Adam Lambert OUT Interview Part 2, Plus a Blog From the Author

Loved this, never had an idea that thoughts like this went through his head.

You’ve talked in other interviews about how much falling in love for the first time changes you.
It really does change you, though, you know? But this is only the second relationship I’ve had in my entire life, and I’m 27 years old.

What did you learn about yourself from the end of that first love?
What you realize is that when you fall in love, especially for the first time — the first major relationship that you have where you’re with somebody for a long time — is how much of an impact somebody can have over you. And how much they can shift who you are, both in your own discovery of yourself and how they rub off on you a little bit. That was weird for me. I always thought of myself as extremely independent, and I do have a lot of independence about me. But when it comes to love, I have to fight codependence a little bit. I get a little clingy, I think, and it’s very out of character for me. So it becomes very confusing, because I’m like, wait, I’m usually fine. But all of a sudden, I’m like [waves hands] “Ahhhhh.”

Like it’s easier to walk in and talk business.
Oh yeah. That’s something I actually said to him yesterday. I said, “You know, it’s funny. I’ve figured out a lot about life, and I have a lot of life experience, but I don’t know shit about love.”

What was the wall you hit with him?
Sometimes it’s hard to, like, be a boyfriend for somebody, because you don’t know what that means. What does that mean? Especially if you haven’t been in many relationships. And being in the gay community, we don’t grow up with any role models for that. We don’t know what we’re supposed to be. And I think that’s funny because there’s so much — again, it’s something that’s being evolved out of, but in the gay community there’s so much promiscuity. It’s socially accepted in the gay community to be promiscuous. It’s like, oh, we’re both men, we’re supposed to want to fuck all the time and cheat on each other. And it’s OK, open relationships are fine because we’re all men. And I’m not judging that, but I don’t think that’s for me. I don’t think it’s emotionally healthy.

The Editor from OUT seems like a gay male version of Gloria Steinem. Scream at the top of your lungs and hope the message sticks. Ain’t going to happen. Eventually people get tired of the OTT message and you, not the cause, falls out of favor.

Yuh, the Women’s movement did some good things’ ¦.but I am still not making what my male counterparts do. It takes a hell of a long time to bring about equality’ ¦and for the outspoken to drag everyone into their ‘fight’  is also about inequality. I’m a woman, but have never been interested in the Gloria Steinem movement. I’ll just fight my fight a little at a time’ ¦works best for me. And I think Adam should be given that right, too.

I hope going forward that Adam won’t have to deal with this crap, but I somehow think he will. Clearly he wants to focus on his music and his relationships, and I hope he gets the opportunity to do so.

Yes, the interview was magnificent, really insightfull – i just read part2
Adam seems so honest and vulnerable

Only hate the editor`s letter

Well put Tess…

Personally, I don’t very much doubt the editor’s account. My surprise is that anyone would be surprised at 19 trying to keep it “gay-lite.” Adam, God bless him, is not the first gay Idol. Really, look all the way to season one for that…it’s not the first time 19 has tried to “smother” someone’s individuality to fit what they think, and it won’t be the last.

That said, I wish him all the luck. I hope he is allowed to be himself, whoever that is. End of story.

We Are the Champions’  was a great song choice for the two of you.
It was very cool, and Brian was a sweetheart. Yeah, that felt really good. It felt really like the progression of that — it’s so sad, because Freddie was definitely an idol of mine. His voice, first of all, and his showmanship. Then when you really look at it, he couldn’t be who he was publicly. That was one of the things [we considered] when we decided I should just talk about it in Rolling Stone and just get it out of the way. I just don’t want to live my life trying to hide anything, or putting up a front. I don’t — I will not do that. Too many people have had to do that in the past. It’s just so sad.

Too bad they ruined this interview with their editorial letters. I have bought every magazine Adam was in, but I won’t be buying this one. They should have turned down the chance to have him on the cover instead of caving in and then whining about it.

Shame on 19E if they said that but I have a hard timetotally believing it after hearing the lyrics to some of the songs on the album and of course, the album cover itself.

Adam should only do what he feels comfortable with at this point, because he has already gone farther and made more strides than any entertainer before him in the beginning of their career.

Now back to the other thread I go to listen to what is really important- the music.

That was a really great interview. Adam, in some ways, seems a lot younger than he is to me. Like he’s some kind of child prodigy, only he isn’t a child anymore. I love what he had to say about fidelity and self-respect, though.

And this, along with his comments about the Ford videos, totally cracked me up:

‘No, you can’t sit down. No, you know what, I’m actually trying to eat dinner, can we take a picture another time?’  It’s just about boundaries, and respect. It’s the one thing about being famous that’s difficult to adjust to.

Maybe he should re-work the lyrics to “No Boundaries” and perform it on his tour!

Sorry I’ve got to disagree. While I may not totally agree with the methods OUT used to express their concerns, I think the publicist who looked at the author and said “don’t make it too gay” should be fired. I’m glad he’s being called out and my only complaint is he wasn’t called out by name.

Clearly 19 isn’t doing this to Adam’s face. They know they can’t control what he wants to record or his album cover or he’d flip out on them. But they can go behind his back and try to “ungay” him. For that people should be pissed at the publicist, not the messenger.

I am not one to bother people with emails and tweets, but I just sent the editor my email of disapproval. Hope he gets about 10,000 of them! What a tool!

Niall, they didn’t call the publicist out at all. They called Adam out.

19/RCA maybe manipulating some of Adam’s press for their best interest but Hicklin, Perez, and the journalist are also manipulating the press for their own political and activist gains.

At least 19/RCA is investing in Adam and helping him peruse his dream. What has Hicklin or Perez done for Adam to demand the slightest attention from him?

You know after reading both part 1 and part 2 I am having a hard time now understanding where 19/RCA was trying to push Adam back in the closet. He talks about his relationship with Drake, Talk about being gay and in love and how that is difficult, he talk about the balancing act. Again all I see that 19/RCA wanted was to steer the interview away from Gay politically charged issues. How is that Suppressing Adam’s gayness. All one needs to do is actually read the interview and no suppressing of Adam and him being a gay man trying to make it is evident.

Niall, they didn’t call the publicist out at all. They called Adam out.

I don’t see that at all. I see it as an open letter to Adam “hey dude, look what your team is doing! Do you know? Do you care?” Yeah, some of it came across harsh but the only people I felt were on the hot seat after reading both letters were people who work for 19 and RCA. The “poor Adam, they are so mean to him” stuff is missing the point: Adam’s team may well be going BEHIND HIS BACK with this stuff.

What I do hold Adam accountable for is all this stupid stuff about being bicurious and whatnot. That is so clearly part of the marketing plan and it’s insulting for them to think they have to say stuff like that rather than giving women (and straight men) a little more credit for being able to like him and the music without it.

At least 19/RCA is investing in Adam and helping him peruse his dream. What Hicklin or Perez has done for Adam to demand the slightest attention from him?

Adam is a commodity to 19/RCA, nothing more, nothing less. That’s the only reason they’re helping Adam “pursue his dream.” Not out of any sense of altruism or because they’re patrons of the arts. He’s somebody they can make a boatload of money off. Period. I’m sure Adam knows not to trust them completely, and I doubt he was surprised by the OUT editor’s letter. For all we know, they tipped him off about it before printing it.

Adam’s team may well be going BEHIND HIS BACK with this stuff.

Well, they didn’t succeed when it came to chosing cover, I doubt they will somehow manage to make him gay-lite.

Well, I don’t much care about the Editor’s letter or the behind the scenes crap between Adam’s management and the reporter. Whitewashing someone’s image and attempting to control the “message” are kind of par for the course in Hollywood. It’s a part of the business that I don’t find all that interesting. I guess maybe in this case it gets a little more attention because it’s about a political issue or may be seen as discriminatory, etc.

I found the interview itself very insightful, and I find Adam’s candor quite refreshing. He’s a complex human being, much like the rest of us. People are always trying to put someone in a box or categorize them, but that’s really just an impossible task. People like Adam, who aren’t afraid to be unflinchingly honest remind us of that fact. And I think that’s a good thing.

You know after reading both part 1 and part 2 I am having a hard time now understanding where 19/RCA was trying to push Adam back in the closet.

I think they wanted the reporter to do that in their stead. They couldn’t control the conversation, however, because they weren’t present for the interview. Fortunately the reporter and Adam didn’t bother to abide by the publicist’s outrageous request.

I still can’t believe 19 isn’t full force in support of Adam. Look at the album cover!!!!! To me, that pretty much says it all. $$$ or not (and yes, $$$), if they didn’t think it would sell (which means they wouldn’t make boatloads of money off it), they would NOT have let him come out w/ that cover, the single art, and the video (not to mention what the performance at the AMAs will be like, and they KNOW). Too gay? I call bullshit. This is, IMO, all on Out.

The irony here is that Adam’s 19E handler, Roger Wydonowski, is GAY!!!! Hecklin should have done the professional thing, which was either refuse the interview if he was unhappy with the perameters, or written to Adam’s management instead of publishing an admonishment that exhorts Adam “not to screw up” while at the same time throwing him in a cauldron of bad publicity from his so-called allies in the gay community.

Adam will never please everyone, least of all the gay community. So he might as well just please himself, and if that means not being a poster child for gay rights, so be it.

Niall
11/17/2009 at 1:42 pm

Niall, they didn’t call the publicist out at all. They called Adam out.

I don’t see that at all. I see it as an open letter to Adam ‘hey dude, look what your team is doing! Do you know? Do you care?’  Yeah, some of it came across harsh but the only people I felt were on the hot seat after reading both letters were people who work for 19 and RCA. The ‘poor Adam, they are so mean to him’  stuff is missing the point: Adam’s team may well be going BEHIND HIS BACK with this stuff.

Niall, but to write an open letter for all to read and also state Adam don’t let us down sort of negates your point. Even the opening line of the letter Adam I like I really like you but…is to me condescending and uncalled for. He could have started the letter Dear Adam thank you for the candid interview and where you aware of what the journalist was asked not to do. There is no concern for Adam in this letter or some altruistic approach. If what you say is was the motive then why not contact Adam directly and let him know and then tell him you are going to address this in your magazine. This was done to get publicity and to use Adam as a tool to further an agenda. Wrong in my opinion. As a gay man I do expect this from a business conglomerate not someone from my own community. Yes I am putting a higher standard on Hicklin then I am 19/RCA

All this anger at the paper and the editors! I find it all to be very reasonable and refreshing myself. I applaud Aaron Hicklin for speaking out, after all, people, the magazine is entitled ‘Out’. I would venture a guess that most of the incensed Adam fans here are not gay, and don’t relate to where Hicklin is coming from. As Adam is finding out, if you’re a public figure who is out of the closet, in this particular climate, no matter how much you would prefer your gayness to be a non-issue – it is. And it’s a type of closetness to go along with keeping certain topics off limits and modifying your presentation toward the gay community.

In the long run, the gay community has the potential to be some of his biggest fans. Not so much because of his sexual identity but due to his style of music, fashion, presentation. This tactic by his management team to keep his gayness on a leash is ridiculous. And it is right for any self-respecting gay magazine to call that kind of BS out. Basically, people do not appreciate being played. You cannot go to the gay community saying “I’m Out! I’m Queer! Get Used to it!” and at the same time, have all kind of conditions on how gay Adam can be presented. Puuhhlease! I wonder if Lady Gaga has any such clauses. I tend to doubt it. And the gay community is the heart and soul of her fandom.

In Adam’s case, he’s got all these fierce women fans who came as a result of the show as his current core base. But that will need to change if Adam is going to have a huge successful career. The dance/electronica community is strongly dominated by the gay community. They need those fans but don’t want to lose others. Hey, being outrageous has its costs. You can’t play free, open risk taker without following through on it with all your actions, wherever that may lead. Otherwise it becomes just an act, a facade, and people will see right through it. And that happens to include, in Adams case, how his management team presents him. Now, how much of this is within Adams control, we don’t really know. If there are decisions made by management that Adam has no say over, then having folks like Out magazine put some pressure on them, can only be a good thing for Adam.

So I think its crazy that any fan would refrain from purchasing the magazine just because Hicklin was doing what Adam does, speaking their minds, openly and freely. Maybe, this is all just part of the learning curve thats necessary for the Idol core fans and the gay community potential fans to get to know each other so they can all be one happy fan family.

The ‘poor Adam, they are so mean to him’  stuff is missing the point: Adam’s team may well be going BEHIND HIS BACK with this stuff.

If Adam didn’t expect that kind of thing in an industry built on illusions, then he was being kind of naive. And, I don’t think that is the case at all. I doubt he’s surprised by any of this.

He seems pretty clear on walking the fine line between showy and sincere, so I’m sure he’s aware that there’s also a fine line between letting it all hang out and crafting an image.

His handlers may not always “handle” everything in a politically correct fashion. But, they’re fallible human beings too. They’re also people charged with the task of protecting a billion dollar franchise who are all too familiar with their demographic. Maybe they’re not always going to be as progressive as we like. And surely, they’ll make mistakes. But, I don’t think it makes them evil.

As a gay man and American Idol fan, and someone who really liked Adam on the show (I voted for Kris, but do think Adam is very talented and of course wish both of them great success)…. I have to say that Adam’s branding has been confusing, if not schizophrenic. All of this IMO, and my perspective. First off, I was kind of offended by the Details magazine spread. “I’m gay but I like to kiss women, and I”m all sexy and like to tease you, but I never deny I’m gay and I love that women love me…” and on and on and on. I think this is really poor branding – trying to be all sexual things to all people. Very, very difficult to establish as a new artist. Be gay, be straight, be bi – just be true to yourself and stop trying to project some sort of vague image.

I don’t pin this all on Adam. I see his management and label having a very difficult time in knowing what to do with him. From the double single release to the way he’s promoted (and in many cases, not promoted), to the type of media attention he’s had, I really think things have been made more difficult for him than they needed to be. I also think Adam hasn’t helped himself. I truly believe America is ready for a gay Idol winner or strong runner up – but perhaps not one projecting a confusing image while remaining a bit OTT with that image. Not saying it SHOULD be that way. Just that it just seems to be that way. I do think Americans will buy music for the music – most people don’t care about an artist’s sexual orientation. See Ellen, Melissa Ethridge, Rufus Wainwright. But Adam has made it about more than just the music. He and his management have focused way too much on the image and it just doesn’t feel organic to me. YMMV.

I’m still not giving them my money. Hicklin could have handled this much better.

movin2thabeet
11/17/2009 at 1:58 pm
All this anger at the paper and the editors! I find it all to be very reasonable and refreshing myself. I applaud Aaron Hicklin for speaking out, after all, people, the magazine is entitled ‘Out’. I would venture a guess that most of the incensed Adam fans here are not gay, and don’t relate to where Hicklin is coming from. As Adam is finding out, if you’re a public figure who is out of the closet, in this particular climate, no matter how much you would prefer your gayness to be a non-issue ‘“ it is. And it’s a type of closetness to go along with keeping certain topics off limits and modifying your presentation toward the gay community.

I may be straight, but have publicly advocated for gay rights and marriage equality and have plenty of gay friends. Hicklin did not handle this professionally. I get that he’s advocating for the community, but Adam has asked not to be saddled with that mantle. Hicklin put it on his shoulders anyway. That’s not playing fair. Hicklin should have put his politics aside OR withdrew the offer for the interview. Doing it this way was only to garner publicity for Out and perhaps not the kind he expected.

Very, very difficult to establish as a new artist. Be gay, be straight, be bi ‘“ just be true to yourself and stop trying to project some sort of vague image.

Why assume he’s not being himself? He’s been gay and kissing women long before he was in the spotlight so to tell him to stop now is telling him not to be himself. What I get from this is people want Adam to be this perception of what they want not who he is. Let him be him, why label him.

Niall, but to write an open letter for all to read and also state Adam don’t let us down sort of negates your point. Even the opening line of the letter Adam I like I really like you but’ ¦is to me condescending and uncalled for.

That’s the part I don’t get. Adam is a public figure, of course those in the gay community are going to have expectations of him. No different than fans have expectations of him and express them. It’s up to Adam to sort through those and decide what is and isn’t for him. Adam’s a big boy. I’m not going to pretend I know the issues between those in the gay community better than the editor of OUT or Adam. For me the bottom line is I didn’t find the overall letter, either by the editor or author, to be out of bounds. They are a celeb magazine and he’s a celeb. They have a viewpoint and an editorial opinion and they expressed it. Adam can dispute it or ignore it or agree with it, if he so chooses.

As far as those saying “don’t label Adam, it’s so unfair,” he labeled himself. He’s GAY. Gay, gay, gay. He is not going to date or marry a woman. He is not even going to be intimate with one. He’s not questioning his orientation. He’s gay. All this stuff he’s doing to appeal to females is unnecessary. He can do that simply by BEING, he doesn’t have to go out of his way to tease the possibility. It’s marketing and it says something about their lack of confidence in women and men to simply like Adam for Adam.

I have to say that Adam’s branding has been confusing, if not schizophrenic. All of this IMO, and my perspective. First off, I was kind of offended by the Details magazine spread. ‘I’m gay but I like to kiss women, and I’ m all sexy and like to tease you, but I never deny I’m gay and I love that women love me’ ¦’  and on and on and on. I think this is really poor branding ‘“ trying to be all sexual things to all people. Very, very difficult to establish as a new artist. Be gay, be straight, be bi ‘“ just be true to yourself and stop trying to project some sort of vague image.

Being a gay man myself I respect your opinion here but aren’t you just as bad as others trying to define what being a gay man has to be. Are we a cliche. I ask you who is gayer the gay who likes to dress in women’s clothes or the guy who wears leather, Is the guy who likes Madonna gayer then the guy who likes Bruce Sringsteen. What is it! I myself was curious about women in a cardinal way in my younger years did not make me less of a gay man. I still love woman, love how they look, but as Adam said doesn’t mean I am going to sleep with them. Honestly if I ever did…I would still be GAY! Also Adam is in the Entertainment world. It is about Fantasy, allusion, escape a persona different then who he really is as a person.

Our own rowenaaine, frequent poster here at MJs and blogger-in-chief at Planet Fierce posted a very well-reasoned response to the OUT controversy this morning:

Planet Fierce responds to Aaron Hicklin’s “Open Letter to Adam” http://tinyurl.com/PF111709-HL

Never were truer lyrics spoken:

“You hate the paradox; you put us in a box.”

And therein lies the mystery that is Adam Lambert. He’s a contradiction. Maybe someday people will stop trying to make him fit a mold.

For me the bottom line is I didn’t find the overall letter, either by the editor or author, to be out of bounds. They are a celeb magazine and he’s a celeb. They have a viewpoint and an editorial opinion and they expressed it. Adam can dispute it or ignore it or agree with it, if he so chooses.

I agree with you…at the same time being that Hicklin made it a public letter…we all have the same right to voice our opinion on that editorial. But you have brought up some issues that I find valid that I myself overlooked based on my own personal feelings. Thank you for viewpoint!

Tess
11/17/2009 at 1:22 pm
The Editor from OUT seems like a gay male version of Gloria Steinem. Scream at the top of your lungs and hope the message sticks. Ain’t going to happen. Eventually people get tired of the OTT message and you, not the cause, falls out of favor.

Yuh, the Women’s movement did some good things’ ¦.but I am still not making what my male counterparts do. It takes a hell of a long time to bring about equality’ ¦and for the outspoken to drag everyone into their ‘fight’  is also about inequality. I’m a woman, but have never been interested in the Gloria Steinem movement. I’ll just fight my fight a little at a time’ ¦works best for me. And I think Adam should be given that right, too.

Tess, I had the same reaction. And I am old enough to remember that Gloria Steinem did not help forward the Women’s Movement at all.

Aaron Hichlin did absolute nothing to forward either gay civil rights or build any understanding of the real issues that LBGTs have to deal with.

Adam’s interview, on the other hand, I think might help a few people understand and accept people as they are — not as others think they should be.

My love for Adam just grows every day, it seems. His honesty and vulnerability breaks my heart at times.

That editor has his own agenda, and he’s putting Adam in the middle of it.

Adam needs to stop doing these types of interviews. He’s shared enough of himself with us, more than anyone has a right to ask of him. All he needs to say is that it’s off-topic, but hey, let’s talk about the MUSIC!

AfterElton.com’s editor-in-chief’s take on the OUT magazine editorial:
http://www.afterelton.com/people/2009/11/adam-lambert-aaron-hicklin

And I find Hicklin’s backstabbing of Lambert to be especially dismaying ‘” and either slightly disingenuous or uniformed. After all, Lambert did do the Out cover and gave an interview that by all accounts is remarkably refreshing and candid. To include an Editor’s Letter criticizing him in the same issue not only seems akin to inviting someone to dinner and hitting them in the face with a cream pie at the end, but frankly, also seems suspicious.

And if Hicklin or Out reporter Shana Naomi Krochmal really were bothered by the conditions Lambert’s management placed on their interview, why didn’t they pass? Lord knows I’ve had to do that.

Krochmal released a letter stating how shocked she was that as the publicist took her to meet with Adam that the she requested the interview not be “too gay” or “gay-gay” or to be political. As she should have, Krochmal made no promises as to what she would or wouldn’t ask. But having been in this situation myself ‘” both with straight and gay celebrities ‘” I find all of this amazement over a publicist trying to shape a story to be rather disingenuous.

Thank you AfterElton!

Might I add that the leading and most respected gay publication, The Advocate, has completely ignored Adam. Not even a mention when he won Idol. The current issue finally has a blurb, in their Year in Review Profile section. He didn’t make the front part that has write-ups of gay men & lesbians who made a mark, just the in the Yearbook section on page 90:

June: Adam Lambert is GAY!

and a few lines down:

November: Adam Lambert buy my CD!

That teeny weeny bit of snarky coverage is kind of telling. Or perhaps the Advocate decided to take the high road after encountering similar experiences with 19… and just not give any coverage rather than rant.

Be gay, be straight, be bi ‘“ just be true to yourself and stop trying to project some sort of vague image.

I have to say I have a small amount of insight into the gay community…being a straight male, I was fortunate enough to be raised by my gay father. He in every sense of the matter was 99.9% gay, but there were a few times over the years that he had experiences with women(including the one when he got my mom pregnant with me..lol). He was a hairdresser and because of that had a very large number of female friends, which he hung out with and partied with many times. On a few occasions after a night of heavy partying, there would end up being a girl in his bed the next morning. When I asked him what the hell was going on, he would say, “ya know it just felt good in the moment”…..a moment in time does not change ones sexual preferences…IMO!

The AfterElton.com’s editor-in-chief made some REALLY good points…..

On another note, with the exception of some blogs, I notice no one in the media news outlets are taking this issue on. Either 19 are keeping them quiet or it really is a non-issue which it should be.

Our own rowenaaine, frequent poster here at MJs and blogger-in-chief at Planet Fierce posted a very well-reasoned response to the OUT controversy this morning:

Planet Fierce responds to Aaron Hicklin’s ‘Open Letter to Adam’  http://tinyurl.com/PF111709-HL

Well said rowenaaine. ITA with everything you wrote.

I find all of this amazement over a publicist trying to shape a story to be rather disingenuous.

Yep. It’s what publicists do – it’s in their job description, literally They try to shape stories all day long – if it wasn’t about corralling one’s gayness, it would be about something else. Why so OUTraged, editor-boy?

RemusL
11/17/2009 at 2:23 pm
AfterElton.com’s editor-in-chief’s take on the OUT magazine editorial:
http://www.afterelton.com/people/2009/11/adam-lambert-aaron-hicklin

Yay for afterelton.com! Talk about a reasoned response. Bravo to Michael Jensen. Someone send that link to Adam so he sees there *are* gay publications that support him, or at the very least would have chosen a different tactic (and timing) for their editorial commentary.

Let him be him, why label him.

That’s what I’m trying to say. I get no sense that he’s either being himself, or being allowed to be himself (more the latter). Again, this is my impression, and I’m a lot easier to please than the general public. I think if I don’t feel like I’m getting a sense of who he really is then much of American probably isn’t either. This is all perception and perception is pretty important.

rowenaaine

Well said. I also agree with you.

Standing O for you.

oceanarose
11/17/2009 at 2:27 pm
Our own rowenaaine, frequent poster here at MJs and blogger-in-chief at Planet Fierce posted a very well-reasoned response to the OUT controversy this morning:

Planet Fierce responds to Aaron Hicklin’s ‘Open Letter to Adam’  http://tinyurl.com/PF111709-HL

Well said rowenaaine. ITA with everything you wrote.

Thank you, oceanarose. I was very troubled about this situation before I went to sleep last night and knew I had to put my thoughts down in a coherent, organized manner. Hard to clip it down to a sound bite for MJs, though, so I hope people make their way over to read it. It’s a tough subject, no doubt about it. I just think there were other ways for Out to present their case.

And hopefully, Adam doesn’t give a rat’s ass one way or the other. But once again, he’s damned if he does…damned if he doesn’t. Is it time for the AMAs yet?

