Adam Lambert: I'm Gay, but Not a Civil Rights Leader

June 9, 2009

"I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I'm gay. . . . I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me. . . . I'm trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader."

— American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert revealed his sexuality in a Rolling Stone cover story (he thought that would be cooler than a celebrity magazine).

Do you think gay public figures have an obligation to work for equality, or is pursuing a successful music career (as an openly gay man) the best way for Adam to open people's minds?

Pacific Coast News Online

17 Comments

leeluvfashion 3 years 49 weeks

I understand what Adam is trying to say; just because someone well-known is gay, does not mean they have to be politically active with the movement. It does not mean he is not supportive, he prefers the focus to be on his music. Nothing offensive.

delovely03 3 years 49 weeks

Cirrus, YES, you are fabulous and absolutely RIGHT. haha

cirrus1701 3 years 49 weeks

Just as an aside, doesn't Adam's boyfriend look like a 70's porn star in that photo? Not too flattering, I must say.

mamasitamalita 3 years 49 weeks

ok michael I can see how you get that. doesn't mean people who don't fight for rights shouldn't be awarded them. I guarantee there were women who could have cared less during the Suffragette movement (and probably, sadly, women today) if they were granted the right to vote, but they still won that right thanks to others' hard work. I don't think any of those women fought AGAINST women's suffrage, though, or don't appreciate the right.

em1282 3 years 49 weeks

"I don't think openly gay celebrities should feel like they need to be politically active all of the time. Being openly gay is already helping tremendously. I think most of them still are active for gay rights because of course none of them can honestly say they're happy with the current situation." Yup. Well said.

em1282 3 years 49 weeks

michaeluvnikita 3 years 49 weeks

he says he is not a civil right leader. He is just a musician. To me I feel like he is saying I don't care to fight for freedom and equal right. I just want to make music. I understand him but the way the wording is made it seems as if it's not his problems to fight for equality.

RoaringSilence 3 years 49 weeks

I don't think openly gay celebrities should feel like they need to be politically active all of the time. Being openly gay is already helping tremendously. I think most of them still are active for gay rights because of course none of them can honestly say they're happy with the current situation.

RoaringSilence 3 years 49 weeks

mamasitamalita 3 years 49 weeks

michaeluvnikita, what do you mean??

alltherage 3 years 49 weeks

Gay public figures shouldn't have the obligation to do anything. However, just like coming out shouldnt be a big deal because being gay isnt a big deal -- it still is. coming out as a public gay figure doesnt leave much room not to be a spokesperson. It shouldnt be that way but until people come around Lambert will find himself being a spokesperson.

3 years 49 weeks

Gay public figures don't have an obligation to do anything. It's everyone else putting the pressure on them. People need to stop defining people by their sexuality, it's one aspect of who they are, not the whole person. That'll never happen though.

POPSUGAR Beauty 3 years 49 weeks

Coming out is a political statement in itself. And while he doesn't need to be a LGBT rights crusader or anything like that, it's great that he *has* come out — proves there's no reason to be ashamed, and shows a lot of gay youth that yes, there are other people like you out there.

spacekatgal 3 years 49 weeks

Of course not! I think it's a hallmark of progress that you can be gay and move on with your life.

michaeluvnikita 3 years 49 weeks

then i guess you shouldn't have the right to be gay ( who you are) since some people are trying to take away that right from you.

Chrstne 3 years 49 weeks

I don't think he needs to do something just because he is a certain way. If I was abused as a child and all of the sudden burst into the business, I would not have to spend all of my time talking about stopping child abuse or what not. It's good to be passionate about something -- but you don't have to devote your whole life to a trait of yours or a good thing or terrible thing that happened to you.

CaterpillarGirl 3 years 49 weeks

good for him, he shouldnt have to be a gay rights leader because he is in the spotlight

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