Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Lambert says one thing worth remembering
For anyone who cares I’m no fan of American Idol, and will hold on to my ducats instead of buying Adam Lambert’s new album (I will purchase Joshua Redman’s “Compass” though). Even with Lambert’s friend of Dorothy status confirmed , you won’t see me at any of his concerts or getting weepy because he’s part of the sisterhood. Who he brings home at night matters not (unless he’s being a shameless tart by talking to someone I’m into!).
However, I will give the Idol runner-up credit for this line in his Rolling Stone magazine interview:
“I’m trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader.”
Hopefully all of Lambert’s fans will keep this in mind and not pester him for position papers on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, marriage rights, or whatever gay and lesbian political issue is out there. As fans we expect too much from the famous who happen to be gay. We want them to be role models for “the community” (please no sexual scandals like George Michael!) and to sound intelligent when talking about gay rights. Essentially we hand over to them spokesperson status because they happen to be on the screen. Lambert gets points for not playing the game.
As he said his job is singing and nothing else. To expect anything else is to place a burden on Lambert a straight crooner never has to deal with. That isn’t what freedom is about.
No offense but I don’t thing civil rights for gays are a game.
Lambert is openly gay. People are going to ask him about gay issues. I don’t expect him to be a spokesman for us, nor do I even want him to be our spokesman. I do however expect him to be able to articulate an intellegent response when asked – and he will be asked. Adam Lambert isn’t leading the charge, but he is a foot soldier in the battle. He needs to be prepared just as you and I need to be prepared when we attend a Pride parade or other “gay event”. Will you be ready if a reporter sticks a microphone in YOUR face?
Mike, I never said we all need to be activists. I said we all need to contribute in our own way toward the welfare of our community. We all have others who helped us to where we are today. We are not individual islands.
I don’t expect him to be a gay rights leader just because he is a singer. As a matter of fact, I was wholeheartedly behind Linda Ronstadt’s firing from the Las Vegas casino for turning her concert into an anti-Bush rant. I also complained to Bonnie Raitt’s management when she turned a concert into a pro-abortion rights rant. I’m paying good money to hear these people sing, not to talk. So, shut up and sing.
Having said that, it is naïve to think that what he says and does will not somehow reflect on the gay community at large. It’s like Terrell Owens complaining that he was hired to be an NFL player, not a role model for black people. Guess what, it comes with the territory. If you can’t handle it, don’t sign up.
When Magic Johnson announced that he was HIV positive, the media was suddenly blaring about HIV/AIDS in the black community and in professional sports.
Magic Johnson didn’t stop being black when he became an NBA player. Adam Lambert won’t stop being gay when he becomes a recording star. It doesn’t have to mean that is ALL they are, but it always going to be a part. Suck it up and move on.
He’s saying everything straight america wants to hear… “I’m gay but I’m not going to be in your face” He also held out an ambiguous carrot by saying he was “kind of interested” in girls.. (you failed to mention that one). He has the guts to flamboyantly wear make up all over tv, but can’t talk politics? It’s all marketing. It’s another case of dollars vs. substance. To him I say boo hiss! At least he’s not as big a loser as Sean Hayes, but still I’m not impressed.
Adam Lambert is a adorable. I admire him for living free and chasing his dream. So many times people would say he needs to tone down his theatrics if he wants to win. Then at the night of the final, there he was wearing metal wings, with sparkly handcuffs, huge as hell shoes, blue nail polish,sexy eyeliner singing away. He was not toning it down. Nope, he was ramping it up and he looked thrilled about doing it. Happy as heck.
What is not to love about this kid? He is a National treasure….an example of an American simply living free.
Interesting. Diana Ross spoke often about civil rights in the early 60’s. While she never was a civil rights leader, she spoke out when appropriate. And it never seemed to bother her. Her career seemed to go along just fine. And she became a legend along the way. Why Miss Lambert has a problem doing the same, the poor dear. Please.
He is being himself and I commend him for that. Gone are the days of the silver screen star who’s every move is choreographed to protect their image. Adam doesn’t need to be our spokesman. He just needs to do what all the rest of YOU need to do……come out and be yourself.
If you think for one minute that your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors don’t suspect that you are gay, you’re only fooling yourself. They need to see that there are GLBT people living next door, holding regular jobs, being part of the community and just plain old living their own lives and struggling to pay the bills just like everyone else.
Here’s a very simple adage that I learned several years ago, “If you try to hide or conceal the fact that you are gay, then you are giving the clear message that there is something wrong with being gay.” ’nuff said
I hope Melissa Ethridge learns something from the Rolling Stone article.
“As fans we expect too much of the famous who happen to be gay”….you could NOT be more wrong. During a time in our history where we are clawing for basic civil rights while in a optimistic sea of ‘change’ it is now more important than ever for a gay celebrity to want to use their influence and for us to require them to use it on behalf of ‘the sisterhood’. I know I for one am sick and tired of gay celebrities making their money off of the gay audience and audience at large, while denying, playing coy or being milquetoast about the fact they’re queer. Those who play the game like that are saying they are ashamed of who and what they are, and propigate bigotry and ignorance.
yeah, we ALL have to deal with things that straight people never do, as he very well realizes.
I don’t get off on having to go to marches and knock on doors and write letters to politicians just because I want the same rights that everyone else has. I do it because we all have a responsibility to ourselves and our community.
Lambert is just reinforcing the idea that politics is boring and that oool people tune out and let other people compensate for their apathy.
We are a community therefore we should be held to being an activist, baloney. We are individuals first and foremost. Living a life is all one needs to do in the activist realm. Only if one chooses to do more in public view is all one can expect of another, we do not own another, nor does another owe you anything more than what they wish to give.
And this who is Lambert crap, or trying to make it seem he is less than; simply for snob appeal is just stupid. The guy has real talent and all he wants to do is produce and promote this talent. This is his choice and no one has the right to demand any more. Support the guy if you want, but don’t tear him down just for sport.
Lambert doesn’t get a “get out of promoting LGBT equality” card in my book, nor should I just because I’m busy in my career, nor should supporters of LGBT rights who happen to be straight. We all need to do our part. In Lambert’s case, just being who he is – being out of the closet and visible in the spotlight – can be a significant contribution toward LGBT equality. We are a community. None of us our exempt from moving our community forward, but what each person contributes is for each individual to decide.
When Lambert agrees to sing one of the male parts in Tosca at the Met I will begin to pay attention to him. Until then, Lambert who?
i dont understand why the gay community relies on gay celebrities. its stupid. they can only do so much.