It really makes me even madder reading this journalists blog. If she and Hicklin has such a problem with it, they should have personally taken it up with Adam’s management, instead of publishing a “Dear Adam” letter. Of course, that wouldn’t have given them all this free publicity they’re getting.

We’re witnessing a changing of the guard, and it’s bound to overlap a bit in the middle, creating these strange moments where we work with both proudly out stars and their reluctant handlers, sometimes at odd with each other even when they have the same ultimate goals.

The above is a quote from the reporter’s blog. I find it so difficult to believe that they actually believe that the fantasy stated above is true. I still believe what I said last night, that the letter was an attempt to manipulate Adam into a forced choice of being “out” in the way they think he should be out, or being tagged with an assumption that he is weakly allowing himself to be used by people who are thwarting him from really being himself. This forced choice is also false. I think that Adam and his management team are very much on the same page and following the path that Adam indicated he was going to take, from the time that he first “came out” in RS. He is openly gay and proud to be who he is, but his priority is on the music. He doesn’t want to make it about politics. He has said this very clearly. I suppose the “Out” people think they’re being very clever by launching their criticisms to Adam’s management and sideswiping Adam peripherally, but I don’t find it credible that they believe that things aren’t being handled as Adam wishes. They just don’t like it. That’s their prerogative of course, but I don’t respect the way they handled it.

Reminder:

Seriously, I’m going to put posters who attempt to mod the thread into moderation. Please don’t fill up the threads with off-topic nonsense. If you see something you don’t like, SKIP IT.

Scott
11/17/2009 at 2:31 pm
Let him be him, why label him.

That’s what I’m trying to say. I get no sense that he’s either being himself, or being allowed to be himself (more the latter). Again, this is my impression, and I’m a lot easier to please than the general public. I think if I don’t feel like I’m getting a sense of who he really is then much of American probably isn’t either. This is all perception and perception is pretty important.

Scott, that’s why in my “op-ed” piece (link somewhere above) I give a point to Team Out when it comes to the Details spread. I loved the photos and appreciated them for the art that they were – didn’t faze me in the least, nor did I think any woman had a snowball’s chance in hell with him afterward. But I completely get the mixed messages others perceived from it, and perhaps it was a photoshoot better left for a later time when people were more adjusted to who Adam is. It left too many people cold, and so muddied the all-important “image” waters.

It really makes me even madder reading this journalists blog. If she and Hicklin has such a problem with it, they should have personally taken it up with Adam’s management, instead of publishing a ‘Dear Adam’  letter.

Yeah, it is a bit, jeez we didn’t have the integrity to stand up for what we thought was so wrong, and now we feel bad, hey let’s complain about it in the editorial, and put it all on Adams shoulder…

I totally agree that is in their right to do this but it feels a bit covardice to me.

This forced choice is also false. I think that Adam and his management team are very much on the same page and following the path that Adam indicated he was going to take, from the time that he first ‘came out’  in RS.

Well, if they are on the same page, then I’ve lost some respect for Adam. I’m kind of hoping it’s TPTB who have bungled Adam’s image branding. Sure Adam can stand up and protest something he doesn’t like, but I’d like to believe some things are beyond his control. If not, then he’s an accomplice to creating one big ball of confusion. And yes, I understand that many of you think he IS being true to himself and yes, these are my perceptions.

Rowenaaine, yes, yes. Totally agree. Perhaps my point should be that all this is too soon in Adam’s image building and branding. Baby steps. You build the first part of your persona, get your music out there and hit the road. Then you have the luxury of taking another giant step in that image building. Again, should it be this way? No. But that’s the reality when you have an unknown come onto American Idol, kick butt and immediately land a major label contract. You must build the image carefully. And that can include being out as a gay man right from the start. I just don’t think this situation was handled well, and in Adam’s best interest.

I am old enough to remember that Gloria Steinem did not help forward the Women’s Movement at all.

I beg to differ. I am old enough to remember the first wave, although I was an adolescent when it started, and I was and am a direct beneficiary of it. Educated at formerly all male schools, successful in an all male profession — one that a generation before had made one Sandra Day, work as a legal secretary rather than a lawyer when she graduated third in her class from Stanford frakkin Law School. I went to law school with Sonia Sotomayor. Neither of us would have been there ten years earlier.

I appreciate Hinklin’s agenda. But I do think that his letter unnecessarily put enormous pressure on Adam. Gloria Steinem chose to be Gloria Steinem. It is not Adam’s obligation to be the gay equivalent. For me, for you, he’s doing enough just being who he is.

I said this last night: as a woman of color, I’ve sometimes felt pressure from my own community to be more of a symbol than I was prepared to be. It’s not an easy place to exist, and what I went through is infinitesimal compared to the pressure that Adam is under. The fact is that he’s comfortable with his gayness but doesn’t feel the need for it to define everything about him. I don’t think he’s “teasing” people with his “bi-curiosity.” I’ve known gay men and women who had that curiosity — and occasionally acted on it — without being any less gay. Similarily, it is not unheard of for straight men and women to “experiment” with same sex encounters without becoming gay.

If Adam has problems with the way he’s being managed, that is for HIM to work out. Hinklin should just let Adam be Adam. That’s quite enough for me.

Well, if they are on the same page, then I’ve lost some respect for Adam. I’m kind of hoping it’s TPTB who have bungled Adam’s image branding.

The funny thing is that I think the OUT interview gives a very clear picture of who Adam is and what his standpoint is. It’s kind of ironic.

Bravo, rowenaaine!!

And now, to be shallow for just a moment, here is a much better shot of the band:

http://www.planetfierce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=single&action=display&thread=170&page=1

That is one FIERCE band. And very glittery. And they are, in fact, “sure fire winners,” Out be damned.

It is odd that Adam’s team would tell a gay publication not to make him seem too gay……didn’t they see the album cover??

I have to say that Adam’s branding has been confusing, if not schizophrenic. All of this IMO, and my perspective. First off, I was kind of offended by the Details magazine spread. ‘I’m gay but I like to kiss women, and I’ m all sexy and like to tease you, but I never deny I’m gay and I love that women love me’ ¦’  and on and on and on. I think this is really poor branding ‘“ trying to be all sexual things to all people. Very, very difficult to establish as a new artist. Be gay, be straight, be bi ‘“ just be true to yourself and stop trying to project some sort of vague image.

I guess I don’t see Adam’s sexual “branding” as being schizophrenic at all. He has always presented himself as a gay man. He has described his relationships and even his sexual experiences, which have never led me to think he is anything but gay. As far as kissing women, I do know gay men who like to make out with women, and like Adam, typically when they’ve had a few drinks (I can personally attest to this since I have been a participant). And when I was in my 20′s, my friends and I had a lot of discussions about sex, and there certainly was a lot of curiosity about exploring different sexual identities and preferences. Lots of people are curious, especially when they are young like Adam is — just because he says he is curious about what it would be like to have sex with a woman doesn’t mean he will ever act on it or that he isn’t gay.

And why is it odd that Adam would like the attention he gets from female fans? He has said in interviews that he is confused but flattered by it. I’ve never taken that to mean he is sexually turned on by or wants to jump into bed with his female fans. Also, I’m not sure how else he could answer this question –”eww, I’m gay so it’s a turn-off” seems a bit rude.

Sorry, but I just don’t see how Adam projects a vague sexual image. I think he is being true to himself — an openly gay man.

I’m a woman, but have never been interested in the Gloria Steinem movement.

Tess, the movement’s always been interested in you. And as a feminist since 17, when I first learned there was such a thing, so have I. All women’s rights, everywhere.

If you want to fight the battle your own way, more power to you. But why fling mud at pioneers? How does that advance equality?

And maybe I’m misunderstanding, if so apologies. And maybe you’re not dissing feminism in general. It’s that you just don’t like Ms. Steinam, personally. (And think even the abbreviation Ms. unimportant)

But I haven’t read anywhere where Adam’s trashed any pioneers of gay rights. 40th anniversay of Stonewall, and times have changed. But has he said anywhere that he doesn’t appreciate those who helped change them?

Women who fetched coffee and were called the b-word for making too many good biz suggestions, and endured endless unnoticed sacrifice and beratings but who kept on striving, bought and paid for every woman who has made unfettered professional strides in business today. And we all recognize – payscale high among the problems – we have a long way to go still. Especially globally.

YMMV, but it feels like Adam may be saying that some power hungry leaders of old school Gay Rights politics seem to have forgotten the goals and become more interested in their own power structures than actual freedom. Haven’t heard anything from Gloria Steinam recently saying she’s forgotten the goals. Pe-Hil and Hicky seemed to have forgotten the goals. Ego and web hits before freedom.

Adam’s choosing to not have his sexual orientation permanently tattooed in front of his name. He’s arguing for talent first, & gay just something like his eye color – radiant and inborn. This is a radically revolutionary act. Made possible by those who bought and paid for it over the decades.

Gloria Steinam would likely agree with Adam. She would choose plain singer, poet, doctor, lawyer, writer. Without “woman” having to be there first and permanently. Like an asterisk or diminuative. Like feminists everywhere, Gloria Steinam — and may she live to see it–would likely celebrate when a woman running for President is just a candidate. Not a woman first, and a candidate second. Labels gone, fight over.

And what Pe-Hil and Hicky are saying is no, the revolution cannot expand, it has to be gay first and always. Not singer. Gay singer. Permanent label. That Adam has to choose. That Adam can’t live the radical move of eschewing definition.

Adam is doing something impressively revolutionary. Don’t know how much is by design. But it’s exciting. And I’m sure we would all agree: Equality Now. Equality for All. Labels last, freedom first.

ETA: And Q3, as one of your great admirers, not sure why you don’t feel Steinam helped women. Assuming you’re objecting to her, personally, not feminism in general. Maybe we would all choose different ways to woman the ramparts, now.

adorable:

http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2009/11/17/new-photos-insanity-on-the-set-of-adam-lamberts-for-your-entertainment-video/

Well said, Roweaiine, can you send that directly to OUT editor and reporter to make sure they see it– they really should read it and take it to heart.

It is odd that Adam’s team would tell a gay publication not to make him seem too gay’ ¦’ ¦didn’t they see the album cover??

Maybe they are in denial… Well it’s good to know that the cover is good for something, proving that Adam indeed IS gay.

Exhibit A: Glammy album cover.

halfie
11/17/2009 at 2:13 pm

Our own rowenaaine, frequent poster here at MJs and blogger-in-chief at Planet Fierce posted a very well-reasoned response to the OUT controversy this morning:

Planet Fierce responds to Aaron Hicklin’s ‘Open Letter to Adam’  http://tinyurl.com/PF111709-HL

Great response letter Rowenaaine and love the point system…

Rowe, beautiful, thoughtful letter. I couldn’t have said it better. It all just makes me so sad, when Adam is busting his butt to become a viable recording artist. Fortunately, most of his fans see him as an incredible, gifted singer/performer, an intelligent, articulate charming man, who also happens to be drop-dead gorgeous. That’s what we see and all we care about. Who gives a second thought or even gives a damn if he’s gay or straight?

We’re witnessing a changing of the guard, and it’s bound to overlap a bit in the middle, creating these strange moments where we work with both proudly out stars and their reluctant handlers, sometimes at odd with each other even when they have the same ultimate goals.

The above is a quote from the reporter’s blog. I find it so difficult to believe that they actually believe that the fantasy stated above is true. I still believe what I said last night, that the letter was an attempt to manipulate Adam into a forced choice of being ‘out’  in the way they think he should be out, or being tagged with an assumption that he is weakly allowing himself to be used by people who are thwarting him from really being himself. This forced choice is also false.

Well, the thing is, the comments from the magazine reporter are based very precisely on history. If you look at the history of every single rights struggle, there is a period exactly such as she describes — sometimes very long periods — in which there appears to necessarily be a whole lot of struggle, within and outside of the liberation movement, about identities, and who’s with us and who’s against us, and whether the political is the personal or not, and those struggles absolutely take place *among* people who, ultimately, do have the exact same goals. Anybody who remembers the 60s and 70s, for example, should certainly remember endless angst from all sides about who is “black enough,” who’s an “oreo,” who’s “too black,” and so on. ….

I think she wisely points out that this is a historical fact, an apparently necessary phase in these struggles, and anybody who thinks that it can be bypassed is crazy — It’s a hallmark of a time when there’s been *some* achievement (so the reigning powers that be and the great mass of the majority would love to just call the game and say, See! You’ve arrived! It’s all over, and you’ve won!), but the gaining of true equality is still quite far off. And those whose whose struggle it is know that if they let RCA/19 and the rest of the mainstream declare that the struggle is over and the formerly oppressed have now won (Huzza!!), they’ll end up settling for the crumbs that the current power structure is willing to give them — that it’ll turn into “separate but equal” drinking fountains, as it were.

And, sure, *when* things are all said and done, this kind of struggle and identity focus should certainly not be an issue any longer. And everybody should “just be.”

But that’s assuming that the gay rights struggle is all said and done.

Surprise! It’s not even close! Look at what just happened in Maine.

We are very much in the middle of this struggle at this time, and, even though I’m sure he’d rather not be dragged into this inevitable identity stuff as he’s trying to start his music career, and even though I really sympathize with him about that, Adam’s just going to have to face the facts about where we are historically and realize that this phase — painful and ugly-looking as it can be — can’t be avoided. (Frankly, I suspect Adam is quite well aware of that and is a lot less bugged about this whole kerfuffle than his fans are, but who knows?)

Sorry, but I just don’t see how Adam projects a vague sexual image. I think he is being true to himself ‘” an openly gay man.

I agree. There is a difference between gay and being a gay advocate. That seems to be the distinction 19 was trying to make. I see little difference in this and someone like Danny being asked whether he’s going to march on Washington in support of the pro-life movement just because he is “openly Christian.” Being gay is a personal aspect of one’s life. It doesn’t go hand in hand with the political movement surrounding gay rights.

And while Adam is a trailblazer in launching himself as a gay pop star, he’s not the first flamboyantly gay guy in the industry. Anyone hear of Rufus Wainwright? He talks often about the mysteries of his adoring, largely female, fan base. This is par for the course. Don’t over analyze it, just appreciate that you have a fan base at all.

Is the general public really comfortable with a photo shoot of Adam kissing a cute guy? Probably not. How do you get there? You allow the public to get comfortable with all of Adam, the singer, the performer, the human being, the man in search of a relationship and the gay man. That’s all I see 19 doing here.

Hicklin: ‘If the Out 100 has a purpose it’s to challenge the kind of apartheid…

Rowenaaine calling out Hicklin in your OpEd piece about that astounding phrase and usage was so completely right on. Especially, his comparison of living in torturous South Africa to exactly the conditions Out magazine faces in America today.

Does that mean – and no sexism intended – that homophobia created those involuntary hell zones of WeHo and Chelsea? Goodness knows homophobia and the ignorance that causes it is unfortunately still with us. (Though, polls show vastly more in people over 65 than younger.) But that kind of claim next to Hicklin’s huge Mr. Glam Editor over-styled picture is nigh onto some Onion version of this piece.

And if he were accurate – which he is not – undercutting a popular hope for changing that status is prospering Out’s alleged purpose exactly how?

Bravo Rowenaaine. I loved your post.

Thankfully some journalists are sticking up for Adam.
After Elton (great points made here) and another jornalist at
http://www.kelowna.com/2009/11/17/chris-brown-continues-putting-foot-in-mouth/
He writes less but his end quote is this:-
“It’s sad that even when a guy has made the brave choice of coming out, it’s still not enough for some and too much for others.”

How very sad but true.

I’m seriously in tears right now(from the album).maybe I’ll comment later….

6..days…

FifthHouseSun
11/17/2009 at 3:36 pm

My argument is not with the women’s rights movement. I embraced it then and I embrace it now. I just have never connected with the militant, screaming, in your face antics of the few like Gloria. She turned off many more than she turned on…and she was, like the editor of OUT, trying to force other high profile women to march under her banner when they were more interested in fighting the good fight by showing what women were capable of doing…not just scream inequality from the roof tops.

I can remember when no woman was ever considered for any engineering or architectural invitation into graduate school….and now half of those receiving such degrees are women. It wasn’t Gloria who got the first woman in, it was the persistent soul who worked within the system to force the change.

I admire those gays who work from within to gain acceptance…the NPH and the Ellens and the Eltons. They do it by being good at their craft and living a current honorable life. They don’t need to be forced to choose between their career and the cause. So why should Perez or OUT magazine think that Adam needs to do it?

I thought the blogger had a point Andrew Sullivan Adam is not. But I also found Adam to be a little insulting towards women and you could tell he was not a parent when he dismissed the women who complained about the overt sexuality that he displayed on the Idol tour. He would have had more empathy if he was a parent I believe. He IMO came off very self centered. Being a parent in this day and age is very difficult and it is sometimes difficult to navigate the entertainment industry. JMO

ETA: insulting the girl he was with was really in bad taste and hurtful.

Thank you for your post, rowenaaine. I could not have said it any better. I hope someone sends your Out Mag response to Adam so he can read it.

But that’s assuming that the gay rights struggle is all said and done.

Surprise! It’s not even close! Look at what just happened in Maine.

We are very much in the middle of this struggle at this time, and, even though I’m sure he’d rather not be dragged into this inevitable identity stuff as he’s trying to start his music career, and even though I really sympathize with him about that, Adam’s just going to have to face the facts about where we are historically and realize that this phase ‘” painful and ugly-looking as it can be ‘” can’t be avoided. (Frankly, I suspect Adam is quite well aware of that and is a lot less bugged about this whole kerfuffle than his fans are, but who knows?)

You took the words out of my mouth. thank you for your thoughtful and intelligent post.

On a side note, I hope people channel some of this anger towards the right culprit….ignorance in society. Make sure you vote FOR, and not AGAINST gay rights. Make sure that you teach your children homosexuality is normal and not a dirty sin. Make sure you treat all people with love and respect (easier said than done). That’s how we solve the problem. Not be boycotting OUT or writing angry letters to the editor. He didn’t create the problem society (and Adam ) is facing.

I rather focus on the big issue at hand: people I know and love do not have the same rights as other citizens in this country.

Think of what Adam has to deal with in his personal life. He can never be married, he might not be able to have children (by adoption), he cannot hold and kiss his partner’s hand without some people staring or snickering (this is with or without the fame), in some states he wouldn’t have hospital visitation rights to see his partner, and yeah good luck receiving health care benefits from your husband/partner etc etc….that should be what angers and saddens fans. This is the real reason Hicklin is upset.

Although part of Hicklin’s anger was too strongly directed at Adam…..it is an unfortunate time in society. And in the end, Adam should be honored that so many people (gay, bi, trans and straight) look up to him as a role model. He didnt ask for it, but he cant avoid it either. Just own it.

123abc456 Adam does suffer from ‘foot in mouth’ sometimes, it goes along with his open personality. He’ verbal and speaks what’s on his mind no matter what it is. He has a few TMI moments but I do appreciate his openess.

I am so grateful for the many insightful. intelligent and compassionate posts here (FHS, Tess, Rowenaaine and others). I doubt that Adam has time to read much on-line but I truly hope he sees some of these. I was really upset about this earlier and had to actually leave the house and get other things on my mind. I guess this just proves that I am over invested. Heh.
One of the worst outcomes of this would be if his very open, honest, compelling (and even heart-breaking) answers were to fade away unseen by those who could value that peek inside his soul that he’s allowed. THE worst outcome would be if this affected the success of his music. I don’t see that happening, but hell – who knows?

wand3erful, I completely agree with your post. I *do* support gay rights. Strongly. But as you say in your last paragraph, part of Hicklin’s anger was too strongly directed at Adam. And in my opinion, could have either been handled differently or with adjusted timing. It’s not fair to pin the hopes of an entire movement on the lapel of a new artist who has not yet released his music. Let him actually become the star he’s destined to be before holding him accountable for a group’s political expectations.

Let him actually become the star he’s destined to be before holding him accountable for a group’s political expectations.

Exactly. I think that the gist of most of the complaints – at least it’s my biggest complaint.

*do* support gay rights. Strongly. But as you say in your last paragraph, part of Hicklin’s anger was too strongly directed at Adam. And in my opinion, could have either been handled differently or with adjusted timing.

I foresee a future where Hicklin might sit down with Adam….that would be a great PR move on both sides. Maybe they can hug it out: ) However, it won’t be anytime soon as that interview would most likely cover political/everyday issues. Obviously, for the time being, 19 is hesitant to go down that road.

In the meantime, I thank Out, Hicklin, Adam and every fan for getting this much needed conversation started….

The article in After Elton is amazing! He stated every single thought I have had in my head.

On a side note, I hope people channel some of this anger towards the right culprit’ ¦.ignorance in society. Make sure you vote FOR, and not AGAINST gay rights. Make sure that you teach your children homosexuality is normal and not a dirty sin. Make sure you treat all people with love and respect (easier said than done). That’s how we solve the problem. Not be boycotting OUT or writing angry letters to the editor. He didn’t create the problem society (and Adam ) is facing.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

oy…the out thing is starting to get picked up by more media sources…..

Seems like the editor of “Out” was also holding in some anger over being denied access to Adam while the “Idol” season was going on, and everyone who follows “Idol” knows that journalists interviewing the contestants is very rare during the season.

It’s not fair to pin the hopes of an entire movement on the lapel of a new artist who has not yet released his music. Let him actually become the star he’s destined to be before holding him accountable for a group’s political expectations.

I agree, except I would amend that to state – let him decide for himself what role he wishes to assume in the social/political arena. It should be his choice.

And a big shout out to AfterElton and their editor, Michael Jensen. I’ve been a fan of theirs since before Adam and S8. And I’m not surprised by their position or by the majority of the comments from their readers, most of which are supportive.

Hicklin, well, I won’t be thanking him for anything. Won’t be buying the magazine either.

Any of us that have gone through the mind blowing sadness of watching our friends and loved ones dying of aids are only to happy to keep an open mind about the gay movement. I want desperately for gays to have the right to marry and have children, to be able to live as a family unit and prosper.

I know only too well all of the griefs associated with the inequities of the law and how much things need to change. Many of my very conservative Calif. friends have gotten more than an earful from me and the next time marriage comes up for a vote they will be voting “for it”…my guarantee.

Adam tweeted about Hicklin’s open letter and made reference to Rowe’s response. He is thanking her and says, “She gets it.”

Way to go Rowe!!!

I know only too well all of the griefs associated with the inequities of the law and how much things need to change. Many of my very conservative Calif. friends have gotten more than an earful from me and the next time marriage comes up for a vote they will be voting ‘for it’ ’ ¦my guarantee.

Please don’t get me started… this topic makes my blood boil. I’m originally from LA and still have family there. I think the gay community has the right to get divorced just like everyone else. ( Trying to insert some humor before my head blows up. )

rowenaaine, I loved your blog post in response to Hinckin’s open letter, and so did Adam:

adamlambert Planet Fierce responds to A. Hicklin’s “Open Letter to Adam” http://bit.ly/1yTFLP : thank you to the writer! YOU get it.

Bravo!

koshka, ITA. It’s not like straights have done such a bang up job with marriage. How many times has Rush Limbaugh been married? Newt Gingrich?

Holy crap where is Rowe- I just checked Planet Fierce- she is gonna go nuts, lol!

But I also found Adam to be a little insulting towards women and you could tell he was not a parent when he dismissed the women who complained about the overt sexuality that he displayed on the Idol tour. He would have had more empathy if he was a parent I believe.

I noticed this quote too regarding the mother’s comments to him during the tour, and I agree, he doesn’t have a parent’s perspective, and he might have sounded a bit naive. Having children blows your mind out and expands your perspectives in a very powerful way.

That being said, I thought that his comment regarding how children would interpret his mic stand action to be pretty close to the truth. I think that most young children would think he was playing (to the extent that they even noticed anything) and have absolutely no idea what was intended. I think that the viewer has to project the concept of masturbation onto the action; I don’t think the child is going to look at it that way. If the child does project that interpretation onto the action, well, I think that child probably isn’t much of a child any more!!

My 13 year old daughter saw WLL on video more than once and went to the concert, and I don’t think she had a clue based on some of the naive questions she was asking me afterwords about various things that happened during the concert. She didn’t understand the lyrics to WLL and certainly didn’t apply them to the climactic moment of WLL.

The bottom line: Adam is NOT an entertainer for children. He is an entertainer for adults. That’s not going to change. Adam made a very good point in this article that people freak out when a man is being sexual–although women entertainers do it all the time. There’s a double standard here. We’ve almost become numb to all the boobs and half naked women out there “entertaining us.” I love that Adam gives very sexy performances, and I’m glad he enjoys putting himself out there in that way for those of us who enjoy it.

Rowenaaine That was an awesome response to the Out article. I am so proud of you and proud for Adam to have you as a fan. I am thrilled Adam read it and also twatted about it! You rock!

