'Tis the Season to Be Gay on Idol ?

It's official -- Adam Lambert is in the top 11. But lizard pants and Pete Wentz hair notwithstanding, will American Idol producers slam the closet door on the show's "gayest" contestant yet?

By Dave White

Adam Lambert

An actual conversation I had not so long ago with my heterosexual older brother:

Him: "Have you seen Wicked ? It's fantastic."
Me: "No. I don't like Broadway stuff. You know that."
Him: "You should see it. [His wife's name] and I saw it and it's amazing."
Me: "When it was over, did you immediately begin having sex with men? Because it's a known fact of science that Wicked automatically turns you into a homosexual."
Him: "Huh?"
Me: "That was a joke. Since the show is so gay metaphor-ish and all."
Him: "What's gay about it?"

After fully explaining every single possible thing there was to explain about Wicked to my clueless brother, he still thought I was kidding. What could possibly be gay about a musical that was based on The Wizard of Oz ? No, seriously. He said that. And he went to college. So there you have it, fellow queers. Straight America still doesn't see you.

And yes, OK, they see RuPaul. And they see Carson Kressley. And they see Rosie and Ellen and Melissa. All good. But they didn't see any of them until they got right up on the TV screen and said, "Oh, hi, by the way, have I mentioned I'm a homosexual yet? No? OK, well, then let me correct that. Because that's what's going on." It still needs spelling out a lot of the time. And you can blame the straights for that if you want. Why not? They blame us for stuff all the time. But in their defense, the world is kind of built by them and for them. They're still not used to having to notice us. Especially on a show like American Idol.

Why does Idol matter to this discussion? Because even though the ratings are slipping, it's still the number 1 show on American television. It's popular culture at its biggest, shiniest, dumbest, loudest, and blandest. People you know will be talking about it this week, whether you want to participate in the conversation or not. And they will be talking about former Wicked cast member Adam Lambert.

Dave White is the author of Exile in Guyville. Find him at www.imdavewhite.com and his weekly American Idol blog at www.popnography.com . This article is representative of the author's views and not those of Advocate.com.

READ COMMENTS (22) EMAIL PRINT RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Christopher
Date posted: 3/18/2009 10:51:00 AM
Hometown: Toronto, ON

Comment:
Sounds to me like the problem with whether to be out or not has more to do with Fox than anything else.
Back to top
Name: rickp
Date posted: 3/17/2009 1:29:00 AM
Hometown: boston,ma

Comment:
Sadly what will do Adam in is the joke he made of the national anthem, now circulating the net.... ask roseanne you don't mess with that.
Back to top
Name: Lefil
Date posted: 3/15/2009 5:20:00 AM
Hometown: NY

Comment:
@Jessica Just because you have met him ONCE, it doesn't mean that you know everything about his personality.
Back to top
Name: Jessica
Date posted: 3/14/2009 5:41:00 PM
Hometown: San Diego

Comment:
Abby, When did I say I thought he was in the closet? On the contrary I said I knew he was openly out. He's still a phony and even if I did vote I would never vote for him and it has nothing to do with his sexuality. I don't respect him for not being himself, also he's just not that good :) Michelle, If it had nothing to do with producers then why didn't he show up to the auditions as himself? I can understand toning it down a bit for television but he still isn't being true to himself and that is what rubs me the wrong way about him.
Back to top
Name: Jim
Date posted: 3/14/2009 4:51:00 PM
Hometown: New York City

Comment:
Adam is a star. He's the real thing. Talk about entertaining. He makes the other contestants seem like they're all in "Up With People." If he doesn't win, I will slit my wrists, stab myself repeatedly with a fork, and then light myself on fire as I jump in Simon Cowell's lap. He's out. He doesn't care. It's better for him to be discreet, though, so he can win. Sad to say, the rednecks of America don't mind the gay guy as long as he doesn't say anything about it. If I were him, I'd say to hell with the gays who want a spokesman, and do whatever it takes to win. After that, he can do whatever he wants. But if he talks about being gay, trust me, he will lose millions of votes. PS - Dave White is one of the funniest writers ever.
Back to top
Name: Hamza
Date posted: 3/14/2009 3:14:00 PM
Hometown: pakistan

Comment:
its fun to b young!!! WoW dats sound great u know,da world iz changing!!
Back to top
Name: Adrian
Date posted: 3/14/2009 5:51:00 AM
Hometown: Northridge

Comment:
I don't watch Fox anymore since I knew that Fox TV take side to the right wings on banning the gay marriage.
Back to top
Name: jay
Date posted: 3/13/2009 9:48:00 PM
Hometown: fresno, california`

Comment:
Sorry, can't hold Clay up to be pilloried. Everyone's journey is different, he never bearded, never said derogatory things about gays or the lifestyle, just asked that his life be private. When he first was known publically he hadn't even come out to his family so why should he speak to perfect strangers about his very inner self? Each person has their own right to do so when they are ready. Don't see why Clay's always bashed, and usually by the same peeps that claim to not like him nor his music. Interesting. Why would it matter then? By the way, his voice is amazing whether your a fan or not, much like Adam's is amazing for those that prefer his style. The screaming part is not my cuppa, but I understand he's quite adept at beautiful vocalizing as well. He obviously is a stage creature, with comfort up there; just let him perform.
Back to top
Name: Holly
Date posted: 3/13/2009 8:09:00 PM
Hometown: Chicago

