Just because he is gay doesn’t mean that the stalker that went to the tabloids is telling the truth. Nobody assumes that David Letterman’s stalker, who claims to be his wife, isn’t crazy just because they are both straight. It should not be automatic that a gay stalker isn’t lying now that Aiken came out.

When that guy came out and said he had slept with Aiken and had proof… that’s it. Yer gay. We know. End of story.

But this… linking his coming out with the birth of his child… repulsive.

Sorry, Marys, but no one has to be understanding or anything about his coming out — err, telling us what we already KNEW. I would have respected him more THEN, but he let that guy get CRUCIFIED and I can’t stomach that… especially because he was right, Aiken is gay, he did sleep with Aiken…

I don’t like it when gays dump on other gays to protect their stupid, shallow secrets.

And to be clear: I knew Clay was gay the first time his pasty face crossed my TV set in the American Idol auditions.

Also, knowing this… I have never liked him because he seems really fake, his voice has no nuance or real warmth — he’s just a belter and his looks make him news because they can’t believe that sound comes out of him.

No, Aiken… maybe in a year when he has re-tooled himself.

But doubtful.

I KNOW that you can legally be fired from your job, kicked out of the military, be barred from marrying, donating blood, and having hospital visitations, etc etc if you are a typical American gay male/female. Which is why I SPECIFICALLY made a point to introduce my comment with “There is no reason in this day in age for an AMERICAN ENTERTAINER like Clay Aiken to be closeted.”

I’m talking about celebrities here, not your run-of-the-mill Mary. Celebrities seem to acquire an “untouchable” aura about them, perhaps due to Hollywood’s less conservative views, the celebrity’s status as a recognizable public figure, or their dough. Whatever the reason, they have it made compared to middle-class, working American gay men and women who, unfortunately, aren’t so lucky to be living in a more liberal part of town, loaded with cash and fame.

And, since you asked: I am indeed quite happy in my La-La-Land above you. No, silly! I’m not talking about heaven. I’m talking about Canada.

So, I guess I’ll see you in a month, then?

There is no reason in this day and age for an American entertainer like Clay Aiken to be closeted. Z-E-R-O.”

What universe do you live in Martini? In America in this day and age you can legally be fired from a job due to your sexuality, you can be kicked out of the military (if, in fact, you can get in), you are unable to marry, you cannot give blood, you cannot bring your life mate from another country to live with you, you can be denied hospital visitation if your partner is ill, you can be refused the ability to adopt a child you have been raising for years in some states, you can be hounded at funerals by wacko right wing pseudo-Christians, you can be beaten to within an inch of your life or even murdered.

Martini, I don’t know where you live but if none of those things happens there that where I want to live out my life – in gay utopia.

Dizzyspins, may I suggest more spins, less dizzy please? Do you not understand that once you have lied, it’s HARDER to be truthful? Lies feed themselves. Give the man credit for changing the direction and momentum of his life.

But – but – without my cattiness and bitchiness, how else am I going to feel better about myself? I mean, therapy costs real money and, besides, I might be forced to realize some uncomfortable truths about myself!

I mean, come on, man!

I don’t think Clay Aiken is doing anything but alienating some of his fans, putting another significant portion in denial, and really feeling better about himself.

I hope the whole thing is sincere, and we don’t hear about some manhunt expose in few days.

and so is his baby.

we gays face hatred and rejection from others on a day-to-day basis. why should we reject one another?? we need to stand together and support each other. i’ve had enough of the gay men who think they’re cool because they’re catty and bitchy – guess what: you’re not cool – you’re foolish and ridiculous. give clay the credit he deserves. embrace his decision to come out and welcome him to our community.

PERHAPS, if he were doing it to be queer or ‘post-gay’ like Mika claims he is, then it would deserve a passing grade – if not a full 10 – depending on where you stand with respect to sexual ambiguity. But Clay’s vociferous denial merits little sympathy and support.

Nevertheless, the more openly gay numbers we can put out there, the better it’ll be for America in general. In this case, we can say the ends justify the means — EVEN IF he had to use his baby as a tool. Minus points there, Aiken… minus points there….

Its also possible he went into having a kid for the wrong reasons, but couldnt go through with using his child as a prop, as so many other celebs have done. I guess I’d classify that as slightly more noble.

Regardless of the reason, Im not of the camp that gives a warm welcome to any celebrity who comes out, no matter how long they take. If you deny and deny and deny, you don’t get a “bravery” prize when you finally get around to admitting something everyone already knew. I wont attack a celebrity who’s late to the game, but I wont cheer them on either. And i certainly dont think they deserve accolades from the gay community.

Itll be interesting to see what happens next. Will his cheesy romantic ballads starting using male pronouns? Will he still sing Christian songs? Or will he remain a sexless Manilow clone?

BRAVO!!!

But this lack of support (no matter the timing of the coming out) is exactly why more ‘visible’ gay people don’t come out. No, we don’t need to bow down and kiss their feet, ignoring all else. But we should show some support and encouragement.

If gay celebrities, be they musicians, athletes, politicians, or astronauts, fear the loss of their fans/supporters AND condemnation from the very community to which they are now alligning themselves, why WOULD they take that risk.

I know that it takes bravery for every gay person to come out. We all risk rejection. I know that I did. And because I know what that feels like I will be there to encourage those who (finally) find that bravery. And perhaps my welcoming heart will inspire them to inspire someone else to come out earlier, be even braver.

Melissa’s never given birth. Her first two children, fathered by David Crosby, were carried by her partner at the time, Julie Cypher; Melissa’s wife Tammy Lynn Michaels gave birth to twins a couple of years ago after IVF and an anonymous donor from a donation bank.

Stereotypes are ugly no matter what the source. Just because one is poor or undereducated or belongs to a certain religion does not make one stupid. My parents labored their entire lives and wouldn’t trust a Republican as far as they could throw him.

Southern Baptist does not equal “right of center.” The former is a religion, the latter is a political leaning (or orientation, if you like). Although there often is a correlation, it’s not a rule. There are plenty of liberals and plenty of democrats in the Southern Baptist church.