On a side note, I hope people channel some of this anger towards the right culprit’ ¦.ignorance in society. Make sure you vote FOR, and not AGAINST gay rights. Make sure that you teach your children homosexuality is normal and not a dirty sin. Make sure you treat all people with love and respect (easier said than done). That’s how we solve the problem. Not be boycotting OUT or writing angry letters to the editor. He didn’t create the problem society (and Adam ) is facing.

Very well said but Adam is putting out an Album, not running for office or professing to be the next gay messiah. I find it so hypocritical that Hicklin wants Adam to be a leader in gay rights yet where was his support during his run on American Idol. I am a gay man and I can tell you that gay support for Adam was not very high. As what has been said here most of the gay people I know or have talked to (in NYC) were Kris Allen supporters. Mostly because they thought he was cuter. The answer to why these people were not supporting a gay singer who had the potential to win was, just because he is gay does not mean I have to vote for him. Yet now the gay establishment wants Adam to lead a charge (that I agree is important) and they say well he is gay he should. Don’t you see the hypocrisy here. It can be arguably said that Woman got Adam to second place on Idol and are the force behind the opportunities that stand before him. Why shouldn’t he cater to them. Hicklin reacted personally. As you stated there are big problems when it comes to gay rights and inequality. MUCH bigger then a publicist asking not to do or say something. Lets see the articles and fights about the Gay bashing in NYC or the fact that civil right for gay people are aloud to be brought up for vote. You will never erase prejudice or persecution of people for being different. Believe me getting 19/RCA or the publicist to behave in the interest of gay ideals is not going to further our cause or how we are perceived by society. The only person who suffers is Adam. I am sorry I believe any pursuit of a greater good at the sacrifice of an individual make the people doing it no better then the oppressors.

rowenaaine: OMG–way to go on the shout out from Adam!! That is soooo cool. I am beyond happy that he reads the stuff out there that is so supportive of him. This just made my day–your article was great.

OMG Rowe…Thank you, thank you, thank you. Adam thinks yOU get it, also. I am so very proud of you and Planet Fierce.

Congrats to rowenaaine for a great letter and for getting Adam’s attention.

Adam tweeted about Hicklin’s open letter and made reference to Rowe’s response. He is thanking her and says, ‘She gets it.’ 

Way to go Rowe!!!

And he tweeted instructions to Perez on how to get to the response and the site!

BTW, thanks for the eloquent response, Rowe. I’m so happy Adam saw it and understands that you (we) get it.

Proud of you, Rowe! Your editorial was on point. So pleased Adam read it and is passing it along!

Proud of you, Rowe! Your editorial was on point. So pleased Adam read it and is passing it along!

Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU rowenaaine….

Perez asked for a response. Maybe Adam is letting Rowe be his spokesperson! WOW!

adamlambert

1. Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine. 7 minutes ago from Echofon

ETA Aaron who

Another tweet from Adam

Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.

Adam continues: (cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

Way to go Rowe!

I don’t blame Adam for being pissed – the guy could have to talk to him about before turning it into what it is now.

Adam bitch slapped them.. .yesss!

cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.
3 minutes ago from Echofon
Reply Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.

OMA ROWEEEEEEEEE!!! you SO deserve it.seriously you’re one of my favorite posters ever.and that post was just BRILLIANT!!! no wonder HE LIKES IT!!!!

I even dreamed he would a tweet a link to mj’s;it was 2 planet fierce close enough!!!!

Adam ain’t no one’s bitch!

tweet from Adam

Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.

Adam continues: (cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

I love him!!!!!!…..um… in the gay brotherly love kind of way!!!

Adam continues: (cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

Ah, I love to see people stick up for themselves. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I believe Adam is truly a person of fine character. He doesn’t confuse me at all. He makes his feelings and his objectives pretty f*cking clear.

Reply Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.
cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.
3 minutes ago from Echofon

Oh Shnaaaaaaap!

Adam continues: (cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

(happily clapping) you go my boy!!!

Adam has the Balls, man! This is the best use of twitter as a social network. OUT used it’s media power to get it’s point across and now several thousand tweeters will make sure that Adam’s answer is also given voice. No longer can the media hide behind the glossy pages of its mag…or the insularity of its web site. I’m impressed!

Way to kick some serious butt, Adam!!

Adam has stones of steel. Excellent.

rowenaaine awesome response. You nailed it and I think Adam is happy that you were able to put into words what he wanted to say.

jambajim

1. I love that @adamlambert is like Kandi from RH of Atlanta. “I fly above all the haters!” YES! Those Tweets were AMAZING. [Raises his fist.]

Heh, even Jim approves.

jambajim I love that @adamlambert is like Kandi from RH of Atlanta. “I fly above all the haters!” YES! Those Tweets were AMAZING. [Raises his fist.]

I absolutely adore this man!

I just saw Adam’s tweets and laughed out loud! Double snaps!!!!! He has brass balls, for sure

Like this one too!

shananaomi: @adamlambert touch. thanks for your candor & for boldly being your bad-ass self. (& for this amazing album. well done.)
half a minute ago from Tweetie in reply to adamlambert

Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.
3 minutes ago from Echofon

Love Adam’s response:)

shananaomi: @adamlambert touch. thanks for your candor & for boldly being your bad-ass self. (& for this amazing album. well done.)
half a minute ago from Tweetie in reply to adamlambert

Isn’t this the blogger? The interviewer?

Wow Adam Lambert went to Planet Fierce. Where I am a member. :::::looking back at my posts::::: Naah, nothing embarassing, just a whole lotta squeeeing and flailing, he sees that all the time!

Rowe, what a great response to Aaron and I’m so glad that Adam got to see it and KNOW that you get it!

shananaomi: @adamlambert touch. thanks for your candor & for boldly being your bad-ass self. (& for this amazing album. well done.)
half a minute ago from Tweetie in reply to adamlambert

Touche????? WTF these people act like this is a tit for tat fight. Seems like this persons ass kissing is a little late IMO!

Adam has the Balls, man! This is the best use of twitter as a social network. OUT used it’s media power to get it’s point across and now several thousand tweeters will make sure that Adam’s answer is also given voice. No longer can the media hide behind the glossy pages of its mag’ ¦or the insularity of its web site. I’m impressed!

Very good point, Tess. It was two snaps at once. I’ll see your old school web site and take control the new fangled way.

And Pe-Hil likes to think he’s Mr. Tweet, too.

Yeah, I am confused too… unless she was made to write that blog to explain the editors position? I don’t really get it.

Shana’s response to Adam – I like this woman.

@adamlambert touch. thanks for your candor & for boldly being your bad-ass self. (& for this amazing album. well done.)

I wonder if Aaron will respond.

I must say the interview was the best Adam interview I have ever read, so I guess I have to like her too!

CindyM
11/17/2009 at 5:56 pm
Wow Adam Lambert went to Planet Fierce. Where I am a member. :::::looking back at my posts::::: Naah, nothing embarassing, just a little squeeeing and flailing, he sees that all the time!

Rowe, what a great response to Aaron and I’m so glad that Adam got to see it and KNOW that you get it!

Except if he happened to sneak into chat. He may get a little red-faced (in a really good way), or not.

Not only is Adam’s music new, his take on life in general is VERY modern and how alot of young people feel.

Noone should be any one way.
Noone should only be how others think they should be/act/behave.

I love that Adam is only responsible for Adam. He takes ownership of his actions, his words and his art.

Everything else shouldn’t matter, I know it does I’m not an idot, but I really admire Adam for sticking to only what he want’s himself to be.

Bravo Adam!

I think it’s 19 speaking, not Lambert.

I thought the blogger had a point Andrew Sullivan Adam is not. But I also found Adam to be a little insulting towards women and you could tell he was not a parent when he dismissed the women who complained about the overt sexuality that he displayed on the Idol tour. He would have had more empathy if he was a parent I believe. He IMO came off very self centered. Being a parent in this day and age is very difficult and it is sometimes difficult to navigate the entertainment industry. JMO

Nope not just your opinion. He came off as rather rude in that situation. There was no need for that.

All the rest here today is just way, way, WAY too political for me.

Hopefully, Adam’ tweets and brilliantly epic smackdown will allow us all to put this matter to rest and focus on the fuckin’ MUSIC AGAIN!!!!

Adam is my hero – not only do we have the freakishly rare combination of Creative Genius and Vocal Virtuosity all rolled (and rocked) up into one stunning package, he’s also a highly intelligent master of the smackdown. Adam, it’s time to forget all this and go ROCK YOUR ASS OFF!!!!

http://perezhilton.com/2009-11-17-glambert-responds-to-out-controversy

anthrogeek
11/17/2009 at 6:12 pm

Hopefully, Adam’ tweets and brilliantly epic smackdown will allow us all to put this matter to rest and focus on the fuckin’ MUSIC AGAIN!!!!

I agree because Adam has definitely got me to want to listen to Music Again!!!

rowenaaine, congrats on your well thought out and articulate response to the editor in chief. I’m thrilled that Adam saw, acknowledged and validated your letter’s sentiments.

I’m so pleased that Adam also responded directly to the editor’s letter, @adamlambert‘s response illustrates just what a smart, independent and strong individual he is. Love you, Adam, for exactly who you are.

Adam’s parents must be so proud of him. Job well done mom and dad.

rowenaaine, just wanted to day how awesome your blog was and how awesome that Adam read it! Most excellent!

ETA: Love Adam’s 140 character response to Mr. Hicklin!

OMG! I had to leave after I posted earlier that someone should send Adam ‘rowenaaine’s’ open letter to Out Mag and I come back and see that Adam saw it and responded to it! Way to go Rowenaaine and I’m so glad Adam answered Aaron and basically told him he runs his life….nobody else! So proud that you aren’t afraid to stay ‘true to yourself’!

Now I’m going back to listen to Adam’s album.

I LOVED Adam’s response! Nothing else has to be said!!

http://perezhilton.com/2009-11-17-glambert-responds-to-out-controversy

Looks like the majority of PH’s fans are siding with Out and saying they will not purchase FYE as a result. Hopefully that is just an excuse and they never would have in the first place.

Looks like the majority of PH’s fans are siding with Out and saying they will not purchase FYE as a result. Hopefully that is just an excuse and they never would have in the first place.

I’m sure it is just an excuse. Adam didn’t do anything to deserve anyone’s wrath.

Most of the posters on Perez’s site are incapable dudes with little dicks who couldn’t satisfy a tweety bird. They are so jealous of Adam that they can’t see straight much less give out any kind of kudos….much like Perez himself (wonder if he can even find his equipment under that stomach role). Wash my mouth out with a Red Menage a Tois…or maybe I’ll opt for the white tonight (great Wine, by the way).

Was Perez being his usual, childish, petulant self? Did he help those who commented on his blog, to come to an anti-Adam stance? Or not. He isn’t always an ass … just most of the time … and I refuse to give his site even one more hit.

Wow, rowenaaine — just WOW!!!!

Being the middle school English teacher that I am, I tend to read all sorts of articles with a critical eye. I spend so much time correcting essays that I tend to address everything I read with a letter grade.
You receive an A++++++++

Thank you for writing this on behalf of all of us here at MJ’s!

Wow, rowenaaine ‘” just WOW!!!!

Being the middle school English teacher that I am, I tend to read all sorts of articles with a critical eye. I spend so much time correcting essays that I tend to address everything I read with a letter grade.
You receive an A++++++++

ditto

Sometimes it’s a bad habit but not when it helps you to spot a really good argument …

I feel really bad for Adam. He’s being attacked by both bigots and the gay community. He’s getting hammered from all sides. I think all this may wind up destroying him but I sure hope not.

In light of his album cover I have to laugh at the idea that 19 is so concerned about him appearing “too gay”. When that cover came out people complained that he’d lose sales by looking too gay and now people are complaining he isn’t gay enough. People are always complaining and picking at Adam about something. I’ve been guilty of this myself but it’s all getting to be too much.

You couldn’t pay me to carry around this weight they’ve put on his shoulders. I’m not sure what right they have to put it there in the first place. How can you simultaneously stab someone in the back and say you’re counting on them?

Most of the posters on Perez’s site are incapable dudes with little dicks who couldn’t satisfy a tweety bird. They are so jealous of Adam that they can’t see straight much less give out any kind of kudos’ ¦.much like Perez himself (wonder if he can even find his equipment under that stomach role). Wash my mouth out with a Red Menage a Tois’ ¦or maybe I’ll opt for the white tonight (great Wine, by the way).

LOL — Love you, Tess!

Being the middle school English teacher that I am, I tend to read all sorts of articles with a critical eye. I spend so much time correcting essays that I tend to address everything I read with a letter grade.
You receive an A++++++++

hey Rowe(wink) do ya mind if I use that for my next English report? heh.I kid because I love.

i have to say it again ;that was brilliant !!!

and my brain is still too fried to talk about fye…maybe in few hours(and I’ve only listened once)

The only person who suffers is Adam. I am sorry I believe any pursuit of a greater good at the sacrifice of an individual make the people doing it no better then the oppressors.

Agree and thank you dhunken I have enjoyed your posts.

Kudos to Adam (those were indeed Adam’s tweets not 19′s, after it isn’t the first time he stood up for himself so it’s not like a big surprise or out of character); your fans are behind you.

And people still think people choose to be gay and put up with all this crap? It’s just who they are.

Meanwhile, PeHil did not post the tweet with link to Planet Fierce OpEd. The fact that rowenaaine‘s OpEd pulverized Out, and Tess‘s spot-on description of him, merely coincidental.

The Advocate published all the tweets, but didn’t reprint the active link. Just a pic you can’t link on to connect. Advocate owned by Out media parent company.

Tess
11/17/2009 at 6:58 pm
Most of the posters on Perez’s site are incapable dudes with little dicks who couldn’t satisfy a tweety bird. They are so jealous of Adam that they can’t see straight much less give out any kind of kudos’ ¦.much like Perez himself (wonder if he can even find his equipment under that stomach role). Wash my mouth out with a Red Menage a Tois’ ¦or maybe I’ll opt for the white tonight (great Wine, by the way).

Bwahh! I really should not have read this post with a glass of water in hand. Just gave my computer screen a bath, but it was worth it. Will never again look at Perez without chuckling about stomach rolls and tweety birds. Thanks!!!!! (exclamation points per Mr. Lambert)

This has probably already been posted here but couldn’t hurt to do it again….LOL!

@aaronhicklin

It’s tough when 10 billion Glambert fans hate you.
about 4 hours ago from web

I genuinely loved this article…no fluff, no bullshit just Adam in all his honest glory. I respect him so much as an artist and its so nice to be able to respect and admire him as a person too. Adam you are awesome!!! Dont ever change. We heart you ))

Kanadie Bonttell
11/17/2009 at 7:31 pm

This has probably already been posted here but couldn’t hurt to do it again’ ¦.LOL!

@aaronhicklin

It’s tough when 10 billion Glambert fans hate you.

Oh frigging boo hoo….. By the way I don’t hate you Mr. Hicklin that would indicate that you matter to me. Question: Is this guy related to Rickey!

It’s tough when 10 billion Glambert fans hate you.
about 4 hours ago from web

lmaoooo

Perez did not diss Adam’s response. The ppl that comment on his blog are the nasty ones (most of them) I think Perez is a fan but like the editor of OUT he has his own agenda and Im not sure hes a fan and giving him so much attention because of the music but I still understand where hes coming from. Adam gave a great response.
Gonna listen to the music now

The sad part about this whole OUT fiasco is that the interview was totally awesome and was really nice for his fans and gave us a nice indepth perspective of the man and the artist and for many a look into the gay community they know little or nothing about.

And then a few bad choices by an Editor with an agenda turned something really nice into something that just left a bad taste in your mouth…and the biggest loosers are the fans who would have learned a lot more and the gay community who would have had a chance to impress an untapped new advocacy group. Just sad!!

I just read Adam’s response to Hicklin, and I take back what I said in the album stream thread. I wouldn’t buy one of his songs if he put a gun to my head. IT’S NOT THAT DEEP?! Are you fucking kidding me? Can you get anymore passive aggressive and entitled?

That boy needs a history lesson, and swift kick in the pants. STAT!

He has no idea what the hell Hicklin was saying, and it wasn’t that hard to understand. I just thought he was immature and lacked self awareness, but he’s just a shallow queen, and I’ve met enough of those in my life that I don’t need another one.

The only person begging for publicity in that tweet was Adam, and this is not the kind he wanted. Way to alienate your gay and gay friendly fans, idiot.

Can I just say…I’m here at the hockey game and thought I’d pop in and see what’s cooking on MJs. Oh my! Currently speechless. Used up all my verbosity for the day, I guess. Thank you Adam. and thanks to all that tweeted him the link. I’m glad he understands that he truly does have support.

Bring on the AMAs! It’s time to show ‘em watcha got!

What I like about Adam is that he isn’t letting other people define him. He doesn’t have to answer to anyone but himself. Thats how we all should be.

I’m sure Adam talked to his publicist to get their side of the story, but it will be done in private where it should be. I definitely love his twitter responses.

Regarding Perez, he wants everyone to be the poster boy for the gay rights movement. lol I think Adam’s nonchalant attitude about it always bugged him. Adam just wants to entertain and people should let him do that.

I can’t edit but – erinnthered, I couldn’t disagree with you more.

I don’t know. I think the guy had a point about Adam’s management’s over-handling. There’s something pretty obnoxious about telling a gay magazine not to present your client as “too gay”. Huh?

I am also a little uncomfortable when people outside a community start telling people in a community how to think and feel. Especially when one is more powerful than the other. Just my opinion, I know I might be alone on that one.

I think this whole conversation of what images you want to project and the pursuit of mainstream acceptance, what that means in terms of identity… all that stuff pretty common among marginalized groups fighting for their rights. The Out editor and Musto aren’t saying anything that hasn’t been said a thousand times before among multiple communities.

I’m not taking sides on the issue, but the whole “let’s judge the gay community and curse out the big gay boogieman” thing just makes me squirm.

erinthered, the man just wants to sing. I think that’s all he meant. It was a kneejerk reaction to Out’s ridiculous editorial. He is feeling defensive and rightfully so. This is the most important weekend of his life. He has to be a little “road weary.”

I am also a little uncomfortable when people outside a community start telling people in a community how to think and feel.

Its even more uncomfortable for me when people inside that same community start telling people in that same community how to think and feel. Its always worse when its from your own.

Bring on the AMAs! It’s time to show ‘em watcha got!

Oh yeah — This is what it is all about, bb!!!

Can you get anymore passive aggressive and entitled?

Exactly how is it Adam acting entitled? Aaron was the one that seemed to think it’s Adam’s responsibility to start waving the rainbow flag and be in your face to the world to further his agenda. Really, when have such fanatics for any cause been actually successful? You really think you can convert people by being as rude and offensive as possible or completely out of touch to the point the audience can’t relate to you?

Way to alienate your gay and gay friendly fans, idiot.

Didn’t alienate me, and I’m gay. In fact, there seems to be a lot of gay and straight fans supporting him, not OUT in this matter. Why not skip on over to AfterElton and see just how much he’s “alienated” the gay fans.

erinnthered
11/17/2009 at 7:47 pm

I just read Adam’s response to Hicklin, and I take back what I said in the album stream thread. I wouldn’t buy one of his songs if he put a gun to my head. IT’S NOT THAT DEEP?! Are you fucking kidding me? Can you get anymore passive aggressive and entitled?

That boy needs a history lesson, and swift kick in the pants. STAT!

He has no idea what the hell Hicklin was saying, and it wasn’t that hard to understand. I just thought he was immature and lacked self awareness, but he’s just a shallow queen, and I’ve met enough of those in my life that I don’t need another one.

The only person begging for publicity in that tweet was Adam, and this is not the kind he wanted. Way to alienate your gay and gay friendly fans, idiot.

HUH?….well as a gay person he did not alienate me whatsoever. And if you can surmise from a tweet that is 140 characters at best that a person is shallow queen and begging for publicity and disregard a in-depth 2 part article that is in direct contrast to that assessment then can you please give me the winning numbers to the lottery tonight.

Its even more uncomfortable for me when people inside that same community start telling people in that same community how to think and feel. Its always worse when its from your own.

And to me, that’s their conversation to have. They have to work their shit out. I’m not the one getting beat up for being gay, can’t marry the love of my life, etc. So who am I to tell him what should offend him or not? I ain’t him, just like I don’t want Rush Limbaugh telling me how to be Black.

“Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.

This is the person everyone shrilly yells about being so articulate and intelligent? Sorry, not seeing it. There were a lot of ways to respond to the editor, and chill it’s not that deep is certainly not the best. Adam, if someone asked a magazine to not make me appear “too black” I think I would not be chill about, I would in fact think it was “deep”. Of course, this is in no way justifying the editor of Out, he was in the wrong, but this certainly reinforces my belief that Adam is a flake.

This has probably already been posted here but couldn’t hurt to do it again’ ¦.LOL!
@aaronhicklin It’s tough when 10 billion Glambert fans hate you.

And those fans will buy Adam’s album! But not your magazine.

gangreen29
11/17/2009 at 7:58 pm

‘Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.

This is the person everyone shrilly yells about being so articulate and intelligent? Sorry, not seeing it. There were a lot of ways to respond to the editor, and chill it’s not that deep is certainly not the best. Adam, if someone asked a magazine to not make me appear ‘too black’  I think I would not be chill about, I would in fact think it was ‘deep’ . Of course, this is in no way justifying the editor of Out, he was in the wrong, but this certainly reinforces my belief that Adam is a flake.

Conviently you left out the second part of his tweet which is:

Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

Which I find to be very mature and in essence is identifying that it is deep but maybe not for public consumption.

tinawina
11/17/2009 at 7:51 pm
I’m not taking sides on the issue, but the whole ‘let’s judge the gay community and curse out the big gay boogieman’  thing just makes me squirm.

I don’t think anyone here is judging the “gay community”; many of us are just criticizing the actions of one magazine editor who happens to be gay. Also, some people agree at least in part with Mr. Hicklin’s POV. Have you read Rowenaaine’s commentary on Plant Fierce? It sums up the situation very well — well worth the read.

Also, just because I’m not gay doesn’t mean I can’t have a POV on this. Following that logic, I shouldn’t be able to comment on anything that doesn’t affect straight women in their 40′s who live in California.

I can’t edit but ‘“ erinnthered, I couldn’t disagree with you more.

When you can barely count on two hands the number of people in your life that have died from HIV related illness, and have been witness to some of the stupid prejudice I have, you would not.

If you personally knew people who have to live in the closet just to be successful actors because the truth is the industry hasn’t changed as much as they want you to think it has, you would not disagree with me one bit.

That boy has no idea how good he has it.

Hicklin wasn’t even talking about Adam, and that was clear, but he just had to give his standard little response to everything. “It’s not that deep.” If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard some uneducated little gay boy utter that phrase about something that was actually important I could buy a night at the Chateau Mormont.

The fact that the passive aggressiveness of his response is flying over your head just shows ho blind you are in your love for him.

Go ahead, be blind. Enjoy him. I won’t, and neither will a lot of the people he was trying to attract with his album.

I am shaking with rage….flames…on the side of my face….GAH!

He has no idea what the hell Hicklin was saying, and it wasn’t that hard to understand. I just thought he was immature and lacked self awareness, but he’s just a shallow queen, and I’ve met enough of those in my life that I don’t need another one.

Talk about stereotyping someone. Did you read the article he tweeted prior to this tweet?? One that eloquently took a look at the whole situation? One that was definitely longer than 140 characters? Did you look at the subsequent tweet..or just the first part??

Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.
about 3 hours ago from Echofon

(cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.
about 3 hours ago from Echofon

The fact that you referred to Adam as a “shallow queen” certainly displays your biases towards Adam well. Thanks, good to know. The fact that you now post about your “close association” with people in the gay community who have been maligned seems rather at odds with your stereotypical insult.

If you personally knew people who have to live in the closet just to be successful actors because the truth is the industry hasn’t changed as much as they want you to think it has, you would not disagree with me one bit.

That boy has no idea how good he has it.

Well, I personally know teenagers who have to hide who they are from their school and parents. I know two who have attempted suicide. But, I don’t profess to understand Adam or gay men just because I know several gay guys and have seen their struggles. I can witness it, but I haven’t lived it.

“The boy” has lived his life as a gay teen and man. I’m sure that unless we have walked in his shoes, there is no way to understand the hate and discrimination he has had to face in his short life.

I ain’t him, just like I don’t want Rush Limbaugh telling me how to be Black

As a black woman I don’t want Al Sharpton telling me how to be Black either….

erinthered ‘“ correct me if I am wrong but I think it was you who suggested in an earlier thread that ‘adam should be relegated to performing in bathhouses. his fans are delusional and will soon see the writing on the wall’ .. Has this type of thinking factored into your response any

Nice try.

I said his kind of show started out in bathhouses and clubs, and that is where you usually see those kinds of club acts. The person was insistent that absolutely Adam needed to be in huge venues in order to pull off his act, and I was pointing out that’s not necessarily so, and that you could enjoy him just as well in those places where you would usually see them.

GaGa played plenty of them, so has every other club act there is. It’s not an insult, and it just goes to show how little you understand.

