Adam Lambert is currently on tour in South East Asia. Today, he’s in Hong Kong getting ready for a show in the Chinese city. But when Glam Nation rolls into Malaysia for a show on Thursday, there will be a few changes made to his set. Adam released a statement via twitter today:
“While I don’t believe that my glamnation tour is in any way offensive, I have agreed to make a few minor adjustments out of respect for the Malaysian government. Looking forward to a fun show.
Does my show “promote the gay lifestyle”? It promotes living ANY lifestyle that includes the freedom to seek love and intimacy. Gay, straight, bi, young or old. It’s all inclusive.
Plus, what’s THE gay lifestyle? There isn’t just one. There are so many different kinds of gay people. We have a variety of different lifestyles. There’s not only one lifestyle lived by straight folks. Generalizing…. “
The decision to adjust his set was made amidst complaints from The Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) Malaysia’s Islamist opposition party, who demanded today that authorities cancel Adam’s concert.
The conservative group say Adam is promoting “gay culture” in the mainly Muslim country.
“Adam Lambert’s shows… are outrageous, with lewd dancing and a gay performance that includes kissing male dancers, this is not good for people in our country, ” said PAS Youth leader Nasrudin Hasan. Homosexual sex is illegal in Malaysia.
The PAS has also threatened to call “as many of its members and supporters” to protest if the concert goes ahead on Thursday, according to a party official.
Adam was probably planning to tone down his act anyway. An official from Malaysia’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry was reported saying that Adam had signed a contract agreeing to follow certain guidelines on performances. Foreign performers are often required to tone down their acts to keep within local cultural norms.
He won’t have to change much, I don’t think. No kissing Tommy, and he’ll have to keep those hips in check. He might have to leave “Fever” and the song’s male pronouns out of the set.