Comment:
I don't think it matters that Adam is gay. It's more about his actual talent and his overall personality that will determine how long he stays on the show. The reason Danny went so quickly last year was not because he was openly gay, but because he had attitide and entitlement issues that far exceeded his actual talent. Adam on the other hand definitely has talent, and he seems quite humble. Humble being the key word, because America loves humble kids who have talent and are grateful to be given the chance to succeed. The reason David Cook has such a loyal following, is because people fell in love with the person as much as they fell in love with his voice. If Adam stays true to who he is, the audience will appreciate his authenticity, and respond in kind, with power voting. It was David's talent, personality, and originality that gave him the crown. His being gay or straight was not the deciding factor.
Back to top
Name: Carl
Date posted: 3/13/2009 5:41:00 PM
Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Comment:
Canada is ahead in this area (once again). Last fall, openly gay Theo Tams, won Canadian Idol. One of the contestants sang his single on American Idol (can't remember his name, but he was one of the guys wearing a scarf and playing keyboard). His sexuality was never really discussed on the show, but one of the judges said he did well with the Rufus Wainwright type of music. Anyone with the least bit of gaydar could pick it up.

PREVIOUS 1 2 3 NEXT

More Online Only

Art Artist Spotlight: Que Duong

A fortune-teller told Que Duong's mother he would amount to nothing — which is why he gives everything he has to each photo he takes.

News Features What Gays Need to Know About the Census
This year’s 10-question census sheet still present some gray areas as far as answering properly. We tell you some key facts on how to most accurately fill out your form.

Music Thicke and Juicy

Sexy soul singer Robin Thicke opens up about his Precious wife, homophobia in the music industry, and the gay men who’ve shaped his life and love since childhood.

Internet Herman on Why He Wants to Stop H8

Fitness trainer, Real World alum, and marriage equality advocate Scott Herman took some time between crunches to tell The Advocate that his concern for gay rights isn't manufactured, and he doesn't mind men checking him out.

Theater In Rehearsals for La Cage With Nick Adams

Broadway performer Nick Adams heads into rehearsals for the Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles and brings The Advocate along for the ride.

People Life on the G List: Gyms of L.A.

For an actor in L.A., which gym you go to is almost as important as who represents you. Which is why out actor David Moretti goes to almost all of them.

News Celebration of Courage Not So Courageous

Advocate contributor Michael Lucas says the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission needs to be doing more to stop violence against gays and lesbians in countries "oppressed by Islam."

Entertainment News The Trouble With Johnny

Johnny Weir will always be an attention-seeking brat who loves to wear fur. But he’s also the best thing to ever happen to men’s figure skating.

Commentary A Prom Canceled, A Preschooler Expelled

Columnist Kim Stolz wonders if banning a lesbian high-schooler from prom — and a preschooler with lesbian moms from kindergarten — is just a sign the Catholic church is gasping for air.

Television Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?

Millionaire Douglas Donahoo is looking for the perfect man (who is also eco-friendly). Will matchmaker Patti Stanger deliver?

Commentary The Truth Behind Her Name Was Steven

Advocate contributor Eden Lane says CNN's Her Name Was Steven will help raise the visibility of trans people on TV, but the most compelling part of Susan Stanton's journey was left to a title card at the end of the film.

Television Laverne, Surely
I Want to Work for Diddy alum Laverne Cox leads a trio of transgender ladies in VH1’s Transform Me, a new makeover show that flatters her hooker-heavy résumé.

Music Cherie’s Jubilee
With The Runaways, the new film about her life with Joan Jett, pioneering rock star Cherie Currie is enjoying a renaissance ... with a little help from Dakota Fanning.

Washington D C View From Washington: Universal Stagnation

As Democrats struggle to push through health care reform and LGBT legislation, some gay activists are suggesting the administration's failings are a product of incompetence.

Activism Sex-Ed Student Turns Teen Activist

When sex education classes at Danny Sparks's high school failed to address the issues important to him, he took matters into his own hands ... and became an activist in the process.

Photography Artist Spotlight: Ryan Colford

From his "candy shoppe" line — sweet treats made oh-so sexy — to his black and white studies of the male form, photographer Ryan Colford exposes the beauty of the male body.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Matt Damon, Alicia, Almodóvar
This week Matt Damon finds himself in Iraq, Alicia plays MGM, and Almodóvar's genius finds its way to your DVD player.

Commentary What Massa Could Learn From Ashburn

COMMENTARY: Matthew S. Bajko says Republican California state senator Roy Ashburn deserves praise for coming out of the closet despite his antigay voting record. Now, if only former congressman Eric Massa would follow his lead.

Music The Truth About Tracy and Kim

Don’t be tardy for this party! DJ Tracy Young comes clean — mostly — about her rumored lesbian relationship with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak.

News Kids Say the Darndest Things

Micah Schraft and his boyfriend, John, were filming Micah's family at Thanksgiving when the 5-year-old son of a family friend wanted to know if the two were husbands. The result is a video you have to see.

Commentary The Importance of Being Counted

With benefits from boosting hate-crimes and marriage equality laws to simply letting legislators know gay Americans indeed exist, the 2010 Census is a chance to stand up and be counted.