Also, never said anyone’s were delusional. Not ever. Go look for it. Won’t find it. I don’t think anyone’s personal opinon about music is delusional. I do think your ignorance of how shallow his statement is might be.

I honestly don’t think many of you would recognize an actual homophobe if one hit you over the head with 1,000 ACME anvil.

Go read my review of his album and then tell me how much my anger is related to my hatred of Adam instead of how shallow and hateful his statement on Twitter actually was.

When you can barely count on two hands the number of people in your life that have died from HIV related illness, and have been witness to some of the stupid prejudice I have, you would not.

I’m sorry for the losses you have suffered but that chip on your shoulder is not helping your cause.

If you personally knew people who have to live in the closet just to be successful actors because the truth is the industry hasn’t changed as much as they want you to think it has, you would not disagree with me one bit.

Sorry? Adam isn’t living in the closet so what exactly is your point? are you pissed because he’s NOT in the closet while those you’ve known haven’t known that freedom? seems so based on your next remark

That boy has no idea how good he has it.

Bet they said the same thing to the blacks when they were allowed to sit at the lunch counters too *eye roll*

Hicklin wasn’t even talking about Adam, and that was clear, but he just had to give his standard little response to everything. ‘It’s not that deep.’  If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard some uneducated little gay boy utter that phrase about something that was actually important I could buy a night at the Chateau Mormont.

Hicklin addressed his letter TO adam, not adam’s management but ADAM personally. It seems to me you’re showing serious resentment for those young gay men of today who are living openly and freely and really don’t think being gay is that big ofa deal in the grand scheme of things. Not every gay self indentifies first and foremost as GAY. For SOME it’s just part of them…like hair color or eye color or whatever.

The fact that the passive aggressiveness of his response is flying over your head just shows ho blind you are in your love for him.

there was nothing passive in Adam’s aggressiveness. Go back and read it again.. He was very clear in his aggressiveness and I applaud him for it. People need to stop thinking they can talk shit about this guy and get away with it. He’s not your typical empty headed celebrity who will just sit on his thumbs and ignore that stuff. He’s ready, willing and clearly able to articulate a defense of his own.

Go ahead, be blind. Enjoy him. I won’t, and neither will a lot of the people he was trying to attract with his album.

WHO exactly do you think Adam was trying to attract with his album? MUSIC LOVERS? you’re right.. why would someone who loves music STILL love good music because some asshat editor decided to get his short ones in a twist and then the person he decided to attack responded. OMG that is just outrageous.

edit

erinnthered
11/17/2009 at 8:05 pm

I can’t edit but ‘“ erinnthered, I couldn’t disagree with you more.

When you can barely count on two hands the number of people in your life that have died from HIV related illness, and have been witness to some of the stupid prejudice I have, you would not.

If you personally knew people who have to live in the closet just to be successful actors because the truth is the industry hasn’t changed as much as they want you to think it has, you would not disagree with me one bit.

That boy has no idea how good he has it.

Hicklin wasn’t even talking about Adam, and that was clear, but he just had to give his standard little response to everything. ‘It’s not that deep.’  If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard some uneducated little gay boy utter that phrase about something that was actually important I could buy a night at the Chateau Mormont.

The fact that the passive aggressiveness of his response is flying over your head just shows ho blind you are in your love for him.

Go ahead, be blind. Enjoy him. I won’t, and neither will a lot of the people he was trying to attract with his album.

I am shaking with rage’ ¦.flames’ ¦on the side of my face’ ¦.GAH!

With all due respect I can’t count on two hands the people I have know who have died of aids because it is a hell of a lot more then that. I have been witnessed to prejudice beyond comprehension. However I don’t feel that Adam is responsible to correct all that injustice.

You say that people are blinded by their love for Adam… maybe you are blinded by your anger of the horrible things you have faced in your life. I am sorry for your troubles…but your are not the only person who has had tough situations. Adam is not responsible to cure the ills of the gay community. Though I am rather impressed that you and Hicklin seem to think he has that kind of power…I don’t even put him on that high of a pedestal.

Adam being gay does not = to you being black, sorry’ ¦..

really A bank gets rob the police and the teller are outside.The teller pionts to 2 man and says there he is.1 gay looking man and 1 black man.Who do the police tell get on the ground first.
Really it is that deep.

Go ahead, be blind. Enjoy him. I won’t, and neither will a lot of the people he was trying to attract with his album.

See, I’m thinking Adam never was going to attract those people who would call him a “shallow queen” or suggest he perform in bathhouses. He probably learned a VERY LONG time ago that you can’t compromise yourself to try and please others. It’s not healthy. You learn lessons like this when you mature and become self-aware.
I’m very proud of Adam.

This is the person everyone shrilly yells about being so articulate and intelligent? Sorry, not seeing it. There were a lot of ways to respond to the editor, and chill it’s not that deep is certainly not the best. Adam, if someone asked a magazine to not make me appear ‘too black’  I think I would not be chill about, I would in fact think it was ‘deep’ . Of course, this is in no way justifying the editor of Out, he was in the wrong, but this certainly reinforces my belief that Adam is a flake.

Not sure on what basis Adam is “a flake”. What does that even mean? Did you read the second half of his Twitter message?

Adam via Twitter: Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

Basically, Aaron Hicklin should have directly addressed Adam with the concerns he raised in the editorial rather than stabbing him in the back with a thinly-disguised “open letter” filled with backhanded compliments for Adam and grievances against Adam’s handlers. Remember, this is the same issue of OUT magazine that hailed Adam as “Breakout of the Year” and featured one of his most candid and in-depth interviews with a wide-ranging discussion of his life as an openly gay man. I thought Hicklin’s editorial was thoroughly unprofessional. But don’t take my word for it. The editor-in-chief of gay culture site AfterElton.com seems to agree:

And I find Hicklin’s backstabbing of Lambert to be especially dismaying ‘” and either slightly disingenuous or uniformed. After all, Lambert did do the Out cover and gave an interview that by all accounts is remarkably refreshing and candid. To include an Editor’s Letter criticizing him in the same issue not only seems akin to inviting someone to dinner and hitting them in the face with a cream pie at the end, but frankly, also seems suspicious.

I don’t think anyone here is judging the ‘gay community’ ; many of us are just criticizing the actions of one magazine editor who happens to be gay. Also, some people agree at least in part with Mr. Hicklin’s POV. Have you read Rowenaaine’s commentary on Plant Fierce? It sums up the situation very well ‘” well worth the read.

Also, just because I’m not gay doesn’t mean I can’t have a POV on this. Following that logic, I shouldn’t be able to comment on anything that doesn’t affect straight women in their 40′s who live in California.

LOL. No, I think there’s a difference between having an opinion and going out on a full on attack, burning the guy at the stake.

I saw a whole lot of blanket statments being made yesterday, so much so that it made me step away from the thread because I started to feel a bit icky about it.

But like I said, that’s me.

really A bank gets rob the police and the teller are outside.The teller pionts to 2 man and says there he is.1 gay looking man and 1 black man.Who do the police tell get on the ground first.
Really it is that deep.

what? sorry, that made ZERO sense to me.

To look at Adam you can’t immediately TELL he’s gay.. you can look at a black person and you can’t escape the black. Blacks have had far worse struggles in this country than gays. Sorry they do not equal each other at all.

is Adam now also carrying the mantel for blacks too? just curious where his burden ends exactly since all he wants to do is sing.

With all due respect I can’t count on two hands the people I have know who have died of aids because it is a hell of a lot more then that. I have been witnessed to prejudice beyond comprehension. However I don’t feel that Adam is responsible to correct all that injustice

.

Never said he was resposible for any of it. Read my original response again.

I was pointing out haw most of the people in this thread only became activists because of their love for Adam, and that maybe calling out someone for seeing this differently might change if they had a different background. Just look at the number of people trying to insinuate I’m a homophobe.

Adam’s response was shallow, and dismissive, and ridiculous. He is ignorant to what Hicklin was talking about, and clearly couldn’t care less if his own management were living in 1987. That is a problem for me. Period.

Looks like Adam uses the line ‘it’s not that deep’ whenever he’s in defense mode which he seems to find himself in frequently. Again I’ll say that whether you or Adam like it or not, being an out gay celebrity in this culture is a political act. I understand that Adam isn’t interested in being a gay rights spokesperson. But if he wants the exposure that gay journals provides, he has to accommodate their needs as well. While Adam has his own lines about how he wants to present himself and what he wants to talk about, the magazine also has their lines about what the readers want to hear. For someone who markets himself as an free, independent, uninhibited gay artist to be ok with not appearing solo on the cover of a gay journal is simply glaringly inconsistent with how he’s presenting himself, hence the editorial by Aaron Hicklin.

I know many fans here don’t really care if Adam reaches out to the gay community or not, but I would argue that it is an essential element for Adam’s future success. Not only is it downright weird for a self-expressed gay man to not reach out to the gay community, but also his music, style and fashion sense are right in the gay wheelhouse. Having the initial connection to the gay media start so clearly loaded with attached strings is something I’m sure the readers are now hyper aware of. Whether you like it or not, gay pride is still an energizing principle for many in the community, and this kind of rubs the wrong way.

By railing against the editor of the ‘Out’ magazine, Adam’s fans are proving that 1. they have inherited many of the annoying and detrimental traits of the Claymates, and 2. they’re not able to understand the perspectives of this community. After all, ‘Out’ magazine is not targeted for hetero women. I was hoping, and I guess there’s part of me that still hopes, that this could be a teaching moment for all. The magazine, for seeing that Adam is not the gay Pop Idol they thought he was, and his fans, for getting a greater understanding of what it is like to be gay in this particular political climate. I still hope that illumination is possible.

When you can barely count on two hands the number of people in your life that have died from HIV related illness, and have been witness to some of the stupid prejudice I have

Just want to say that many of us have handled the tribulations of aids related deaths…I’ve held the hands of relatives and friends in their final hours, so don’t think that is an exclusive for only you.

I personally think that Adam has been very honest in his dealings with “his” community and has honestly related his feelings. And now for an Editor of a magazine to insinuate that Adam is being dishonest because his publicist asked for certain political gay subjects to be avoided in an introspective interview is to “face slap” a nice young man who was very gracious in laying out his feelings for a magazine article.

I think the OUT editor was bullying Adam and that is far more reprehensible than Adam’s team asking for his interview not to be politicized.

I was pointing out haw most of the people in this thread only became activists because of their love for Adam,…

I think that is one of Adam’s greatest gifts to us, opening our minds and hearts to difference.

movin2thabeat good point!

erinnthered
11/17/2009 at 8:05 pm
When you can barely count on two hands the number of people in your life that have died from HIV related illness, and have been witness to some of the stupid prejudice I have, you would not.

If you personally knew people who have to live in the closet just to be successful actors because the truth is the industry hasn’t changed as much as they want you to think it has, you would not disagree with me one bit.

That boy has no idea how good he has it.

So you are assuming that Adam has not suffered from prejudice and been ostracized because of his homosexuality? If so, I think you need to go back and read some of his interviews. And a lot of the current discussion about him has centered on whether he can even be successful in the music industry because he is an openly gay man. The jury is still out on how successful he will actually be. And that is a shame, because we should be past the point that sexual orientation should matter at all.

Sorry, but still not sure what your point is or why you are so angry. Did you read his entire tweet to Hicklin:

“Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.
Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.”

Not sure how this passive-aggressive, or why this response makes him a “shallow queen”. Just curious — how do you think he should have responded?

LOL. No, I think there’s a difference between having an opinion and going out on a full on attack, burning the guy at the stake.

I saw a whole lot of blanket statments being made yesterday, so much so that it made me step away from the thread because I started to feel a bit icky about it.

But like I said, that’s me.

I agree 100%, it is so nice to see a fan who can take a step back and be rational.

Looks like Adam uses the line ‘it’s not that deep’ whenever he’s in defense mode which he seems to find himself in frequently

This also is very true. I have seen Adam quoted that many times, and makes me angry. Adam, you are not 17, you are 27. Some things are deep, some things are complex, you cannot just dismiss everything that is not glitter and “shaking you ass”. I mean, I guess you can if you really want but I would rather you be the thoughtful, intelligent, well informed man everyone seems to insist you are.

Adam has experienced hatred all his life, and he knows he can’t change their opinions. I don’t know how he takes it when people spew so much hate and make such vile statements. He is a stronger person than I am.

And to me, that’s their conversation to have. They have to work their shit out. I’m not the one getting beat up for being gay, can’t marry the love of my life, etc. So who am I to tell him what should offend him or not? I ain’t him, just like I don’t want Rush Limbaugh telling me how to be Black.

But this isn’t just a discussion in the gay community. The idea is that gays are intergrated with all society and we can, and do, have opinions of each other. Now should my opinion be as valid as someone in the community by being a member? Perhaps not. But how do we determine the ‘right,’ to have an opinion? Some of my relatives are bi/gay, I’ve grown up with gay couples’ kids being my friends and their being friends of the family. I’ve done work for raising money for AIDS research and for done work for gay rights, for which I still work. So am I allowed to have an opinion about the gay community or not? No, I don’t know what it’s like to be gay, but I’m part of the 90% of the population has to be worked with so that the goals and rights of gays are achieved. Without enough of us, that will never happen.

So while I get that speaking outside the group is indeed fraught with shoals of danger! and I get that reticence, I also don’t buy that idea that I can’t and don’t have an opinon that also has some value to the debate.

When you can barely count on two hands the number of people in your life that have died from HIV related illness, and have been witness to some of the stupid prejudice I have, you would not.

I don’t have enough fingers to count the number of loved ones I buried because of AIDS, lets not call it a pretty name. I buried a brother, a couple of cousins, an aunt, an uncle, forget about a multitude of friends and this may be why I get where Adam is coming from. I have always had a affinity with and appreciation for the gay community because I was in the trenches with them. I am not blind. I’ve seen some shit that makes you question everything you were taught about humanity. So I don’t need you to all of a sudden have this love and understanding for the community when you say that you think Adam is best suited for bathhouses. Talk about homophobic!

You are trying to tell me that every gay person must be an advocate for them? You know the gay community isn’t a monolith? Do you know that there are gay people opposed to gay marriage? Do you know that not all of them think that it’s a civil rights issue? Do you know what most of them want is to live their lives anonymously like everybody else, without a bunch of people telling them how they should feel? If you are shaking with rage, imagine how this young man feels when he has done more to show what acceptance is all about than so many of these fucking banner wavers, who set shit back so far with their ass backward notions. Hell no he doesn’t have to be an advocate. He’s walking the walk, why should he have to talk the talk? It’s not necessary.

In that article he spoke volumes about acceptance on both sides. He spoke of changing the perceptions of gay men as promiscuous. You know something, it ain’t so deep. I know MJ hates that phrase being bandied about, but I am not trying to stop discourse, I am just trying to shine a light about what is fair and what is not. I think this was a perfect opportunity to show real progress, and now these idiots have come and muddied the water making this a bitchfest….someone described it as pulling defeat from the jaws of victory? Yep, this was a unique interview, a unique time to open the doors wide, for some honesty and real discussion, about real issues, and instead, they are slamming the doors in his face. tellin ghim that his has been chosen, and that he can’t say no, or there will be consequences, letting him know he will not be embraced unless he plays on their terms. Hopefully enough of us silly ass straights, with no idea of how complex this issue is, can pull the fucking door back open, and start the discussion anew without so much bullshit included. It ain’t that deep, free your mind, and the rest will follow.

You know you played the HIV card, and the y’all don’t understand card, but there are far more families who know exactly how Adam feels, because they have been touched in some way, having a gay friend, or co-worker…maybe we don’t walk in the same shoes, but sometimes just walking side by side is just as good.

For a soothing blam after discussing such hot topics may I suggest listening to Adam’s new CD streaming now!

HUH?’ ¦.well as a gay person he did not alienate me whatsoever. And if you can surmise from a tweet that is 140 characters at best that a person is shallow queen and begging for publicity and disregard a in-depth 2 part article that is in direct contrast to that assessment then can you please give me the winning numbers to the lottery tonight.

Thats’ fine. We’re all individuals with different experiences. I may just be gay friendly, but I’ve had enough of Adam.

This isn’t exactly the first thing I ever heard out of his mouth. Like I said, he already came across as immature and not self aware, but I realize now that he’s just shallow and doesn’t care. He’s welcome not to, but I do.

I also headed over to AfterElton, and we must be seeing two very different websites, because what I see is a lot dissatisfaction at his tweet. This is AE, so it’s civilized, but it’s very much there.

I just read Adam’s response to Hicklin, and I take back what I said in the album stream thread. I wouldn’t buy one of his songs if he put a gun to my head. IT’S NOT THAT DEEP?! Are you fucking kidding me? Can you get anymore passive aggressive and entitled?

That boy needs a history lesson, and swift kick in the pants. STAT!

He has no idea what the hell Hicklin was saying, and it wasn’t that hard to understand. I just thought he was immature and lacked self awareness, but he’s just a shallow queen, and I’ve met enough of those in my life that I don’t need another one.

The only person begging for publicity in that tweet was Adam, and this is not the kind he wanted. Way to alienate your gay and gay friendly fans, idiot.

What exactly do you think Hicklin was trying to say? Looks to me like:

Aaron was unhappy OUT didn’t get the first big Adam story which they are entitled to because they are the one true voice of gay people and should get preferential treatment.

OUT Mag is on the ropes and needs to sell a lot of this issue.

And, I agree with Adam that it really isn’t that deep — what was deep is what Adam said in the interview that is being overshadowed by the grand-standing editor.

I have three questions:

1. If they weren’t happy with the deal, then why did they put Adam on the cover, make him #1 on the OUT 100 list and print just a long interview with in? They could have just passed on Adam.

2. Why is Adam being criticized for what 19M did? I have been in the PR and marketing business for over 30 years and a publicist’s job is to work to get the best editorial presentation of clients they can.

3. Why is OUT Mag criticizing Adam who is publically gay when there is a long list of semi-closeted artists, performers, musicians, actors, politicians and people?

Adam didn’t start this and his tweets were clearly not intended to garner publicity. He gets enough of that already.

dhunken: With all due respect I can’t count on two hands the people I have know who have died of aids because it is a hell of a lot more then that. I have been witnessed to prejudice beyond comprehension. However I don’t feel that Adam is responsible to correct all that injustice.

You say that people are blinded by their love for Adam’ ¦ maybe you are blinded by your anger of the horrible things you have faced in your life. I am sorry for your troubles’ ¦but your are not the only person who has had tough situations. Adam is not responsible to cure the ills of the gay community. Though I am rather impressed that you and Hicklin seem to think he has that kind of power’ ¦I don’t even put him on that high of a pedestal.

Thank you for writing this — I didn’t not have words to express what I felt when I read that comment!

For someone who markets himself as an free, independent, uninhibited gay artist to be ok with not appearing solo on the cover of a gay journal is simply glaringly inconsistent with how he’s presenting himself, hence the editorial by Aaron Hicklin.

Like many of the comments I’ve read in this thread, this assumes that Adam himself was given a choice of whether to appear solo or in a group on the cover. So far, the dispute is with Adam’s management team.
No one knows what Adam was told about the cover or how much he was aware of things his management company allegedly said BEFORE he granted the interview and appeared for the photo. The only way we will know the details is if Adam chooses to speak more on the topic. Who knows how much of this shit goes on behind the artist’s back. The editor of OUT is trying to sucker Adam into the conversation. It will then become a “he said”-”he said” conversation. A lot of good that will do

Blacks have had far worse struggles in this country than gays. Sorry they do not equal each other at all.

You know, one could easily argue otherwise, but this isn’t really the proper thread for such pissing contests.

Abbysee, your post made me tear up. Thank you for your eloquence.

I don’t know. I think the guy had a point about Adam’s management’s over-handling. There’s something pretty obnoxious about telling a gay magazine not to present your client as ‘too gay’ . Huh?

I am also a little uncomfortable when people outside a community start telling people in a community how to think and feel. Especially when one is more powerful than the other. Just my opinion, I know I might be alone on that one.

Hi Tinawina

It’s not just your opinion. I agree. Reacting reflexively (one way or the other) to the editor’s whole letter isn’t productive. He’s packed a lot of stuff into that letter and you really need to read through it very carefully just to get the substance … before you can even approach the matter of his intent and his inferences. Rowaine has done a good job but it really is full of landmines.

It’s pretty clear to me though that he’s taking some thinly-veiled but heavy-duty potshots at Adam. There really seems to be some intense anger there.

People say that Adam is polarizing but I think that’s inaccurate. More and more, I think that he’s becoming a lightening rod for the issues and agendas of other people, communities, groups, factions; some legitimate and constructive and others that are just hateful and negative.

Could get really hot in Adam Lambert’s shoes. Hopefully it doesn’t stress him out and fry him as much as it could do.

I am shaking with rage’ ¦.flames’ ¦on the side of my face’ ¦.GAH!

erinthered: Adam can say it ain’t that deep or he can be shaking with rage. Personally I don’t think one should risk one’s health over Hicklin or Lambert.

Meanwhile thanks to abbysee, Q3 and all the others who posted thoughtful, intelligent comments. Bravo!

This too shall pass… I’m looking forward to the AMA’s and glad that most of the audience probably never heard of Hicklin or his minions.

Adam didn’t start this and his tweets were clearly not intended to garner publicity. He gets enough of that already.

I’ve been trying to stay of this and I will but I just have to ask, if Adam didn’t want to garner publicity why did he Twitter? It is a VERY public way to respond to someone. He could have called Aaron. He could have sent him a private e-mail but he Twittered. It sure seems like he wanted his response to be publicized to me. *shrugs*

Blacks have had far worse struggles in this country than gays. Sorry they do not equal each other at all.

Who’s got it worse than who arguments don’t do anything for anybody. Nothing and nobody’s rightful issues are fully appreciated, understood or addressed in this manner. It’s like using a sledge hammer when you need a really need 20/20 vision, understanding,, insight and wisdom rolled into a laser.

HermeticallySealed
11/17/2009 at 8:41 pm
Blacks have had far worse struggles in this country than gays. Sorry they do not equal each other at all.

You know, one could easily argue otherwise, but this isn’t really the proper thread for such pissing contests.

Your right so last post because it is that deep.Adam said he may sleep with a woman.I guess black people can just become white then.
This tread is very sad

I know many fans here don’t really care if Adam reaches out to the gay community or not, but I would argue that it is an essential element for Adam’s future success. Not only is it downright weird for a self-expressed gay man to not reach out to the gay community, but also his music, style and fashion sense are right in the gay wheelhouse. Having the initial connection to the gay media start so clearly loaded with attached strings is something I’m sure the readers are now hyper aware of. Whether you like it or not, gay pride is still an energizing principle for many in the community, and this kind of rubs the wrong way.

Okay, after this I am just going to step away from this. Adam is the epitome of gay pride. He is the personification of gay pride. How do you reach out to a community that you are already a part of. I guess you mean the establishment part of it. Where it’s more about show, than substance. Just living openly, and loving openly and proudly is showing the ultimate support. I am not saying he couldn’t have handled the tweet better, but considering the fact it seemed as though he were blindsided by Aaron, and then piled on by various others his response might not have been as well thought out, but it was honest. You know the most so called complicated problems have the most simple solutions, and I think that this is one of those times. Adam has already said that he would definitely have stuff to say, but isn’t it throwing the baby out with the bathwater if he won’t have a chance to even get on the playing field?

First it was come out, live your life honestly, then the rules changed again, and it’s come out, separate yourself from the straight people and giant barbies/women, and be our leader. Wouldn’t he be a better leader, if he had more followers? This and only this is my problem. Aaron took it to the streets before he took it to Adam. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

abbsee, your post is beautiful.

I think that, although they mean well, a lot of Adam’s fans ARE expecting him to be a poster boy for gay rights– to speak out on it and be vocal about it. But you know what? I think he has to work within the constraints of the system. You can’t change people’s perceptions by hitting them over the head with a hammer. It’s much more effective to win people’s minds over if you go about it slowly, subtly, if you get them on your side first by appealing to them with your music and personality, like Adam’s trying to do.

And that’s what pisses me off. Adam is so open about his sexuality. If you read the actual Out interview, a lot of it is about his relationships, his boyfriends– he was remarkably unguarded and honest, even offering his perceptions about love in the gay community. And it seems like such a stab in the back for that to be accompanied by the scathing editor’s letter– which, although not directly about Adam, is addressed to him. Adam is playing the precarious balancing game of being being openly, proudly gay and yet not wanting to alienate potential supporters who aren’t accepting of gay people or culture–yet. I don’t know how anyone can argue, what with his campy, feminine album cover or his frankness and honesty in his interviews, that he’s hiding his sexuality–and these are things that his management is presumably aware of and condone.

The editor’s letter comes off as petty to me. I don’t think he would lie, but the fact that he brings up Details and Rolling Stone and the way he discussed them–with the little jab about kittens and all–that there’s some inter-magazine rivalry going on. And while it is not good at all that Adam’s management didn’t want him to come off as “too gay” on the cover, the other comments about not asking about the gay rights march on Washington reflect Adam’s wishes to not become a political advocate, and instead focus on the music. He really should’ve contacted Adam or his management before publishing that, to clear up any miscommunications, and to prepare them for the blog.

