
Clay Aiken lied about being gay???
It’s not that he lied about being gay.
It’s that he lied about being gay while holding a dick in his mouth.
I feel the same way you do about Clay Aiken. What’s particularly frustrating is everyone going on and on about how “brave” he was. Um, no. He lied for years – that’s not brave.
Because, as you pointed out, and so many others are missing, there are many ways to respond to “Are you gay” other than a bald-faced lie.
Entertainers are supposed to entertain and uplift. Clay Aiken can do neither for me because every time I see him, I see a liar and a coward.
Hitler was gay?
Was Mussolini gay too?
And also a hypocrite for saying he is a Christian when he isn’t really living as one.
Mussolini was a Christian?
And also a hypocrite for saying he is a Christian when he isn’t really living as one.
Who among us is?
Ginger, he was but he rarely said so.
I am a Christian. And I don’t do immoral stuff that goes against what the Bible says.