I think Adam has a much better chance of winning over those people who don’t feel comfortable with “gayness” his way, with focusing on the music, and Aaron’s bitchy little editor’s letter doesn’t help any cause, including the gay rights cause. I suppose it does bring publicity for his magazine…

clearone –

I’ve been trying to stay of this and I will but I just have to ask, if Adam didn’t want to garner publicity why did he Twitter? It is a VERY public way to respond to someone. He could have called Aaron. He could have sent him a private e-mail but he Twittered. It sure seems like he wanted his response to be publicized to me. *shrugs*

bang on!!! couldn’t agree more. it’s funny how this seemingly “behind the scenes” tit-for-tat is being played out in the media.

Again I’ll say that whether you or Adam like it or not, being an out gay celebrity in this culture is a political act.

Really? how so? and does that mean that unless they are willing to cater to the gay community they should remain in the closet?

This whole arguement is bizarre to me. Adam is openly gay. He’s making no apologies for who he is. He’s bascially telling people take me or leave me and yet that’s not enough? THAT does more for the gay community that 100 signed checks or marches walked IMO.

You know, one could easily argue otherwise, but this isn’t really the proper thread for such pissing contests.

I would love to see THAT argument, really I would LOL…. but you’re right this isn’t the time or the place….

That boy needs a history lesson, and swift kick in the pants. STAT!

I disagree. Adam is trying to handle this the best way he can and he cant please everybody. It is not fair to condemn him for past events that are out of his control. I think the focus should be on the positive and the progress, not the negative.
Furthermore, the out editor doesnt seem to care about Adam as an artist or even as a human being but rather an ideal he has imposed upon Adam..he sees him as a gay man first and that is not cool. This is a crucial moment in Adams career and it not the right time to criticize the very ppl helping Adam acquire the success that he wants for a political agenda not because I say so but because ADAM SAYS SO.
He is the artist and the point is not that he is “an openly gay pop star” the point is that he is SO FUCKING TALENTED as a performer people are drawn to him and as a result accept and admire the human being as well. But it was still his talent that ppl noticed first as it should be and nobody can change that.
That editor and all those that support him are misdirecting their energy in a way that could stymie his career because its asking people to choose sides whereas music is supposed to bring ppl together.
anywho, Planet Fierce gave a great response. props to you!!

But this isn’t just a discussion in the gay community. The idea is that gays are intergrated with all society and we can, and do, have opinions of each other. Now should my opinion be as valid as someone in the community by being a member? Perhaps not. But how do we determine the ‘right,’ to have an opinion? Some of my relatives are bi/gay, I’ve grown up with gay couples’ kids being my friends and their being friends of the family. I’ve done work for raising money for AIDS research and for done work for gay rights, for which I still work. So am I allowed to have an opinion about the gay community or not? No, I don’t know what it’s like to be gay, but I’m part of the 90% of the population has to be worked with so that the goals and rights of gays are achieved. Without enough of us, that will never happen.

So while I get that speaking outside the group is indeed fraught with shoals of danger! and I get that reticence, I also don’t buy that idea that I can’t and don’t have an opinon that also has some value to the debate.

Fair enough. For me, its not so much about having an opinion on the issue. That is fine to me. Its the sheer volume of judgmental anger coming down on the guy, as if HE has no right to HIS opinion. Especially in a conversation about identity. I mean, I am a card carrying ally. Attended rallies, marched in parades, spoken out for gay rights, etc. But I personally have never seen it as my role, or even my right, to tell gay people how they should feel about themselves. I may have an opinion and I may express it, but I sure ain’t ready to call an actual gay person’s opinion on stuff like that illegitimate, which is whet I feel was happening. Everywhere, not just by some on here. Again, this is how I feel about it, I am not trying to control anyone’s actions. It just makes me uncomfortable, and I said so.

Your right so last post because it is that deep.Adam said he may sleep with a woman.I guess black people can just become white then.
This tread is very sad

I wish that this made some kind of sense to me. I can’t decipher it but I have a feeling that I wouldn’t like it even if I could.

Your right so last post because it is that deep.Adam said he may sleep with a woman.I guess black people can just become white then.
This tread is very sad

That makes absolutely no sense at all. Are you inferring that gays can choose to be straight and thus solve all their problems, but people can’t change their skin colors so can’t avoid those resulting of such? At least use an appropriate analogy.

Again I’ll say that whether you or Adam like it or not, being an out gay celebrity in this culture is a political act.

I agree that it is but that doesnt mean it has to define him as a person and dictate every aspect of Adams life and career.

abbysee!!!

Wow. Amazing post.

Hell no he doesn’t have to be an advocate. He’s walking the walk, why should he

Also being left off is Adam tweeted 3 tweets. The first was a link to Rowe’s post. Which was quite deep. Adam is the opposite of avoiding the issue of equality. He’s radically living it.

clearone
11/17/2009 at 8:46 pm
Adam didn’t start this and his tweets were clearly not intended to garner publicity. He gets enough of that already.

I’ve been trying to stay of this and I will but I just have to ask, if Adam didn’t want to garner publicity why did he Twitter? It is a VERY public way to respond to someone. He could have called Aaron. He could have sent him a private e-mail but he Twittered. It sure seems like he wanted his response to be publicized to me. *shrugs*

IMO Adam did this for his fans — many of whom were very upset by the “Open Letter” and was trying to calm everyone down. It needed to be public — and reach his fans.

I don’t have enough fingers to count the number of loved ones I buried because of AIDS, lets not call it a pretty name. I buried a brother, a couple of cousins, an aunt, an uncle, forget about a multitude of friends and this may be why I get where Adam is coming from. I have always had a affinity with and appreciation for the gay community because I was in the trenches with them. I am not blind. I’ve seen some shit that makes you question everything you were taught about humanity. So I don’t need you to all of a sudden have this love and understanding for the community when you say that you think Adam is best suited for bathhouses. Talk about homophobic!

OMG, really? Still on the bathhouses thing? Club acts perform in bathhouses. They perform in theatres. They perform in clubs. It is not an insult to perform in a bathhouse! It was a in a list of one of many places you can see club acts, and I included several in that list. Not just the damn bathhouses. One person pulled it out of context from a post from a week or more ago to try to demonstrate I must be one of those Adam hating homophobes, and you took the bait.

You never even saw the original statement, and yet you feel comfortable paraphrasing and accusing me of something. How rational is that?

Second, sorry for your losses, and I didn’t specify who in my case because this isn’t the place for it. AIDS is a disease caused by the virus HIV. I gather you probably know that, but no PC here. Haven’t heard someone say someone died “of/ from AIDS” in a long while. And yes, I’ve lost family, friends, and coworkers. How exactly did this become a pissing match over who lost the most people, anyway? I thought it was clear I was making a point by saying it had touched my life. Why the need to justify?

The only thing my post said was that I disagree with and am angry with him, and am bothered that more people here are not. Why the need to project? Why be so defensive?

I said it other posts, on several topics, and these days almost always seemingly to the hard core fanbase of Adam Lambet, but think what you like, but I am going to disagree. And in this case, it will change my opinion of you. If you are so confident in your opinion, then why do you care?

I’ve been trying to stay of this and I will but I just have to ask, if Adam didn’t want to garner publicity why did he Twitter? It is a VERY public way to respond to someone. He could have called Aaron. He could have sent him a private e-mail but he Twittered. It sure seems like he wanted his response to be publicized to me. *shrugs*

wasn’t adam addressed in public? why does he owe Aaron the courtsey of a private chat? This man publically called him on the carpet for his own agenda. Sometimes you have to react in the same manner you are attacked, just the way it is.

Adam said he may sleep with a woman.I guess black people can just become white then.
This tread is very sad

strange I heard him say he was curious, not that he may sleep with a women and sorry, even IF he did sleep with a woman, that wouldn’t suddenly de-gay him LOL.

You’re equating the racial struggles with the gay struggles which is fine whatever but I think it’s a strawman arguement intended to derail the real issue and that is that Adam has been very open and honest and he’s STILL being attacked.

How exactly did this become a pissing match over who lost the most people, anyway?

It became a pissing match when you basically inferred that you had lost more people than anyone else on this board and that’s why you felt the way you do. just a hunch.

Here is a working link to Rowe’s Response: http://tinyurl.com/PF111709-HL

Here are Adam’s 3 tweets:

Reply Retweet adamlambert Planet Fierce responds to A. Hicklin’s “Open Letter to Adam” http://bit.ly/1yTFLP : thank you to the writer! YOU get it.
about 3 hours ago from Echofon
[link in Adam's tweet no longer functions]

Reply Retweet adamlambert Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.
about 3 hours ago from Echofon

adamlambert (cont.) Until we have a meaningful conversation, perhaps you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.
about 3 hours ago from Echofon

This is a very deep issue, how is this not that deep? If Adam really suffered prejudice because he’s gay, he would have known it’s deep.

I think that is one of Adam’s greatest gifts to us, opening our minds and hearts to difference.

This is ridiculous. Do Glamberts really think “us” as all homophobes before Adam came along?

I would love to see THAT argument, really I would LOL’ ¦. but you’re right this isn’t the time or the place’ ¦.

I never said blacks have it easy, but the problems gays have are very different than the ones faced by blacks. Each side has gotten the shaft, just in differing manners.

I was pointing out haw most of the people in this thread only became activists because of their love for Adam, and that maybe calling out someone for seeing this differently might change if they had a different background. Just look at the number of people trying to insinuate I’m a homophobe.

With all due respect, we’re all pretty much strangers here in an anonymous capacity. Neither you nor I have any clue the way in which most of the posters on this thread have come to their conclusions. We do not in fact know anything about anyone else’s background here.

I don’t personally think you’re a homophobe. But reasonably speaking, for people who don’t know you and aren’t familiar with your past posts, “shallow queen” might strike them as a homophobic phrase. A newbie here would really have no way of knowing that phrase didn’t come from a bad place.

Everyone here has a right to their opinion. They have the right to believe that the Editor is the asshole, or that Adam’s handlers are, or that even Adam himself may be engaging in assholery. But I don’t think any of us has the right to assume what other’s motives are.

Insinuating that someone is delusional or blinded by obessive fangirl love is just an underhanded way of trying to marginalize their opinion because it is different from one’s own.

I thought this thread today contained a lot of reasoned debate, and a pretty healthy discussion. I don’t agree with all of the posters on this thread, but that doesn’t give me the right to go off on them either.

I don’t know. I think the guy had a point about Adam’s management’s over-handling. There’s something pretty obnoxious about telling a gay magazine not to present your client as ‘too gay’ . Huh?

I am also a little uncomfortable when people outside a community start telling people in a community how to think and feel. Especially when one is more powerful than the other. Just my opinion, I know I might be alone on that one.

You’re definitely not alone on this, tinawina. I feel the same way.

No one knows what Adam was told about the cover or how much he was aware of things his management company allegedly said BEFORE he granted the interview and appeared for the photo.

bruno, I did not assume Adam was on board with his management company’s approaches. But after Adam threw down his tweet on lack of depth and chill factor, I have to assume that he is OK with the decisions his management is making. If not, he would either not have responded to the letter at all or responded in an entirely different manner.

Second, sorry for your losses, and I didn’t specify who in my case because this isn’t the place for it. AIDS is a disease caused by the virus HIV. I gather you probably know that, but no PC here. Haven’t heard someone say someone died ‘of/ from AIDS’  in a long while. And yes, I’ve lost family, friends, and coworkers. How exactly did this become a pissing match over who lost the most people, anyway? I thought it was clear I was making a point by saying it had touched my life. Why the need to justify?

Don’t back track from your comments, embrace them, and don’t try to excuse the things you say. I know what you meant, because it was what you said. There is no pissing contest. I don’t do that publicly. Why are you so defensive? Your last statement wasn’t clear at all so I can’t even answer to it.

I’ve been trying to stay of this and I will but I just have to ask, if Adam didn’t want to garner publicity why did he Twitter? It is a VERY public way to respond to someone. He could have called Aaron. He could have sent him a private e-mail but he Twittered. It sure seems like he wanted his response to be publicized to me. *shrugs*

Why the hell shouldn’t he? He was being attacked in public; why on earth is he crucified for defending himself, albeit very modestly.

If it were Donald Trump or Gene Simmons, they’d call a fucking press conference with every media outlet known to man. They’d take out full-page ads in every major paper.

Adam is using this forum to speak his mind and I believe it’s also a shout-out to those who are backing him that he isn’t just lying down and taking it as his name gets unjustifiably dragged through the mud.

Looks like Adam uses the line ‘it’s not that deep’ whenever he’s in defense mode which he seems to find himself in frequently

This also is very true. I have seen Adam quoted that many times, and makes me angry. Adam, you are not 17, you are 27. Some things are deep, some things are complex, you cannot just dismiss everything that is not glitter and ‘shaking you ass’ . I mean, I guess you can if you really want but I would rather you be the thoughtful, intelligent, well informed man everyone seems to insist you are.

This.

That is fine to me. Its the sheer volume of judgmental anger coming down on the guy, as if HE has no right to HIS opinion.

I’m not going to speak for anyone else in this thread, but as far as I’m concerned he has every right to his opinion. Just as I have every right to be offended by it, and disagree with it. I won’t quote Voltaire, but you get the point.

Also, It seems to be a pattern that every time Adam Tweets that something isn’t too deep it will closely be followed by him @replying a blogger with a big “Thank you! You get it!” That would also be very passive aggressive, and no longer cute in any way…IMHO, of course.

With my previous post aside, I also think that Adam’s twitter comments did not help the situation.

“It ain’t that deep”<–not the best comment to make when it really IS that deep to many people, including a large contingent of his fans and supporters. Adam wants it to be about the music and his performances, and that's exactly how he should continue to approach it, but at the same time there are people out there that view him as more than just a pop star, and he needs to respect that as well.

"Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine"<– Probably true. But Adam's seriously got to stop accusing people of using his name for publicity. It seems conceited, and it doesn't really facilitate any real communication on the matter.

All in all, Adam should not be addressing this issue from his twitter–this kind of conversation requires more than 140 hurried, probably frustratedly dashed off letters. But I understand his frustration too. Adam's in a very brutal situation right now, caught between balancing the wants of the mainstream and of the gay rights movement and certain parts of the gay community. Neither side has been very forgiving.

ETA: I keep trying to post this comment and it never shows up. Sorry for the repeat comment if it has shown up to everyone else, and my computer is just having a glitch…

what was deep is what Adam said in the interview that is being overshadowed by the grand-standing editor.

Exactly, Q3. An interview that would go a long way to helping prosper Out’s alleged purpose.

And Hicklin writing the letter to Adam, without a discussion with Adam, as mentioned in Adam’s tweet, is further evidence of Adam being correct in charging Hicklin was having his own agenda. Look at the massive photo coverage they gave Adam. Was that just more set-up for the Dear Adam letter? How about less, or no, photos in protest to 19?

And your 3 questions were perfectly on point. Where’s Hicklin’s “Dear Closeted Hollywood” letter.

ETA: SusanM, well said. Adam had to defend himself. Editor attacking. Pe-Hil screaming: Choose are you Gay or Not. He had to respond.

I think Perez encapsulated this entire discussion when he (to paraphrase) asked Adam to respond as to whether he wanted to support the gay community or have a career.

And this is what “ticks” me off…nothing more, nothing less. Perez and Aaron, as outspoken Gays basically threw down the gauntlet and challenged Adam to make a decision.

Now, I don’t know about anyone else but that kind of “in your face” challenge if presented to me wouldn’t lead me to staying a rational and calm human being. I am surprised that Adam stayed as calm and focused as he did.

Any kind of bullying, in anything, is totally distasteful to me, whether it is directed at me or others. I think it is the biggest cheap shot that exists and I have no respect for anyone who used those tactics!

I also headed over to AfterElton, and we must be seeing two very different websites, because what I see is a lot dissatisfaction at his tweet. This is AE, so it’s civilized, but it’s very much there.

There was a lot of dissatisfaction from ontd_ai as well, and a lot of people who like Adam, were disappointed with his response. I think that’s a valid response. However most of them weren’t ready to flounce, as they call it, from being an Adam fan. I think that they realize that Adam has also done a lot more very in-depth, and articulate talking about this subject in many interviews. From the RS one, to his first TV one on 20/20, or the OUT one. He’s been very candid about it, and yes, I do think very articulate and meaningful in what he had to say.

I think also that they realize that Adam is imperfect as well, and I’ve said this before, I think he can get defensive and REacts sometimes before he thinks. I think his Tweets about this are a good example. The first about ‘not that deep,’ and about how Hicklin was just using marketing, were that. The second was a more reasoned response, about how unless the two of THEM were to discuss it, that he didn’t want Hicklin imposing his agenda on Adam.

I think Adam felt attacked, and I feel rightly so. He, presumably from both the writer and Hicklin, had no idea this was going on from his management, yet neither one of them talk to him about their concerns or allow that to stop them from having Adam on the cover/article. Adam just shows up for his shoot, is very honest and in-depth with the author, and that’s it as far as he knows.

In the meantime he puts out a cover that is very effeminate (and is criticized within parts of the gay community for hurting the gay community with it) and has content in his songs that reflect his sexuality and he doesn’t compromise with the lyrics there. Adam knows this management lets him do all of this and supports him. Let’s him appear on OUT magazines cover, which if they were SOOO worried about his gay, why would they do that? That is what Adam knows of 19 and his gayness.

So when Hicklin comes out with this letter addresed to Adam. Not his management, but personally TO Adam. First off, why should Adam believe Hicklin or the writer? Because he doesn’t KNOW them, he has no relationship with them, and both of them essentially just stabbed him in the back by insisting he be come gay messiah and chastising HIM, not his management, HIM. And doing this right a week before his album drops and he’s already feeling incredibly pressured about. So Adam has every reason to trust in 19′s being okay with his gay, given all the magazine articles and TV interviews he’s done, his cover, his lyrics, things that seem pretty out there for a gay artist. On the other hand he has two people who he doesn’t know, who seemingly want to, desipte everything he’s said in their very publication, want to give him vast amount of responsibility for seeminglly their own political agendas.

Frankly I can see why Adam is pissed and trusting his management and not either trusting or liking anyone to do with OUT right now.

So he acted defensively, and dismissively to the editor and yes, rejected out of hand their claims that he is being straightwashed. He knows he’s not. He knows he’s gay and out and that was part of the whole point of talking to OUT and agreeing to be on their cover. And yet it doesn’t seem enough to Hicklin, who had to, I bet he feels, attack him. Which again, I think Hicklin did do.

BUT that being said, I think that Adam’s decision to reject just Hicklin and his views because he was (rightly) pissed, meant that he didn’t talk about the problems expressed by the writer/editor, which is the situation of gays not being able to truly be gay. That somehow they need to hide it. Which is a valid point, and if 19 did this, they suck for it. But I can see why Adam doesn’t believe them at this point because of HOW Hicklin and this writer went about it.

As it is, Adam’s response was pissy, and ill-thought out, and directed just at Hicklin. And it wasn’t the best response. He should have, as I’ve said about other things, just ignored it, frankly. Really. There was no way for him to win in this situation.

Oh well. Badly played by all is how I see it. Hicklin and this writer were assholes and idiots, they stabbed Adam in the back, as I see it, and Adam responded emotionally and badly.

End result, if Adam has lost people like Erinn or others in the gay or gay friendly community, and I believe it, that makes his chance of success even less likelly and again, given his poor single sales, he probably needs all the support he can get. So let’s say he fails. Oh well, one less gay messiah, and another gay screw-up. And I think that this just means that people are even less likely to come out, and one less person to possibly bridge between the GLBTQ communities and the straight ones. I guess that leaves Ellen as the gay messiah.

How exactly did this become a pissing match over who lost the most people, anyway? I thought it was clear I was making a point by saying it had touched my life. Why the need to justify?

Maybe it wasn’t that clear, because it seemed to me you were insinuating that if anyone else here had been touched by such tragedies, they would feel the same way as you. Perhaps I misunderstood you.

But after Adam threw down his tweet on lack of depth and chill factor, I have to assume that he is OK with the decisions his management is making. If not, he would either not have responded to the letter at all or responded in an entirely different manner.

I think the second part of Adam’s tweet is really the more meaningful part. It isn’t fair to put the magazine’s agenda on Adam’s shoulders. I can totally understand that the editor and the reporter were extremely offended by Adam’s management’s behavior. And, it is a topic that should be brought to light. But I do think the way they did it was shitty, and I think Adam has every right to respond to that.

The guy’s at the beginning of his career, and he just wants to perform and sell a few cd’s. Insinuating that he needs to carry some kind of flag, or using him as your personal poster boy is a bit of a stretch in my opinion. Adam’s place in any kind of political movement should be his to choose. Clearly, he can’t make anyone happy either way. So, he should just go ahead and make the choices he can live with.

This is ridiculous. Do Glamberts really think ‘us’  as all homophobes before Adam came along?

Glamberts? Really? I didn’t say anything about homophobia and there was a very interesting discussion here yesterday that you obviously missed. *shrug* Adam tells kids not to be afraid of being different, not necessarily gay.

People say that Adam is polarizing but I think that’s inaccurate. More and more, I think that he’s becoming a lightening rod for the issues and agendas of other people, communities, groups, factions; some legitimate and constructive and others that are just hateful and negative.

I agree but why is this the case? If you sign up to be a recording artist and you happen to be gay I guess that automatically means you have to take on the rest of it but I don’t believe that’s fair.

It’s sad to me that someone who just wanted to be an entertainer could be wrecked by political issues but there it is. Gene Simmons was right although not for the reason he thought. He thought being gay would ruin Adam primarily because straight, conservative Americans wouldn’t accept him. I’m sure there are some who don’t but the real reason for his undoing is that he couldn’t navigate this political “too gay” “not gay enough” minefield.

Wow. This thread is too fast to follow. But I wanted to interject this little thought at some point …

Who knows what Adam Lambert will want to do in a few years. He may decide to become a poster boy. But he won’t make a very good one if he fails in his career. He won’t make a very good one if he’s all burned out and shot full of slings and arrows.

Why does he have to take on national political issues when he’s just putting out his freshman work and make it float?

How’s he not going to ‘mess it up’ with so much pressure coming from all sides?

I think that “it’s not that deep’ were the wrong words to use in that tweet. But I can certainly understand it if he feels a need to contain or minimize yet another source of pressure when it’s coming at such a bad time.

Ok. back to regularly scheduled programming and I’ll try to catch up with y’all. whew.

lulwut
11/17/2009 at 8:59 pm
This is ridiculous. Do Glamberts really think ‘us’  as all homophobes before Adam came along?

Uh, no. And I think you know better than that. But thanks for your contribution to the discussion.

can’t edit but

eta-THANK YOU TRUTHINESS!!!!

I totally agree.maybe it wasn’t the *best* decision maybe he reacted a little too quickly.. .but,his second tweets seemed more rational to me too.personally,I wasn’t offended by either of them but whatever.

Truthiness …… thumbs up for that post.

For a quick break in the serious talk.

Some Adam dancer audition eye candy..enjoy

http://abc.go.com/watch/clip/2009-american-music-awards/SH011880100000/145425/241554?&clipId=241554

I know that no one on this thread ultimately wishes harm to Adam or indeed wishes him anything but peace and happiness despite their personal beliefs or anger about the way he chooses to be gay. So, lets all agree that its really cool that FYE the single just jumped ten places on itunes!

Truthiness ‘ ¦’ ¦ thumbs up for that post.

Absolutely!

THANK TOU NEWFAN!!!

also,for the record I don’t consider ANY non-Adam fans haters or homophobes.in fct,sites I go on all the time(and like) like vftw or topidol hate Adam .I don’t care ;to me at least “they’re nor haters or homophobes”….IMHO

how shallow and hateful his statement on Twitter actually was.

“It’s not that deep” is hateful? Really? So where would flippantly labeling someone “shallow queen” rank on the scale of hatefulness?

Btw, I think “shallow” is one of the definitions of Twitter.

To me the deal is…..Adam is modern. He is a musician (a GREAT musician) who is gay, not a GAY musician. He refuses to be put in a box. He is multidimensional.

He doesn’t have to get permission from Aaron Hicklin to do a beautiful, artistic photo spread in Details, which had the purpose (to me) of illustrating an article about Adam’s appeal to women. (NOT Adam’s desire for women, more’s the pity…)

Seems to me that Hicklin didn’t protest the 19 team’s provisions on the spot because he wanted to play both ends against the middle. He NEEDED Adam Lambert in that article for the buzz. But he had to write the editorial letter to keep his cred with the more snarky elements of the gay community, and to get publicity for the issue.

Oh and Aaron?, “I don’t watch American Idol”? I learned long ago that people that protest that they don’t watch TV are pretentious and, well, not too much fun. Pop culture is fun. And Adam Lambert’s live performances have always been worth looking forward to!

As for the trumped up controversies? They AIN’T that deep.

Oh just let the man sing. All he wants to do is sing. I beggeth of you. Sing Adam, Sing. Dont speak, sing my glittery alien.

Q3, thanks for the link.

Rowenaaine:

Superb piece. I’m not sure if you’re a writer or not, but you make Hick-whateverhisnameis look like an amateur. Well reasoned, fair, and articulate.

(Oh, and thanks for calling him out on the apartheid reference. He shouldn’t use big words he doesn’t understand.)

(The only thing I would have added is a WTF on his 6-ft Barbie reference. The irony is astounding.)

Here’s the way I see it. This has stirred up a hornet’s nest, with many different opinions from a diverse group here at MJs. Some of it’s vitriolic… some just plain unnecessary… but the upside is that at least we’re talking about it. Gay rights / marriage equality seems to take a backseat to other more mainstream discussions in our society. But it’s a civil rights issue, plain and simple. And nothing will change until we, as a country, start discussing the complexities of sexual orientation. The online community that is following this story is not huge. But tomorrow, some people may strike up a conversation about it at the water cooler. It’s organic. And that’s a good thing.

if Adam didn’t want to garner publicity why did he Twitter? It is a VERY public way to respond to someone. He could have called Aaron. He could have sent him a private e-mail but he Twittered. It sure seems like he wanted his response to be publicized to me.

Of course he wanted his response to be publicized. That’s not the same thing as “wanting publicity.” Hicklin’s letter has been all over the Internet. People have been debating it all day. How else was Adam supposed to get his response to those people?

If Hicklin had wanted to address these issues quietly, HE could have called Adam and made him aware of his problems with 19. Instead, he chose to publicly call Adam out for what 19 allegedly did — even though whatever 19 did or didn’t see doesn’t seem to have Out from asking any questions they wanted, nor did it prevent Adam from giving candid and refreshing answers. Adam has said many times he’s not ready at this point in his life to be a political figure or symbol. Hicklin was trying to back him into a corner — “don’t screw this up” — and Adam had a right to say “you don’t get to make that decision for me.”

Truthiness, I think your whole commentary on how Adam is feeling right now is remarkably astute and probably accurate. Adam probably HAS been blindsided by all this. He has all reason to trust his management, people he knows, more than Aaron and his interviewer… who apparently never even hinted to him about this whole issue. So for all he knows, he has a management that has allowed him creative control in his album cover, in his interviews, and he he’s gone into an interview with Out Magazine and speaks completely honestly and revealingly. And now this. Where did this come from? The bitchy tone of Aaron’s article doesn’t help, either.

End result, if Adam has lost people like Erinn or others in the day or gay friendly community, and I believe it, that makes his chance of success even less likelly and again, given his poor single sales, he probably needs all the support he can get. So let’s say he fails. Oh well, one less gay messiah, and another gay screw-up. And I think that this just means that people are even less likely to come out, and one less person to possibly bridge between the GLBTQ communities and the straight ones. I guess that leaves Ellen as the gay messiah.

And then this. This too. This is really unfortunate. If the gay community (and I know I can’t speak for EVERYONE, and there are plenty of people who aren’t reacting in this way) holds all its prominent members to such an unforgiving standard, then I fail to see how someone can successfully retain their support while still not alienating a mainstream audience, as Adam is attempting to do.

If Adam succeeds, then it will definitely increase mainstream acceptance of gay culture. I already see that at work here, with his fans who have changed their own views and preconceptions about gay people and culture. But he has to win them over to HIS side before he can start to change anyone’s minds about ALL gay people. That’s just the reality.

He’s gay, he’s not ashamed, and he’s awesome, (forgive me the colloquial diction.) He really has the potential to change people’s biases against gay people, if he can achieve a positive presence in popular culture through his music. It’s really in the best interest of the gay rights movement for him to succeed. So Out Magazine making this thing into such a big deal and possibly hurting Adam’s career? Was a terrible move. And Adam’s not-very-well-thought-out response, born of frustration, doesn’t help either.

Fun stuff, dancer auditions!

http://abc.go.com/watch/clip/2009-american-music-awards/SH011880100000/145425/241554?&clipId=241554

Trying to lighten the mood a bit with pretty..

abbysee, thank you for your moving and insightful post.

And to all of you here today who decided to stick around to carry the conversation… and move it forward.

erinnthered– I am sorry for your losses. I disagree with you on everything you said in your angry, angry post, but one cannot minimize grief.

Some Adam dancer audition eye candy..enjoy

What FUN!!! Thank you so much for this. I love his “They’re cute” comment. His intonation is adorable.

You are so obtuse, instead of as deep as you think you are. Don’t back track from your comments, embrace them, and don’t try to excuse the things you say. I know what you meant, because it was what you said. There is no pissing contest. I don’t do that publicly. Why are you so defensive? Your last statement wasn’t clear at all so I can’t even answer to it.

I’m not backtracking anything. Go back and read my posts. I am pissed at Adam and find his response shallow and ridiculous. I’ll say it a thousand times. I’ll also say that I won’t be buying any of his music. Where did I backtrack there?

My purpose for bring up HIV and my (multiple) closeted actor friends was to show that because of my experiences I rather angrily disagreed with Adam. As I said ” if you…then you would.” I was not directly responding to you. I believe that the person I was responding to had walked in my shoes their response would change. This board doesn’t exist in a vacuum. I’ve read other posts by just about everyone I’ve responded to. Where did I backtrack?

My response was short and to the point on those issues because my purpose was not one up anyone, or show that I am better than anyone. Just to point out that because of my life and experience I have this particular response to Adam’s Tweets. You posted a very long thesis that came off very defensive. Even including things you knew nothing about to try and discredit me. You went to the trouble to give a lot specifics on issues that are not really related to the argument, and came off like a need to justify your opinion. It also came off as though because you lost more people, and had your experiences, that you believe your opinion is more valid than mine. That’s a pissing contest.

No excuses, just explanations, and only because apparently every time I disagree with certain people they are needed. It gets very tiring when someone wants to express an opinion, and you get dogpiled by anyone who disagrees. I see it with others too, and it’s disheartening.

ETA: Here’s a funny note…to me, anyway…everyone dogpiled on the HIV issue so much that they totally missed that the much deeper reason I am pissed has to do with my actor friends who don’t have Adam’s luck. Really, Adam has no idea how lucky he is, and he has no right to hold down anyone who wants to try and shine a light on something that might pass that luck on to someone else.

Can a black couple legally get married in the US? Yes
Can a gay couple legally get married in the US? In most states, no.

When a black couple are walking down the street arm and arm, do people stare and whisper? No.
When a gay couple does that? Yes.

Do black people get sent passages from the bible to try and convert them? No.
Did Adam? Yes.

Do some people think it is immoral or wrong to be black? No.
Gay? yes

Do black people have difficulty having dates, first kiss, first love in h.s.? No.
Do gays? yes.

ABBYSEE thanks for your very articulate post. I could not agree more.

jill16
11/17/2009 at 2:36 pm
It really makes me even madder reading this journalists blog. If she and Hicklin has such a problem with it, they should have personally taken it up with Adam’s management, instead of publishing a ‘Dear Adam’  letter. Of course, that wouldn’t have given them all this free publicity they’re getting.

^^THIS^^ – My take on it too!

ETA: Here’s a funny note’ ¦to me, anyway’ ¦everyone dogpiled on the HIV issue so much that they totally missed that the much deeper reason I am pissed has to do with my actor friends who don’t have Adam’s luck. Really, Adam has no idea how lucky he is, and he has no right to hold down anyone who wants to try and shine a light on something that might pass that luck on to someone else.

Adam didn’t have “luck.” He had drive, a dream and the balls to go for the big brass (or in his case, glittery) ring.

His success so far has less to do with luck and everything to do with mega talent and hard work.

In at least one sense he is lucky– he was born to parents who accept and love him unconditionally– which has given himt he strength and confidence he needs to push forward in a hostile world.

To dismiss Adam’s rise as lucky is to diminish what he has accomplished and will continue to accomplish– despite the tsunami of negativity he faces every day of his life.

Luckily, he doesn’t see most of it. Or I hope he doesn’t.

ETA: Here’s a funny note’ ¦to me, anyway’ ¦everyone dogpiled on the HIV issue so much that they totally missed that the much deeper reason I am pissed has to do with my actor friends who don’t have Adam’s luck. Really, Adam has no idea how lucky he is, and he has no right to hold down anyone who wants to try and shine a light on something that might pass that luck on to someone else.

Adam’s not holding anyone down.

As for the rest of your post, I haven’t read the whole discussion and have no context on it, so I’ll just say that I think it’s perfectly understandable for you to feel disappointed and angry at Adam’s response to this situation. It definitely left a lot to be desired.

I also agree that Adam doesn’t know how lucky he is. [Note: what follows may completely miss your point. You may be talking about the accepting family/community Adam's been raised in, or etc--I have no idea--these are just some of my own thoughts on the matter.] He’s part of a generation of young gay people who haven’t had to fight for a lot of the acceptance that the older generations have fought for, and therefore takes a lot for granted. (Same with younger women and their attitudes towards feminism/ the women’s rights movement, but I won’t go into that).

Although I think that gay people of my generation still have to deal with a lot, the prevailing attitude is that they want to live their lives with their sexuality as a non-issue, that it’s a part of them but not the defining factor of their identity. I read an interesting article about how major activist events, such as the march on Washington, are more supported by older parts of the community than younger. In a way, just the fact that some younger gay people are even able to strive for that ideal, to live with their sexuality as a non-issue or a small one, is due to the advances that their predecessors have fought for. So… it’s a good thing and a bad thing.

ETA It’s kind of upsetting me that I can’t talk about this subject without generalizing a lot…ugh. But it is what it is.

BestAI

Really, both sides can pull up those arguments till the cows come home. No real point to go in circles about it.

ETA: Here’s a funny note’ ¦to me, anyway’ ¦everyone dogpiled on the HIV issue so much that they totally missed that the much deeper reason I am pissed has to do with my actor friends who don’t have Adam’s luck. Really, Adam has no idea how lucky he is, and he has no right to hold down anyone who wants to try and shine a light on something that might pass that luck on to someone else.

Wow. Just wow. Adam has been paying dues since he was 19 years old. His “luck” is from hard work and extraordinary talent. What an odd comment.

P.S. Adamaloha, you said it better, but great minds think alike!

And I think that this just means that people are even less likely to come out, and one less person to possibly bridge between the GLBTQ communities and the straight ones.

After seeing this mess if I were a gay entertainer who was still in the closet you wouldn’t be able to blast me out of that closet with a cannon. Life is short enough as it is.

love that dancer audition video – he is so adorable. and if his worst nightmares are indeed coming true with all the hatred and bigotry thrown his way, at least he gets to see some dreams come true too!

erinnthered: Really, Adam has no idea how lucky he is, and he has no right to hold down anyone who wants to try and shine a light on something that might pass that luck on to someone else.

So if you were Adam, what would you have done? How would you have handled this situation?

(By the way, I am genuinely interested — not trying to goad or snark. You have been very critical of Adam, so just curious how you think he should have handled this.)

USA Today article on Adam:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-11-18-lambert18_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

You know what’s so sad about all this? All Adam wants to do is be an entertainer. He happens to be gay, but he wants to just sing and dance and act.
If he weren’t gay, this conversation would not even be going on. It must get so tiring for him. I don’t know how he does it!

After seeing this mess if I were a gay entertainer who was still in the closet you wouldn’t be able to blast me out of that closet with a cannon. Life is short enough as it is.

Yes, Natasha, my thoughts exactly!

What’s disappointing to me is that I think both Adam and the reporter did a fabulous job with that article. I found it insightful and interesting, and I’m still impressed that Adam has no fear of being so candid. He shared so much of himself in that piece, and I think it’s a brave thing to leave yourself so open and vulnerable.

And yet, all of that is overshadowed by bitchy editor’s letters, self-serving reporter blogs filled with late to the party indignation, and a whole lot of other bullshit rhetoric.

I found it insightful and interesting, and I’m still impressed that Adam has no fear of being so candid. He shared so much of himself in that piece, and I think it’s a brave thing to leave yourself so open and vulnerable.

Yes. That interview was freaking amazing. I was going to post about it and the parts that I found especially great, but got caught up in this whole drama. It’s too bad that the positive messages conveyed in that interview will be overshadowed by all this, but…it is what it is, I guess. For the record though–I also loved the interview

Hicklin was trying to back him into a corner ‘” ‘don’t screw this up’  ‘” and Adam had a right to say ‘you don’t get to make that decision for me.’ 

This just about sums the entire debacle up for me! Well said.

The ‘It’s def not that deep” is not Adam being naive. It is Adam’s making his own choice about what is or isn’t important to him. His very perogative, just as it would be mine, frankly. And to suggest that he should take it more seriously is more of the projecting to which he refers.

To me, Adam’s Twitter response doesn’t read like it was written in a fit of pique at all. I found it to be quite measured, obviously pointed and patently appropriate!!

Okay, I’m responding. Sorry I have not read the millions of other comments due to lack of time and working requirements that will not be accomplished if I sit here and do just that.

This whole damn thing is a game of cat and mouse on everyone’s side and it completely comes off as childish.

Adam’s management may have been/are idiotic with the “too gay” comment to the magazine. But my opinion of 19 is low to begin with so no surprise that they’re being their typical asshat selves.

Hickin’s response however, was in poor taste. If he had so much beef over Adam’s management then handle it in the proper manner, not posting it after a great interview in your magazine where other people can read it painting Adam in a bad light.

But in the same respect, Adam’s retaliation on Twitter was even more classless. He could have taken the higher road and chose not to. Instead he puts it on the lowest road possible, twitter, where everyone will see it. Guess what Adam, it is that deep because you just made it that way by doing that.

This is going to leave a bad taste in people’s mouths whether he wants it to or not, and at this point I do feel some people are going to get fed up with his constant plight with his sexuality being a focus whereas most people haven’t really heard a lick from him musically. He doesn’t need to win over us fans, we’re already won over.

Comments like that make him pompous. Comments like that are going to alienate people, which he might not care about now, but he might if they aren’t buying his album.

The magazine is a spotlight for YOUR career Adam, not the other way around. I wish he stop pretending he is something(as great as I think his album is) he’s not.

Give it time and let people like your music and not your constant news about your sexuality.

“If she and Hicklin has such a problem with it, they should have personally taken it up with Adam’s management…”

I believe Hicklin isn’t being entirely truthful about what Adam’s mgmt told him about the cover. I imagine Adam was contractually prohibited from appearing alone on the cover of OUT (and other mags) within a certain period of time from his Details cover. It’s not uncommon for that to be a contractual condition. If that is the case and it very well might be, I hesitate to believe, at face value, any of his claims.

Also, I’d never presume to know someone enough (not even my husband of the last 25 years) to speak for them. Adam’s the only one who can decide what’s deep and what’ s not relative to this issue.

With all due respect, we’re all pretty much strangers here in an anonymous capacity. Neither you nor I have any clue the way in which most of the posters on this thread have come to their conclusions. We do not in fact know anything about anyone else’s background here.

I don’t personally think you’re a homophobe. But reasonably speaking, for people who don’t know you and aren’t familiar with your past posts, ‘shallow queen’  might strike them as a homophobic phrase. A newbie here would really have no way of knowing that phrase didn’t come from a bad place.

Everyone here has a right to their opinion. They have the right to believe that the Editor is the asshole, or that Adam’s handlers are, or that even Adam himself may be engaging in assholery. But I don’t think any of us has the right to assume what other’s motives are.

Insinuating that someone is delusional or blinded by obessive fangirl love is just an underhanded way of trying to marginalize their opinion because it is different from one’s own.

I thought this thread today contained a lot of reasoned debate, and a pretty healthy discussion. I don’t agree with all of the posters on this thread, but that doesn’t give me the right to go off on them either.

This is true to an extent, and honestly, when I posted that I was very angry, but while I agree that they don’t know me, and could misconstrue it, I disagree that we are all complete strangers. Each post doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Look at the girl who tried to discredit me by taking a single word out of a long post from more than a week ago. Literally, just the word. That wasn’t the substance of the use of the word at all.

Plus, It’s not like I just posted that he was a “shallow queen” and that was it. In the context of my full response to Adam, I’m still not sure where it made a lot of sense to scream “homophobe.”

Even when I’m not posting in a thread I read the responses, and I have seen plenty of accusations that made my toes curl. My statement was based on actions I’ve seen by people in this thread. It just probably didn’t need to be vocalized.

I’m not surprised if it wasn’t totally clear…again with the anger in my first response….but I did explain in later posts. There’s not a lot more that I can do. You can’t un-ring a bell, and as far my response to Adam, I have no desire to. IMO, he has a lot of learning to do. Nobody made him do all of these interviews about his sexuality. If he wants to discuss it he needs to own it, and the responsibility that comes with it. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

The fact is, he did tweet this publicly, and he used his standard response too. It betrayed very little thought on his part. You can go on about the second tweet, but that seemed like an afterthought to me. If you wanted to have a conversation, then go have it. Don’t tweet about it. No, he wanted to get people talking. He wanted attention. He’s done this many times before, and always the same script…It’s not that deep…but let me add something not totally shallow…oh, thank you! Nice to see that someone gets it. And on, and on. Over and over. It’s over alright.

The ‘It’s def not that deep’  is not Adam being naive.

It’s not that deep was Adam’s response to the original editor’s allegations about Adam’s Details shoot being with a woman instead of a man, and his refusing to appear in Out during the AI season.

The interviewer’s comments about what Adam’s management said came later, AFTER the fan reaction to the editor’s open letter. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s very likely that Adam was responding to the stuff I described above, not the issue in its entirety which includes the comments made by his management about the Out photo shoot not being “too gay.” He probably didn’t know about that before he tweeted.

But still. Very badly thought out, easily misinterpreted comment. He shouldn’t have posted that.

Specifically I was discouraged from asking about the March on Washington that upcoming weekend or other political topics.

I’m sure Adam was aware of this part at least. He’s said multiple times that he does NOT want to become a political figure in any way. And that’s his right.

I wonder what is behind the catfights with some in the gay community and Adam? From Clay Aiken to many gay owned sites to Michael Musto to Perez Hilton. What is going on?

I support what Adam said in his tweets. I won’t bother elaborating. It’s pointless to do so here.

Give it time and let people like your music and not your constant news about your sexuality.

One kettle calling one pot black. This is the whole point. Adam wants to sing and be an entertainer and OUT wants him to be the next messiah for the Gay ’cause. I think someone has the whole issue backwards.

After seeing this mess if I were a gay entertainer who was still in the closet you wouldn’t be able to blast me out of that closet with a cannon. Life is short enough as it is.

ITA. It seems that the gay community is just as vicious to openly gay preformers as the straight community. Why would anybody come out and face this if they didn’t have to?

When has Adam EVER “not owned” his gayness? I do not understand the people who are mad at him instead of his management team. THEY were the ones who asked OUT to rein it in; doesn’t mean Adam was aware of it. Frankly, Adam’s as gay as he wants to be and he has the right to be as in the closet or as out of the closet as he chooses. No one gets that choice for him. It’s sad that many gays feel they have to stay in the closet, but that’s their choice and Adam shouldn’t have to be the “gay messiah.”
Hicklin’s blog was pretty underhanded. Adam’s tweet was a good response and definitely NOT classless.

“It seems that the gay community is just as vicious to openly gay preformers as the straight community”

Actually most gay people love Ellen, Elton, Melissa Ethridge and Boy George.

Maybe it’s the “i am bi-curious” thing that upsets some gay people? I don’t know, but gay people love almost all other gay entertainers. Gay people also gave Clay a bad time because he was carrying on like he WASN’T gay.

Honestly, many in the community can’t stand for anyone gay to be embraced by the nation at large, no matter what we say to the contrary. I think it’s the fact that they feel that if they are miserable and treated like shit, then how dare others not be as well. So they search for anything they can to bring that person down.

Everything they say, do, wear becomes scrutinized to a microscopic level and blown out of proportion so that the bitching ones can say “see! they aren’t so great.” And they drag the hopefuls down by claiming they aren’t really gay, or as gay as they should be so as to further prove how they don’t “deserve” to be a part of the community or even acknowledge.

If any gay artist wants to keep their “creditability”with the community, they have to remain relatively unknown and only marginally successful so as to not stand out enough to be liked by straight people.

He could have taken the higher road and chose not to.

Do you always go that route yourself? I know I don’t. Therefore, I find it hard to expect others to, especially when publicly called out in a diatribe that is awesome in its’ ridiculousness and its’ “I am going to smile at you before I eat you” speciousness.

erinn – you have every right to your opinion, and I have no desire to try and convince you otherwise. Adam Lambert doesn’t pay my bills, so I don’t give a rat’s ass who does or does not buy his cd LOL. My only interest in responding was that sometimes I think we should all be very careful how we use the general “you” around these parts. Odds are that there are a lot of posters here who formed their views on the civil rights of gay American’s long before they ever heard Adam sing a note.

I understand being angry and sometimes things don’t come out the way we mean them. Happens to me all the time. I also understand your comments about the “vacuum”, and I think I’ve been clear on the fact that I have no use for excessive fantardary.

I wasn’t trying to attack you or join any kind of dog pile. My intent is strictly to point out that sometimes we all need to take a step back and realize that there are more than one or two people in these threads at a time

I think Adam did the right thing by tweeting. Of course, he would be criticized for WHATEVER he wrote and also criticized if he kept silent. It shows his strength of character to me that he is willing to address this at all (knowing everything he could say on the subject would be ripped apart by somebody).

By speaking up and speaking what’s on his mind about the situation in a short, direct manner he is stating publicly that he will not be used as a pawn.

I’m sure he thought a LOT about what to write – does not seem thoughtless to me at all. With few words, he is conveying that all artists are subject to the “marketing machine” right or wrong. Seems clear to me that he and his management have a unique and uncharted marketing challenge here – perhaps they made mistakes but he’s NOT addressing that – only saying that the mag is subject to dubious marketing tactics as well.

In the second tweet, he “calls out” the Editor for publishing this as a letter rather than contacting Adam directly. He didn’t even give Adam a chance to address it – that’s clearly what Adam is saying here. And I agree with Adam, why should ANYONE have the right to direct how much or little an artist wants to use their career to forward a civil rights cause.

The ONLY complimentary thing I can see from A. Hicklin’s letter is that somehow he thinks Adam is already a huge star and someone that can further the cause, before he’s even released his album!

I wonder what is behind the catfights with some in the gay community and Adam? From Clay Aiken to many gay owned sites to Michael Musto to Perez Hilton. What is going on?

This is what I don’t understand, too. And why did the gay community support Kris on Idol and not Adam who they “knew” to be gay.

I have not a clue….it just reminds me of what happened with the women’s lib issue. Everyone was clamoring for advancement for women….but once women became bosses the women under her did everything in their power to knock her off her perch. YMMV

What’s disappointing to me is that I think both Adam and the reporter did a fabulous job with that article. I found it insightful and interesting, and I’m still impressed that Adam has no fear of being so candid. He shared so much of himself in that piece, and I think it’s a brave thing to leave yourself so open and vulnerable.

I totally agree. I had such a profound response to that article, and then yesterday as I was reading the comment section the editor note and Michael Musto’s comments came to light. It turned the entire coversation around.

Erinnthered, I responded to you in anger because I’ve read many of your comments over the last several months and it was like salt in the wounds. I mostly just keep away from situations where I have a personal reaction because I am an emotional person. This topic is very personal to me. I do apologize for the homophobic remark but it’s a very slippery slope to many of the things you have said to assume that. Since I don’t know you, it could just be the way you talk. I’ve used the word queen before, so touche`. We will just agree to disagree, it’s obvious that you see Adam one way. You have that right. Even if you are wrong. I won’t jump to so many conclusions about you, even if you are doing it about him. Wrong is wrong. It’s funny though, you can get personal and it’s simply anecdotal, but when others do it, it’s just wrong. We just won’t agree. I won’t even try, it’s really not that……complex.

edit: No need to rebut, I edited the poster who was lecturing you

Reminder:

I’m watching this thread.

DIAL BACK THE ANGER. And lay off the personal insults.

Actually most gay people love Ellen, Elton, Melissa Ethridge and Boy George.

Really, even they have had they’re rough times. Ellen and Elton both had the whole closet thing as well. Elton claimed to be bi for many years (I understand why, but not as many are so understanding). Melissa isn’t wildly popular among the masses (though she certainly does well for herself) and had that wonderful scandal during election season when she was called a traitor and sellout for speaking favorably of Rick Warren. And Boy George, well, that guy has been a joke for years, and quite frankly, it’s his own fault considering his behavior as of late.

Don’t get me wrong, the first three have done great considering what they have had to do, but none have been free of criticism, even though they might not have deserved it.

It seems that the gay community is just as vicious to openly gay preformers as the straight community.

I don’t really see the actions by the editor as vicious. To me it was more selfish and opportunitstic.

And, I still don’t think that there is this implied “group think” in the gay community. Heck, not even the gay people on this very thread agreed with each other today.

Even with what we’ve seen lately, I find it a stretch to declare that an entire community is unsupportive of Adam.

Wow again. While Adam definitely has some phrases that he uses over and over (the “you smell great!” comment to women reporters comes to mind,) I think for a two twitter comment, this response is well thought out and says a lot.

Analysis:

Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill!
Adam’s stock phrase for people he thinks aren’t being cool. Adam (evidently) hates it when people overreact.

Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine.
Adam is acknowledging that there was a purpose for the editoral letter. This is not phrased impolitely.

U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine.
Adam is VERY politely giving Aaron an out, stating that Aaron’s impoliteness towards Adam was forced by the needs of the marketplace

Until we have a meaningful conversation,
Adam indicates that he would like to have a meaningful conversation in the future…

perhaps
Perhaps is defined as “used when making a polite request, offer or suggestion….

you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

This is the most impressive part of the twitter to me. Only a well educated person would use the word projecting in this manner. Projecting is defined as “the unconscious transfer of one’s desires or emotions to another person” This is also the most strongly worded part of the twitter, but still polite. Adam is asking Aaron to stop placing his (and Out magazine’s) desires onto HIS career and life.

To say that these two twitters betrayed little thought is just wrong. He may not have taken a lot of time to compose this, but that is because Adam is EXTREMELY articulate, and quick.

I believe that he tweeted this publicly because Aaron’s letter was public, and also because he wanted the fans to see it. I just love him for this.

NOW can we enjoy that GREAT interview and the MUSIC!!!!!

This is what I don’t understand, too. And why did the gay community support Kris on Idol and not Adam who they ‘knew’  to be gay.

Maybe some Gay people voted for Kris because they saw him as the underdog and getting a raw deal by 19e. Many in the Gay community sympathize with the underdog, being the underdog in many situations in this society. So maybe they felt that Kris was the underdog and could sympathize with the situation he was going through and sided with him?

Or maybe cuz Kris is so damn cute.

One kettle calling one pot black. This is the whole point. Adam wants to sing and be an entertainer and OUT wants him to be the next messiah for the Gay ’cause. I think someone has the whole issue backwards

I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. OUT isn’t looking for a gay messiah. They’re just looking for Adam to own up to situation he put himself in. He totally could have pulled an NPH or a David Hyde Pierce and made it all about his work instead of his personal life, but he chose to make his personal life an issue, and now he needs to deal with that.

In this case, they weren’t even calling out Adam. Adam didn’t even need to respond publicly. This was about his management. If all Adam had said was that he was aware of the issue, and that it was being discussed, no one would have cared. Instead he dismisses it, and with it allows 19 to get away with exactly the kind of behavior that hurts gay entertainers. It was very self-centered.

I totally agree that there is a double standard, and I see people fighting it all the time. Take the recent situation with Matt Bomer. I think it got a lot of people talking in a good way, and thankfully doesn’t seem to have hurt his career.

I don’t see how this will effect some kid in Kansas, but I can see how it might hurt Matt Bomer, and plenty of other people in his situation who have just been lucky not to have an ex with assholes for friends.

This is what I don’t understand, too. And why did the gay community support Kris on Idol and not Adam who they ‘knew’  to be gay.

Honestly? I hate to say it, but most of what I saw was “Kris is cuter.”
The rest claimed Adam was a coward for not saying he was gay outright and waving pride flags, with only a minor few I saw claiming music style. However, I will state that those who claimed music style, were supportive of Adam being successful even if he wasn’t their cuppa.

I wonder what is behind the catfights with some in the gay community and Adam? From Clay Aiken to many gay owned sites to Michael Musto to Perez Hilton. What is going on?

In a nutshell that is very shallow: It’s a division between generations, between philosophies and between personal experiences due in large part to the massive cultural changes that have already occurred giving gay people much greater acceptance in recent years. Society has been changing so quickly that many younger people and urban people feel the fight needs to be fought differently than the original leaders of the movement that have worked so hard to bring it so far. Combine that with confusion/disagreement within the community as to what being gay means and a portion of which have an intolerance toward proudly effeminate men because they feel they are undermining the advances that have been made by shoving their gayness in peoples faces and feel they should straighten up their act instead of being self indulgent. Contrast them with people like Adam that grew up in a time and place and with a family that accepted him such that he feels the confidence to be who he is let people take or leave him. There are many other issues at stake but that’s a small glimpse into the cauldron that is brewing internally inside the gay community.

This is one reason why I think it was such a shame that attention was taken away from Adam’s interview because his opinions on how gay men should own their effemininity, among other things, would have created a great opportunity for social discourse by Out’s readership.

Hicklin was an ass publicly and I am glad that Adam smacked him down publicly. That aside, the interview was lovely. Adam breaks my heart with his willingness to expose his vulnerabilities. His comments on the gay community were very insightful but I thought even he felt a little hopeless.

I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. OUT isn’t looking for a gay messiah. They’re just looking for Adam to own up to situation he put himself in. He totally could have pulled an NPH or a David Hyde Pierce and made it all about his work instead of his personal life, but he chose to make his personal life an issue, and now he needs to deal with that.

In this case, they weren’t even calling out Adam. Adam didn’t even need to respond publicly. This was about his management. If all Adam had said was that he was aware of the issue, and that it was being discussed, no one would have cared. Instead he dismisses it, and with it allows 19 to get away with exactly the kind of behavior that hurts gay entertainers. It was very self-centered.

thank you erinnthered. This is exactly what I was trying to get across you just did it more eloquently.

Sometimes saying nothing would have been the best response, but instead I do feel Adam added fuel to the fire, and maybe in the world outside of the internet when his album drops it won’t matter a lick, but I guess we’ll find out.

This is what I don’t understand, too. And why did the gay community support Kris on Idol and not Adam who they ‘knew’  to be gay.

From my experiences, and my experiences being from the few gay friends I have and the people I work with who are gay, most of them lead a more “normal” lifestyle than say Adam with his flamboyant lifestyle(and I’m not meaning flamboyant in a bad way) and Kris was just was so much more attainable, down home guy. I think sometimes just because you are gay doesn’t mean you have to like everyone/everything that is GAY. Sometimes I think just liking the sweet guy who plays good music is more the norm than supporting Adam just because he is gay. He isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, gay or not.

Instead he dismisses it, and with it allows 19 to get away with exactly the kind of behavior that hurts gay entertainers. It was very self-centered.

“Allows 19 to get away with their behavior?” Adam doesn’t have that much power. Regardless of his opinions, or of any articles written by any magazine, 19 will operate the way 19 operates. They may issue a stock statement about addressing the issue at most, but behind the scenes? You’re fooling yourself to think that Adam’s response will affect 19′s decisions regarding their marketing of gay entertainers.

And does this hurt gay entertainers? Not really. It benefits them to appeal more to the mainstream, and in the end mainstream success of gay entertainers will benefit the gay community. There CAN be an argument made that this kind of attitude towards marketing gay entertainers hurts the gay rights movement, which I’d disagree with, but at least there is a case, but as for hurting the careers of gay entertainers? Not at all. Or only when editors choose to be deliberate bitches and create artificially inflated drama over it.

My English may not proper, but I felt the gay community in US is the very segregated society that has its unique mind-set with very closed view to me. And I think it’s big nonsense, a very laughing matter that one of them who lives in that closed society cozily criticized openly one of them who just has courageously stepped into the mass music business, the real pop culture outside the underground gay culture. Adam could have lived comfortably in West Hollywood with moderate income, but he has guts to challenge the outside world.

We have a long history of gay culture in Japan, for example hundreds years ago the feudal lords, or the top samurais usually had pretty pages ( in Adams word, swagger) by their sides. And one the late kabuki actors who was our national treasure was apparently gay and there are a lot of artists who are gay here. So I may have no business to say about it.

Personally I think gay is not different from lefty at all, very natural, but the population is so small comparing with lefty that gay people often get discrimination, politics and religion use them as their enemy to promote their policy, so sad.

Also I think Adam has not need to respond to those critics, his answer is just his performance, his singing!

His presence as one of entertainers in the big business itself opens the closed mind and helps other struggling gay people.
Hope the day will come soon in US that everybody accepts him one of the entertainers, not a gay singer.

the editor of out is goading adam, not his management company, into taking the fight public. he threw down the glove. brilliant PR move on his part – drums up lots and lots of attention (witness this thread). but adam walked right into the trap. imo, he had three options:
1. keep it totally private (even if he or his mgmt team responded to out)
2. tweet that he did (or will) speak to the editor privately, and is not going to be coerced into responding via a public forum
3. tweet that the editor of out appears to have more of an argument with the mgmt team and that, as with point 2, it will be handled privately as he is not going to be goaded into a public brawl.

his actual tweet was not well thought out. just because the editor chose to try to sucker adam into a response, doesn’t mean that adam has to reply in the same way.

To say that these two twitters betrayed little thought is just wrong. He may not have taken a lot of time to compose this, but that is because Adam is EXTREMELY articulate, and quick.

YEA THIS!!! One of things I love about this man is his ability to use both the vernacular of his peers (sick, chill, like etc) and blend it with some choice words of another more sophisticated ilk: post-modern, nebulous, accoutrements to name a very few.

This post-modern age future superstar, with his many stylized accoutrements is not not perceived by this aficiando to fit the image of one of consistantly nebulous intellect. </em

He may be lighthearted and young at times, but he's no flake.

Instead he dismisses it, and with it allows 19 to get away with exactly the kind of behavior that hurts gay entertainers. It was very self-centered

I’m sorry…I haven’t heard one piece of evidentiary proof that 19 made the exact comments that OUT insinuated that they did. You have a magazine with a very large agenda bringing to task a PR team that is watching out for what they are considering the best interests of their client. And because OUT preseumably took offense to what they PERCEIVED as an anti Gay agenda they lashed out without giving 19 and especially Adam an opportunity to “set the record straight”.

Based on everything that we have seen from 19 up to this point I believe, whole heartedly, that OUT overstepped their boundaries and not the other way around. If OUT felt that 19s requests were out of line they should have just said thanks, but no thanks we’ll have someone else more gay friendly in our issue.

From my experiences, and my experiences being from the few gay friends I have and the people I work with who are gay, most of them lead a more ‘normal’  lifestyle than say Adam with his flamboyant lifestyle(and I’m not meaning flamboyant in a bad way) and Kris was just was so much more attainable, down home guy. I think sometimes just because you are gay doesn’t mean you have to like everyone/everything that is GAY. Sometimes I think just liking the sweet guy who plays good music is more the norm than supporting Adam just because he is gay. He isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, gay or not.

I also heard that from some Gay people. That Adam was waaaay to over the top. Some Gay people don’t like people who appear to be “over the top”, straight or gay, and are drawn to down-to-earth laid back types.

I work 47 hrs a week as a nurse and many other countless hrs as a mother, daughter, Catholic and many many roles…during my OFF time i like to listen to music, blog etc FOR MY ENTERTAINMENT. I don’t crusade every waking moment for patient rights, religious or social issues. I don’t expect Adam to either! it is called FOR.YOUR.ENTERTAINMENT. for a reason

What’s disappointing to me is that I think both Adam and the reporter did a fabulous job with that article. I found it insightful and interesting, and I’m still impressed that Adam has no fear of being so candid. He shared so much of himself in that piece, and I think it’s a brave thing to leave yourself so open and vulnerable.

And yet, all of that is overshadowed by bitchy editor’s letters, self-serving reporter blogs filled with late to the party indignation, and a whole lot of other bullshit rhetoric.

Ah, I think we literally see this in complete opposite. I think Adam needs a filter. I’m not saying his responses aren’t interesting, but I do think that maybe he would do better to not be as candid as he is. Or maybe, to be candid about different things. Especially since he so clearly doesn’t want his sexuality to be an issue. He doth protest too much.

I found the editor’s letter to be pretty bold and refreshing. It seemed clear to me that he wasn’t attacking Adam, but the 19 machine. That letter was to the gay community to let them know that this company that runs a show that a lot of gay people love so much would treat it’s first openly gay star so poorly. People should know about that kind of thing. If it had been a race or religion issue I’m not sure there would even be a question about it. (I’m not touching that black/ gay argument with a million foot pole. This is a separate reference.)

Bloggers feed on outrage. That’ll never change. I just think that some of it may actually be warranted here, IMHO.

dot_jp, you’re right, there is a big disconnect, most of it comes from the very different way the two cultures have treated gays. In Nihon, it’s been part of society for centuries as you have stated, but in American and European societies gays have been pretty much villainized; institutionalized, imprisoned or just murdered. It’s still fairly new concept to treat us as humans with any right to live.

It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is.

adam walked right into the trap. imo, he had three options:

I don`t think it is that deep.

He was bullied. He reacted. And I actually thought it was quite measured.

Just as many of the people on this very site do every single day, despite MJ`s valiant efforts to the contrary.

I, personally, would never dream of expecting Adam to live up to standards that are beyond what I struggle with sometimes.

dot_Jp-

I just love your post! Your English is great!

The only thing my post said was that I disagree with and am angry with him, and am bothered that more people here are not. Why the need to project? Why be so defensive?

I said it other posts, on several topics, and these days almost always seemingly to the hard core fanbase of Adam Lambet, but think what you like, but I am going to disagree. And in this case, it will change my opinion of you. If you are so confident in your opinion, then why do you care?

I don’t think I’m being defensive, and I’m certainly not trying to change your mind, hardcore Adam fan though I am. I won’t break mj’s rules and presume to tell you what you think or your motivations, but it seems pretty clear to me that you’re not going to change your mind. But I still feel okay with saying with how I disagree with what you’ve said, even if that doesn’t change your mind, because that is allowed in mj’s rule. And you can do the same for me, which is also in the rules and which I have zero problem with.

I have no problem with calling out Adam when I don’t agree with him, and I certainly don’t agree with him all the time, so I say so. So I’m totally cool with being disappointed with Adam’s response to this. Totally valid, I myself while I saw the emotional motivation of it, and probable history, still thought it was poorly done. So I for one welcome our Adam hating overlords, wait I mean I really do understand not liking Adam’s response here and being disappointed. Like I said, I thought it was poorly thought out and worded with the first one, even though I think the second is also typical of his secondary thought process. I see why sometimes we all of us can get emotional when we see things that push our buttons and we can react emotionally, with anger, pissiness and perhaps, not thinking things out as rationally as we probably should. Adam needs to work on that.

However, I don’t expect to like everything anyone does and as I have, unlike you who thinks Adam is a shallow queen (sorry to keep harping, but you DID say it and dismiss Adam with it, so it’s valid). I’ve also seen him give many more very non-shallow, and very thoughtful answers in a variety of venues. RS, even the malinged Details shoot,and various TV and print interviews about his sexuality and I think, been not only honest, but opened some minds as well.

So for me to really dismiss everything else that Adam has said that is genuinely confronting the ideas of homophobia and how he tries to be as open as he can, just for somethings he says when he gets emotional/defensive, is not thing I personally am willing to do, YMMV and that’s valid as well.

Bottomline, yes, badly worded and responded to by Adam with that first Tweet, but I’ve already said why I think he probably would do so. On the other hand some really well-worded very in-depth and yes, insightful talk about being gay and openly so in many different venues and many different ways by him, against that. So why would I disregard all the rest of his reasoned responses for maybe one or two, Tweets of all things?! where he wasn’t reasoned? Even his other Tweet seemed fairly reasoned to me, which was that if Aaron had a problem with him, he should have discussed it with him and he resented Aaron putting his agenda on Adam without doing so.

But if Aaron and the author were so offended by the conditions, why didn’t they talk to Adam about them? Oh wait, let me guess, they were following them so they could get Adam on the cover to sell more magazines, and/or leverage that, as mj has said, to drum up interest/controversy about it, but not enough to stop the cover or interview or talk to Adam about it first. I can see why Adam, to me rightly, said they WERE caring about marketing first and yes, they WERE using Adam to do so. Otherwise don’t have him on the cover. Otherwise they would have talked to Adam about it privately, instead of blindsiding him in a public forum and blaming HIM about it. Otherwise make their justified letter not TO Adam a week before his album drops, which of course, get more exposure and hits for them.

So yeah, I don’t think the issue isn’t just that some aren’t bothered by Adam’s response. I for one and others think the first Tweet was dismissive (and dumb). I just don’t agree with the rest of his entitled shallow queendom and sucking assigned to Adam for that given the totality of his other work and given that we are all emotional and imperfect creatures. I forgive much more Adam’s response from that emotional place (though again, have problems with it) than I do the calculated dickery I see from Hicklin and the author.

But in the end, it’s all YMMV and that’s cool too.

Thanks for all the discussions here, it’s shows a lot on how people are reacting to the adam storm….it is really interesting to see so many POVs here, learning a lot…

I hope at the end of this all, those who got stressed/pissed/enlightened will still support Adam one way or another in his career because he really is serious about his music. But if there are those who have decided not to support him because of this incident, peace and light to you still =)

rock on Adam!! only a few days left….

So many eloquent, thoughtful posts in support of Adam (too many names to mention but, abbysee, yours stand out). I would add my 2 cents but you all have covered the ground so well. Thank you.

What to do? What to do? Well, upon reflection I decided to go out and pre-order a few more Adam albums (I have many names on my holiday list, you know) to make up for those handful of “fans” who were offended by Adam’s tweets and have now decided to boycott his album. There, I effectively nullified those cancellations. I feel better now.

Ah, I think we literally see this in complete opposite. I think Adam needs a filter.

Funny, that lack of filter is one of the things I love about Adam. But, as he says, it’s not for everyone

He’s part of a generation of young gay people who haven’t had to fight for a lot of the acceptance that the older generations have fought for, and therefore takes a lot for granted.

If only this were true… People are still judging, calling Adam horrible names, just look at the comments on the blogs and YouTube, hatred is rampant. Adam almost got turned away from Idol at his audition – “too theatrical” was code for “too gay” IMHO. Adam has worked his butt off for years and now this? What a load of crap he has to put up with. Every day is a struggle of sorts and I highly doubt Adam takes anything for granted because he’s earned everything he has achieved whether it is making music or the freedom to date whomever he wants.

Now, for crying out loud LET THE KID SING! Kudos to you LaurelG, now that’s a revolution I can support 100%!!!

Mitla96-agree with your analysis of Adam’s tweet

you should refrain from projecting your publications’ agenda onto my career.

This is the most impressive part of the twitter to me. Only a well educated person would use the word projecting in this manner. Projecting is defined as ‘the unconscious transfer of one’s desires or emotions to another person’  This is also the most strongly worded part of the twitter, but still polite. Adam is asking Aaron to stop placing his (and Out magazine’s) desires onto HIS career and life.

Thanks for all the discussions here, it shows a lot on how people are reacting to the adam storm….it is really interesting to see so many POVs here, learning a lot…

I hope at the end of this all, those who got stressed/pissed/enlightened will still support Adam one way or another in his career because he really is serious about his music. But if there are those who have decided not to support him because of this incident, peace and light to you still =)

rock on Adam!! only a few days left….

In a nutshell that is very shallow: It’s a division between generations, between philosophies and between personal experiences due in large part to the massive cultural changes that have already occurred giving gay people much greater acceptance in recent years. Society has been changing so quickly that many younger people and urban people feel the fight needs to be fought differently than the original leaders of the movement that have worked so hard to bring it so far.

Awesome post!

Dot_jp, your opinion is valid and appreciated.

It’s all a result of pure simple ole jealousy! How dare this gay Adam Lambert decide all on his own to handle his sexuality any damn way he pleases, without checking in with the entire gay community. He made the mistake of being drop dead gorgeous, has god given talent that he has worked hard to nurture to otherworldy levels, and here’s the clincher, has a family that totally and completely supports him. Supports him to the point that he has been able to embrace both sides of himself. He was able to come out early in the safest way possible (I just love his family for this). He has achieved clarity about his sexuality and now it is just part of him, he is ready to just be…..he doesn’t need or want the drama (queens).

Especially since he so clearly doesn’t want his sexuality to be an issue. He doth protest too much.

Adam HAS NEVER DENIED HIS SEXUALITY. And this is not an issue about his sexuality. Adam is gay. He isn’t hiding the fact that he is gay. That story ends there. But what Adam doesn’t want is to be a spokesperson for the gay cause. He wants to be an ENTERTAINER who is gay…NOT a GAY entertainer who is an icon for the cause.

He was probably thrilled to be asked to be interviewed by OUT magazine and he gave a wonderful heartfelt interview. But OUT wanted more…and when they didn’t get it they held 19 and Adam up as whipping boys. And at that I cry foul!

That letter was to the gay community to let them know that this company that runs a show that a lot of gay people love so much would treat it’s first openly gay star so poorly.

But this is not necessarily the case!!! In fact, Adam has said to the contrary. He has dialogue, he has artistic input. He was able to tweak lyrics and arrangement. He also says he is glad 19E is so invested in him. He has repeatedly said he is not a puppet and that 19 are not puppeteers and just look at the album cover for an example. It is not a commercial winner, but part of what Adam wanted.

How do we know for a fact that it wasn`t Adam himself who at one time or another suggested to his publicist: Hey, you know, I don`t want to answer questions about this or that. Can you set this up please`?

All this stuff about 19E treating Adam badly or wrongly is speculation.

And what about the ‘don`t let us down’ pressure the Editor forced on Adam? I don’t find that particularly refreshing at all. It is a sort of ultimatum, isn’t it?

sorry about the double post, i wanted to edit “it’s” to “it”…but I can’t hence the double posting, I can’t seem to delete the wrong post either. sorry MJ..

I found the editor’s letter to be pretty bold and refreshing. It seemed clear to me that he wasn’t attacking Adam, but the 19 machine.

I would have found it bold and refreshing if they had refused to do the interview under 19′s terms. Clearly though, their desire to have Adam in their magazine outweighed their need to take a stand for their cause.

It’s the taking the stand AFTER Adam gave them an honest, and thoroughly un-white-washed interview that I find disengenuous and opportunistic.

Like I said, I think the conversation definitely has a place in our society. And, the points they made were valid. But, the editor did go down that slippery slope of painting Adam with the brush he was trying to use on the management.

And, I find their “shock” at a PR representative trying to craft an image or control a brand out there in the land of illusion laughably naive. It’s what those people are paid to do. I somehow doubt it’s the first time this has happened. Adam’s just the lightning rod persona they chose to pin this one on.

They’re just looking for Adam to own up to situation he put himself in.

Adam put himself in a situation where he is involved in an industry that is blatantly homophobic? Adam? How dare you?

I don`t think it is that deep.

He was bullied. He reacted. And I actually thought it was quite measured.

But I guess my question is should he have reacted? I feel this just truly adds more fuel to the fire. I can understand the desire in wanting to, but sometimes in the public eye, isn’t it better to let your management team(after all that is what you have them for, right?) handle the situations?

I admire Adam’s candidness, especially in interviews, but sometimes a little bit of humility might go a long way, especially when this is just pushing the envelope even more and not in his favor.

dot_jp
for example hundreds years ago the feudal lords, or the top samurais usually had pretty pages ( in Adams word, swagger) by their sides.

Thank you….I just saw the Samurai exhibit in NYC at the Met Museum and I thought, these guys were so glam, over the top! The helmets are outrageous!

erinnthered
I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. OUT isn’t looking for a gay messiah. They’re just looking for Adam to own up to situation he put himself in. He totally could have pulled an NPH or a David Hyde Pierce and made it all about his work instead of his personal life, but he chose to make his personal life an issue, and now he needs to deal with that.

Yes, because if Adam would have just ignored the FEEDING FRENZY, the likes of which I’ve never, NEVER, EVER, before he would have been so much more respected and embraced by the “gay” community. Um… no.

Adam is not the one generally making his personal life the topic of discussion. I feel 100% confident in saying that Adam would have been pleased as punch to just make music, answer questions about music, talk about his musical influences, talk about his theater past, and so on. It was the media hounds who did… and still do, make it all about his personal life.

I think Adam has been quite gracious in answering those questions. But he’s been clear that he answered those questions to get things on the record…. and now let’s move on and make some MUSIC.

The fact that he doesn’t lay down and roll over, but actually sticks up for himslef — well, I really admire and appreciate that.

Does Adam sometimes say things that make me go “oh boy”… yes! Do I know in my heart of hearts that this is a compassionate, honest, thoughtful person! Yes. Am I willing to love and appreciate his musicianship — enjoy the journey and just let him be himself without projecting ANYTHING socialy on him. HELL YES!

Adam is 27. He’s on a journey too, and I’m sure he will make mistakes along the way. I just don’t happen to be one of those people who feels the need to vehemently point them out (or decide what they are). He can live his life, make his mistakes, learn, grow, and make beautiful music. I’m listening.

And, I find their ‘shock’  at a PR representative trying to craft an image or control a brand out there in the land of illusion laughably naive. It’s what those people are paid to do. I somehow doubt it’s the first time this has happened. Adam’s just the lightning rod persona they chose to pin this one on.

Yup. They’re using Adam as the fall guy. Or the “high profile representative” of the issue they want to discuss. Adam’s name pulls readers in and generates controversy. From my most optimistic view of their motives, which is that they want to increase awareness of this issue they perceive with homophobia within the industry, they’re using this example to facilitate discussion on the problem. From my less optimistic view…well. I’ll stay optimistic for now.

But any way anyhow, Adam was totally exploited in this situation and the expectations on him, from all parties including many of his fans, are ridiculously massive. I wish him luck. He’s going to have to learn to stop being so openly defensive of himself, for sure, and I hope this incident shows that to him. There will be many more incidents like this, and it’s in his best interest to not fuel the fires.

Since I can’t edit I will clear up a misconception about the tweets.

Adam’s first tweet was a general response to his feeling about the issue where he sent his fans to PLANET FEIRCE to read Rowe’s open letter to the Editor of OUT. He also tweeted this to Perez who was demanding that Adam make a decision between the gay community and his career.

The next two tweets were 1 tweet, basically. You can only use so many characters so the second tweet was a continuation (and so noted) where he said that he and Aaron needed to communicate.

So Adam didn’t tweet Aaron once and then back track. He tweeted using two tweets to contain his full message.

There are so many issues here that I could take ten pages up on this blog with well-thought out response covering all the aspects of this strange convoluted turn of events. Fortunately, I don’t have to because rowenaaine put my (and many others, apparently) thoughts into an excellent Op-Ed piece over at Planet Fierce:

http://www.planetfierce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=single&action=display&thread=170&page=1

And bless Adam, he saw it and tweeted about it, so we know, essentially what he thinks to!

adamlambert: Planet Fierce responds to A. Hicklin’s “Open Letter to Adam” http://bit.ly/1yTFLP : thank you to the writer! YOU get it.
11/17/09 around 5:00PM ET from Echofon

I like the way he responded to Hicklin. It’s his truth in this moment and that’s what matters. I can’t even begin to know what he is dealing with right now, even though he has candidly shared many things with his adoring public, we are not in his head, or his pocketbook, for that matter.

I will say that I was saddened that Hicklin wanted to shove the gay rights agenda down Adam’s throat. Adam has been very clear on this subject. He does not wish to be the new poster boy for gay rights. He is a singer who happens to be gay, let’s get on with the music, please!

He might get to that later when his career is established and he’s not working his ass off everyday putting out his debut album and trying to get his music career going. It’s not up to Hicklin or anybody else to push their political agenda on anyone, really, no matter how beautiful and fabulously, openly gay he is.

If Hicklin’s beef was with 19, well he should’ve taken it up with 19, privately, using a little more class. From what I’ve seen, Adam doesn’t seem stifled in who he is one bit by 19. Just MHO.

Funny, that lack of filter is one of the things I love about Adam. But, as he says, it’s not for everyone

I just find this attitude confusing. Having a filter to me is a very important thing. I appreciate when people show grace and tact, and I think saying you have no filter at times is just a way of getting around being respectful. Adam could have worded his twitter much more diplomatically, and risen above the situation. The editor of Out showed no tact, so I would have gained a lot of respect for Adam if he hadn’t responded in such a childish way. I understand the desire to get back at the person who insulted you, I see it every day in the elementary school students I work with, but I also try to instill the notion of moving on and being the bigger person.

Adam could have worded his twitter much more diplomatically, and risen above the situation. The editor of Out showed no tact, so I would have gained a lot of respect for Adam if he hadn’t responded in such a childish way. I understand the desire to get back at the person who insulted you, I see it every day in the elementary school students I work with, but I also try to instill the notion of moving on and being the bigger person.

I agree on that point. Like I said, Adam gets too defensive of himself. He takes things way too personally and he reacts accordingly. This is not a good attitude for a celebrity to have, and he has to learn that silence, or extremely diplomatic responses, are sometimes best–even if he has to repress his personal frustration. He’s going to have to separate private-Adam and celebrity-Adam, and not be so emotionally attached and defensive of the latter. I think this may be difficult for Adam, who to me comes off as a very sensitive guy, to do, but he has to learn it eventually and sooner is better than later.

As everyone knows I’m a huge Adam fan, and I’ve already commented extensively on why I think the editor of Out Magazine was wrong to act the way he did, but I have to admit that Adam’s tweeted responses were passive aggressive and inappropriate. He needs to realize-emotionally as well as superficially/logically–that this, and other complaints that will arise, are NOT ABOUT HIM PERSONALLY, but about larger issues and agendas.

And what about the ‘don`t let us down’ pressure the Editor forced on Adam? I don’t find that particularly refreshing at all. It is a sort of ultimatum, isn’t it?

Whatever it is, it’s strange. He rips Adam a new one and then tells him he’s counting on him. I can’t even begin to understand that one.

isn’t it better to let your management team(after all that is what you have them for, right?) handle the situations?

Maybe it is. I guess it depends on the person and publicist.

And how do we know they weren`t involved? Pure speculation here, but he very well may have run his tweets by his publicist. And, further speculation, they may have said: Go for it!

Or, he may have been reluctant to tweet and, perhaps, they said: Adam, you need to tweet about this.

Who really knows?

They’re just looking for Adam to own up to situation he put himself in.

What “position did he put himself in”? It seems to me most of the editor’s complaints were about 19. For instance, 19 didn’t let Adam do a cover in the middle of the AI season-that type of thing isn’t allowed for any of the contestants at any magazine. Then 19 asked that Adam not be asked questions about political issues. I don’t blame them. Look at how ridiculous people act about a freakin’ album cover that they think is “too gay”. Adam’s PR person is an openly gay man- he knows all too well that it is a slippery slope and you might have to go slowly at first.

In this case, they weren’t even calling out Adam. Adam didn’t even need to respond publicly.

Did you read the editor’s letter? He was calling Adam out and he was using bullying techniques. I fully expected Adam to respond and I bet it won’t be the last we hear from him.

Instead he dismisses it, and with it allows 19 to get away with exactly the kind of behavior that hurts gay entertainers.

If 19 was really looking out for themselves, they would have encouraged Adam to say “no comment” after the AI season was over. Or they wouldn’t have let him wear make-up and sing a Bowie medley on tour. Or they wouldn’t have allowed the FYE album cover. Or they wouldn’t have allowed Adam to change pronouns in songs on his album from she to he.Or they wouldn’t have allowed him to go to a Pink concert with his boyfriend. Or they wouldn’t have let Adam do an hour long, closed door interview with OUT MAGAZINE or be on the cover in the first place!

How much more supportive can 19 be? They know what they have, but at the same time they know that America may not be ready for everything at once. What is wrong with that? I’m sure Adam would LOVE to do a video with a male love interest. But he knows and RCA knows that now may not be the right time. The fact that America is still extremely homophobic is not RCA’s or Adam’s fault. However, to ignore it completely would be foolish.

How much more out there gay does Adam need to be? Just because he doesn’t want to march on Washington (at this time) doesn’t mean he isn’t out and proud.

but I also try to instill the notion of moving on and being the bigger person.

And after you have been beaten up both physically and emotionally by turning the other cheek you become a little hardened to that philosophy. It works fine in theory but not in real life.

Winks8, yes to your whole post!!

I found the editor’s letter to be pretty bold and refreshing. It seemed clear to me that he wasn’t attacking Adam, but the 19 machine

If he wasn’t attacking Adam, but his management, he wouldn’t have addressed the letter “Dear Adam,” but instead, “Dear Adam’s Management.”

If the editor was so bold and refreshing, he would have refused the conditions of 19 and put out his letter about how the management was screwing, as per the editor and writer, unbeknownst to them, the gay talent they were representing and talked genuinely about what a sucky thing that was. And I think we all would have agreed. I know I would have.

If the editor was so interested in being so refreshing and bold, he would have talked to Adam first and not made the letter as part of the magazine Adam was in…unbeknownst to Adam and not laying the issue to Adam beforehand, at all.

If this editor was so refereshing and bold, he wouldn’t have been adopted such a condesnding tone in the letter to Adam. Oh and I for one could have done without the misogynistic references to Barbies, by the way.

If this editor was so refreshing and bold he could fact check and try reading the article about his diatribe in his own magazine first. I guess facts are just too old-fashioned for such bold and refreshing people as Hicklin. Like Adam’s non-appearance in OUT during the show. Whoops, facts so annoying. Adam said in the article in YOUR magazine that while out and proud, he didn’t ascribe to the idea that he was the gay messiah. Well ignore that, ignore his RS and other interviews about this, bold and refreshing editors don’t have to consider what the actual interviewees feel or say! That’s for non-bold and unrefreshing people.

Oh and bold and refreshing editors don’t have to do their homework to know that Adam had tongues women long before he was famous, there are pictures of it. So no, he isn’t just tonguing kittens either, he might just, work with me here, find it okay to occasionally kiss women in whatever circumstance. I know! Crazy radical idea to assume that sexuality and gender aren’t rigid. And even if one identifies sexually as one group, doesn’t mean your appreciation of the other stops. Was that Kinsey, was that my own experience, the experience of almost everyone I personally know speaking? or Adam? Well if Adam says it, it’s disingeneous and hurting the gay community. Therefore it’s refreshing and bold to label it bascially as lying and having no value. Or to wholly ignore it. GROOVY. I guess it’s okay when my family, friends and I do the same thing, because well, we’re not famous and won’t sell magazines by labelling us liars, er, I mean, disingenous.

HermeticallySealed
11/17/2009 at 10:18 pm

Honestly, many in the community can’t stand for anyone gay to be embraced by the nation at large, no matter what we say to the contrary. I think it’s the fact that they feel that if they are miserable and treated like shit, then how dare others not be as well. So they search for anything they can to bring that person down….

This is interesting, and sad.

I totally understand that this is probably a part of it, but I can’t believe all of it. It certainly wouldn’t reflect the gay people I grew up and worked with. Then again, I grew up in a large city with a large and diverse gay community. I’ve heard enough stories about different situations to know that is not the norm.

I wasn’t trying to attack you or join any kind of dog pile. My intent is strictly to point out that sometimes we all need to take a step back and realize that there are more than one or two people in these threads at a time

I didn’t think you were trying to attack me. I know you well enough, thankfully. I agree. I’m taking a step back as we speak, at least in attitude towards other posters. Not taking my anger at him out on any of you any more.

I won’t jump to so many conclusions about you, even if you are doing it about him. Wrong is wrong. It’s funny though, you can get personal and it’s simply anecdotal, but when others do it, it’s just wrong. We just won’t agree. I won’t even try, it’s really not that’ ¦’ ¦complex.

Fair enough, about the anger. The thing is, just because I disliked certain things doesn’t mean I disliked Adam…oh, I do now, but not then. heh

I wanted him to succeed. I probably held him to a higher standard than I should, and I fully admit that that was because the genre of music he decided to wade into was my “wheelhouse.” Just because I didn’t like all of the music, or the album cover, a lot of people just assumed I must not like the guy. That’s just not the case. Plus, if you read my review, I did like several songs.

Also, any fan of any Idol can probably tell you I’m a bitch about going overboard. Been there, done that, thankfully skipped the glitter, but now when I see people declaring their fave contestant is the NEXT BIG THING I may say something about it. If you read my posts, then you know a lot of what I say is in the vein of “this has been said about previous Idols,” and “no really, there are other people doing this, it’s not that new.” I only get worked up over it because I dislike people making the same mistake I did. Then again, that cycle does increase the number of snarky bitches on the blog, and the more the merrier!

As far as the anecdote/ personal thing…that just comes down to a communication problem. You can’t see me, so a lot of communication is lost, and I try to be mindful of it. I’m always throwing out random stories I’m reminded of. It’s not really meant to justify. For real. That’s why I try to point out that its just a story. I try to separate it from my original points, or throw it in at the end. Granted, if it makes you think about another point of view, great, but I don’t expect them to change minds, or make my opinion superior to yours. I really don’t.

It’s when people open up with the personal stuff that you know it’s a justification and not just another conversational point. Case in point, me in my initial response. I was totally justifying, and I totally shouldn’t have, and totally wouldn’t have seen that if you hadn’t brought it up….thank you. For real.

If he wasn’t attacking Adam, but his management, he wouldn’t have addressed the letter ‘Dear Adam,’  but instead, ‘Dear Adam’s Management.’ 

He was “speaking” to Adam. Not attacking him. It was an editor’s letter, so “speaking” to Adam was just a way to open the subject. The subtext, I should throw in an IMHO here, was “Dear gay and gay friendly people reading this issue/ website.” I honestly think he was more interested in the gay community knowing what happened and getting them to go after 19, than he cared whether Adam actually knew or not. Totally IMO. I don’t know the guy or claim to. If he wanted to actually write the letter to Adam, I’m sure he would have just sent it to him personally.

Hey, you can be bothered and still care about your bottom line. Also, as he pointed out, most of their issues were irrelevant. This is OUT not the Advocate (RIP).

Funny, that lack of filter is one of the things I love about Adam. But, as he says, it’s not for everyone

I just find this attitude confusing. Having a filter to me is a very important thing. I appreciate when people show grace and tact, and I think saying you have no filter at times is just a way of getting around being respectful. Adam could have worded his twitter much more diplomatically, and risen above the situation. The editor of Out showed no tact, so I would have gained a lot of respect for Adam if he hadn’t responded in such a childish way. I understand the desire to get back at the person who insulted you, I see it every day in the elementary school students I work with, but I also try to instill the notion of moving on and being the bigger person

Dang! I don’t equate a lack of filter with tactlessness. I wrote a crazily detailed analysis of the tweets, so I stand by what I said-those tweets to Hicklin are NOT impolite. (Yep, Tess, I agree. Those two tweets are really one tweet, in two because of the format of twitter).

I guess what erinnthered (who I was quoting about the lack of filter) calls lack of filter, I call being open. That is what I love. The last paragraph of that article is Adam broken open.

But that openness can definitely cause controversy. Example: Adam talking about having oral sex with a woman and her not being that clean. Yuck!-but I bet that statement was hilarious in person. Kinda of nice of Adam, in a way, too…:)

his is not a good attitude for a celebrity to have, and he has to learn that silence, or extremely diplomatic responses, are sometimes best’“even if he has to repress his personal frustration.

Oh, here I thought, his attitude was his own choice and that he could learn or not learn what he wanted.

He totally could have pulled an NPH or a David Hyde Pierce and made it all about his work instead of his personal life, but he chose to make his personal life an issue, and now he needs to deal with that.

So true. He could have kept it all hush-hush. Showed up at events alone or with a woman on his arm. Brushed off questions about his sexuality with an indignant, “That’s no one’s business but my own!! How DARE you??” But, instead, he decided to be himself. “I’m gay.” And, yep, erinthered… you with all the gay friends…. You’re right. Now he has to deal with it. Sucks. Doesn’t it?

I like Jim C’s (MTV) tweet on the subject: “I love that @adamlambert is like Kandi from RH of Atlanta. “I fly above all the haters!” YES! Those Tweets were AMAZING. [Raises his fist.]”

I’m glad the general response towards Adam and this situation is positive. Adam has the right to say, respond, and act anyway he chooses. No one has the right to define him except himself.

This whole conversation reminds me of something my 15 yr old d said. She said, “Gay people are boring if all they talk about is how hard it is to be gay”

And Adam Lambert is DEFINTELY not boring!

his is not a good attitude for a celebrity to have, and he has to learn that silence, or extremely diplomatic responses, are sometimes best’“even if he has to repress his personal frustration.

Oh, here I thought, his attitude was his own choice and that he could learn or not learn what he wanted.

Sorry, I could have phrased that better. I mean that it would be best for him to learn that silence, or extremely diplomatic responses, are best for a celebrity. Again, I’ve already described why I feel Adam was victimized and blindsided in this situation, and how ridiculous I think it is to blame him for his choice to remain an entertainer only, not a political figure. And I definitely do not think I can dictate Adam’s choices.

But I think his responses today highlight a repeating problem he’s had with being overemotional and defensive in response to criticism, and I think it’s hurting him, both professionally, and personally (because he’s letting himself get worked up over these things that aren’t about him as a person, and that can’t feel great) to keep on doing that. So I–advise him, I suppose, since he DOES apparently read fanboards–to maybe rethink his approach to criticisms. Again, celebrity!Adam =/= Adam, the person. He’s been remarkably open, but in a way that’s left him vulnerable, and not in the good way. And I hate to see him get hurt.

Here is a quote from a new USA Article. Link

Lambert says he was unprepared for public scrutiny and constant speculation. Nor was he eager to be a role model.

“I don’t want to be a gay poster child, but I am by default, because there aren’t that many,” he says. “Like it or not, it’s projected on me. I’m not saying, ‘Do what I do.’ I say, ‘Do what you do.’ “

And, I find their ‘shock’  at a PR representative trying to craft an image or control a brand out there in the land of illusion laughably naive. It’s what those people are paid to do. I somehow doubt it’s the first time this has happened. Adam’s just the lightning rod persona they chose to pin this one on.

It reeks of hypocrisy to me. Yesterday, way before Adam’s ‘twats’ I said that if they really wanted to take the high road they should have rejected any notion of Adam on the cover, solo or otherwise. The fact that Katy Perry was on the cover last year sorta makes me think that there is something fishy going on with OUT. But in retrospect, I think back isn’t this the magazine that use to do just that? Out closeted gays? They have a lot of nerve playing sanctimonious.

ETA: Isn’t it ironic that he is having a beef with the gay community? I thought that it was straight people who were myopic and narrow-minded. Times are changing.

But I think his responses today highlight a repeating problem he’s had with being overemotional and defensive in response to criticism, and I think it’s hurting him, both professionally, and personally (because he’s letting himself get worked up over these things that aren’t about him, the person) to keep on doing that.

I don’t think he is defensive at all. Quite the contrary. OUT is claiming Adam isn’t allowed to speak for himself, well guess what.. Adam responded, even if it wasn’t the way people wanted him to. To me he took control of the situation. And the letter was addressed to Adam, and is telling him not to “mess up” and to act a certain way. To me that is personal.

I also notice major entertainment news outlets aren’t picking up on this. I guess they see it as an “in fighting” situation. I’m happy about that. I remember this Hitchens guy from before. He likes to draw up controversy like when he put Anderson Cooper on the cover.

I really, really wouldn’t worry about this affecting the sales of the music. I don’t think I’ve ever seen OUT on a newsstand, it’s fun to talk about here, but this will blow over quickly.

But in retrospect, I think back isn’t this the magazine that use to do just that? Out closeted gays? They have a lot of nerve playing sanctimonious.

Yup!! There was a big controversy before when they put Jodie Foster and Anderson Cooper on the cover. So this is nothing new, which is why I think major news outlets are ignoring it for the most part.

Besides, I just played MUSIC AGAIN for the 1st time and it IS awesome!

And, I find their ‘shock’  at a PR representative trying to craft an image or control a brand out there in the land of illusion laughably naive. It’s what those people are paid to do. I somehow doubt it’s the first time this has happened. Adam’s just the lightning rod persona they chose to pin this one on.

Didn’t they make clear that their shock was not the branding issue, but the way they handled it? They even gave example of typical requests. Their issue was how direct they were about not being “too gay-gay” or political. PR people really are usually pretty tactful. It’s their job. This stands out a lot. Really. I really do think this was an unusual situation.

I really, really wouldn’t worry about this affecting the sales of the music. I don’t think I’ve ever seen OUT on a newsstand, it’s fun to talk about here, but this will blow over quickly.

True. I’ve only seen it on some blogs and the majority of the responses are sympathetic and positive towards Adam. The funny thing is, if I wasn’t an Idol tard I wouldn’t know anything about this or any of these people. lol You are right, it won’t hurt or help him.

Besides, I just played MUSIC AGAIN for the 1st time and it IS awesome!

Yeah, let me go do that. Gonna shake my booty and feel sexy!

I don’t think he is defensive at all. Quite the contrary. OUT is claiming Adam isn’t allowed to speak for himself, well guess what.. Adam responded, even if it wasn’t the way people wanted him to. To me he took control of the situation. And the letter was addressed to Adam, and is telling him not to ‘mess up’  and to act a certain way. To me that is personal.

But it wasn’t personal. Not really. Nothing in the entertainment world is. It’s part of a larger agenda Out Magazine has, to attract more viewers or to facilitate discussion on homophobia (depending on whether I want to be kind in my assessment of them). But either way, it’s not about ADAM. Adam is the fall guy, for his management, and for other record labels who have behaved the same way. It’s addressed to Adam to GET HITS, not because it’s actually about the way ADAM acts.

And sorry, but imo Adam’s tweet, “Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine,” does not come off as taking charge of the situation to me. The accusation of wanting attention comes off as petty, even if it’s true. The fact that he responds at all indicates defensiveness–that he feels he needs to comment to defend himself from Aaron’s accusations at all. Adam is a great guy, but this is not the best way to play the PR game.

Many celebrities create a second persona, whether actively (Sasha Fierce, Lady Gaga) or just subconsciously, to separate their professonal selves from their personal selves. Then they can respond to situations in the best way for PR, and not get emotionally tied up in things. I think this, ultimately, is the best approach to maintain emotional healthiness under such pressure and scrutiny.

Didn’t they make clear that their shock was not the branding issue, but the way they handled it? They even gave example of typical requests. Their issue was how direct they were about not being ‘too gay-gay’  or political. PR people really are usually pretty tactful. It’s their job. This stands out a lot. Really. I really do think this was an unusual situation.

I don’t. That seems like a thinly veiled excuse to me. Explicit or implicit requests, what does it matter? The deeper issue here is not the diplomatic skill of Adam’s representatives, it’s why there’s this fear of appearing too gay at all. I think this is a quite normal situation for them, but they’re addressing it so publically right now specifically to get attention for the ENTIRE perceived problem. Adam is the fall guy/poster boy because he’s popular at the moment. It’s a common tactic.

So true. He could have kept it all hush-hush. Showed up at events alone or with a woman on his arm. Brushed off questions about his sexuality with an indignant, ‘That’s no one’s business but my own!! How DARE you??’  But, instead, he decided to be himself. ‘I’m gay.’  And, yep, erinthered’ ¦ you with all the gay friends’ ¦. You’re right. Now he has to deal with it. Sucks. Doesn’t it?

LMAO

Neil Patrick Harris and David Hyde Pierce are out and proud. Both released statements to that effect, and then proceeded to go on with their careers. They made clear that their personal lives were personal, but that they were not embarrassed by them, and both routinely appear at public events with their bfs on their arms. NPH even gets followed by the tabloids, and you can’t say David Burtka’s career has been hurt by it either.

He could easily have done the same, and focused on his music and where he wanted to go artistically.

There are celebs who go clubbing and to events and don’t talk about who they go out with. I know! It’s crazy!

Tiger – !!! yes to your post too!!

Sherena,

and I think it’s hurting him, both professionally, and personally

Yes, I can see your point. But I wonder sometimes if muting one`s tongue is more harmful. I know I`ve rued more about the times I should have stood up for myself and didn`t than the times, I pointedly and politely (and I think Adam was both) did stand up for myself.

As for the professional outcome? Recent tweets don`t worry me. I am not sure that a smack down of Gene Simmons, almost a buffoon in the eyes of many, is going to hurt at all And I think the Out debacle is pretty limited in its` scope.

I seriously doubt that Adam will drop any f-bombs on the AMAs, Letterman or Ellen. THAT would not be good. LOL.

Adam isn`t for everyone, obviously, and not to get all new agey, but the ‘universe is unfolding as it should.’ Meaning, that his career will be what it is supposed to be. I hope he gets everything he wants including that house with the purple and red hookah den!

Here’s where I listened to Music Again:

http://www.mr-l.org/adam-lambert-music-again-lyrics-audio/

And sorry, but imo Adam’s tweet, ‘Dear Aaron, it’s def not that deep. Chill! Guess ya gotta get attention for the magazine. U too are at the mercy of the marketing machine,’  does not come off as taking charge of the situation to me. The accusation of wanting attention comes off as petty, even if it’s true. The fact that he responds at all indicates defensiveness’“that he feels he needs to comment to defend himself from Aaron’s accusations at all. Adam is a great guy, but this is not the best way to play the PR game.

We will have to agree to disagree. Adam is correct. If this Aaron guy was soooo upset he should have talked to Adam about it. Shena could have mentioned it to him while they were along for that hour doing the interview too. It smells of opportunism to me. So yes, its for hits to their site, but its the wrong way to do it in my opinion.

And again, I see nothing at all defensive about either of Adam’s posts. Adam has stated numerous times before that he does not want to be defined by his sexuality and that he just wants to be an entertainer. OUT needs to respect that or not ask Adam to be part of their magazine anymore. Its that simple to me.

Stating that he should have just stayed quiet would have been a bad choice. Had he done so, speculation would have continued, and gotten louder and more viscous. It’s happened every time he waited to respond in the past with other seeming scandals. As it is, nothinghe said has out of line. Nothing.