When it comes to Adam Lambert, gay organizations should either ignore the guy or criticize him for helping foster the image that gay people are obsessed with sex and flaunting that in the public square.
While many gay and lesbian singers, actors and talk show hostesses live their lives openly, they leave the sexual aspect of their lives where it belongs: behind closed doors. Now, after Lambert’s recent stunt at the American Music Awards, he has certainly extended his fifteen minutes, maybe to twenty, maybe to a full half hour, but he has done little to make himself anything more than a pop culture phenomenon. He even made the list of Barbara Walters Most Fascinating People of 2009. He certainly be on the 10 faded stars of 2010.
And he doesn’t do much to improve the image of gay people. Neil Patrick Harris and Ellen De Generes he surely ain’t.
You’d think an organization “dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation,” would not want to encourage antics such as Lambert’s. Well, despite that mission statement, GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) remains, in their words, “steadfast in our assertion that Adam Lambert is being subjected to a double standard by ABC as an openly gay performer. We do not support ABC cancelling Adam Lambert’s past and future performances.” Guess that wanted to be inclusive of those who engage in such public stunts as his.
Um, fellas, it’s not because he’s an openly gay performer. It’s because he behaved in a juvenile manner on a nationally televised awards show.
Do the folks at GLAAD feel they need to defend this guy just because he’s gay? This is just plain silly. This is a fight GLAAD should avoid. Adam Lambert behaved badly on stage. That type of behavior does little to promote a positive image of gay people.
Various ABC programs canceled Lambert’s appearances on several of their shows (while others invited him on) not because of his sexual orientation, but because of his bad behavior. It’s too bad GLAAD doesn’t seem able to distinguish the two.
Regardless of your sexual stripe, people making out (or having sex) in front of you is like watching someone pick their nose or relieve themselves in front of you. It’s only gratifying to the person doing it; not to those viewing it.
[snark]Thus the failure of the porn industry[/snark]
I think GLAAD jumped on this as a fund raising oportunity, and a chance to crowd into his (rapidly dimming) spotlight.
Sorry, I don’t watch American Idol (wanna be my friend?), but wasn’t Lambert coy about his orientation until some pictures of him tongue kissing some goth-kid surfaced?
Isn’t this like taking up Roy Cohn as a cause?
Best wishes,
-MFS
Lambert is a fag. GLAAD are fags for supporting him. (Long, involved joke – check out the links)
(P.S. No, I don’t actually know if Lambert rides a Harley)
Adam Lambert has two choices now: 1) Try to rebuild his career, or; 2) become Mr. America for the in-your-face gay set. Either way he is a useful barometer for taking a reading on what America will stand when gays step out of line.
There is a huge difference between the slut moves by Brittany, Janet and Madonna and the French poodle style leg humping of Adam Lambert. He might just as well have played with his member and timed the crescendo to the final screeches of his song.
Social activism of this nature pushes the boundaries of even the political correctness crowd. And when liberals say “enough” it is obvious that someone strayed into another galaxy far, far away.
But then they would have to criticize the pride parades, Southern Decadence, Fantasy Fest etc. etc. etc.
ILC, is that the Film Actors Guild?
TGC – Well, there’s that. But try my second link at #4. It’s a recent episode.
As far as Adam Lambert goes: who cares? If his performance was too outre for the masses, then his album will tank & his career will go up in smoke. Let the free market sort this one out. The gay movement will survive this twink’s antics.
What I object to most strenuously is not Lambert’s tired, cliche, unimaginative antics — its that he keeps referring to it as “art” and “creative”. What he did is neither.
I admire Adam Lambert for his talent and I bought his CD prior to the AMA awards. But I am very disappointed in that he has chosen to be a cliche. All he is doing is Freddie Mercury/Elton John/Boy George/George Michael, etc. I think he could have taken a cue from Kris Allen and become someone who talks about values and tradition. He could have broken new artistic ground for gays. At the moment, I think a much better artist is Mika, who is intelligent and fun to listen to at the same time.
Wow, again this site shows how completely out of touch with reality it is.
GLAAD isn’t defending Adam Lambert because they believe leading guys around on dog collars is a great representation of gays. GLAAD is defending Adam Lambert because the network, very openly, has no qualms showing viewers images of 2 women making out, and needs to blur out images of 2 men doing the same.
If you don’t like Adam Lambert that’s fine. I think the whole dog pile insult thread here shows the real lack of maturity in the commenters. But again, if he isn’t your cup of tea, who cares? There is a valid issue when a gay male performer is blurred out when women in a similar situation are allowed. It’s a clear double standard. Also, you don’t think it’s objectionable that networks would sign a convicted felon wife abuser, but not a gay guy for making out with his pianist?
If you don’t like the guy, fine. No one is forcing anyone to watch him or buy his album. Some people think it’s objectionable what he did, but I really have a hard time thinking anyone is too scarred. You can turn the channel. The real issue regarding GLAAD is the double standard of what’s acceptable on television and censored regarding same sex male/female affection, and whether a gay kiss is somehow less acceptable than a guy who beats the fuck out of his girlfriend.
Wow, Tim’s spewing bile again.
Can you get some new material Tim? Or just take off the mask and admit you’re Adam Lambert? Ash would like an autograph.
Tim, do I need to offer you a reading lesson too?
It’s not about Mr. Lambert making out, it’s about Mr. Lambert simulating sexual activity. Please read the post before shrieking at us and revealing your real interest, venting your spleen and not engaging us.
On the second thought, I don’t think I’ll give you a reading lesson. Won’t do you any good. No matter what we say, you’ll go on seeing our points as exactly the way you want to see them and not what they are.
At least you do provide a nice caricature of a prejudiced liberal.
I wonder if I should repeat that my #4 was a joke based on a recent (and very funny) South Park episode, and a way of pointing out that Lambert is an annoying attention-whore? Repeating it beats the joke to death, of course. But maybe Tim needs his jokes ‘beaten to death’.
Dan. Yes, please “over” me a reading lesson. Half your posts contain obvious spelling or grammar errors, which you can’t even run through the spell check before posting for the world. Whip out the credit card for some spell check, especially if you’re chastising me for not reading your posts.
Again, your point is you don’t like GLAAD defending him because of his on stage antics. And even the quote you post says exacting WHY they are defending him. One, it’s your decision to hold him up as a gay role model, not his. He’s just being a performer. Two, GLAAD knows that there is controversy surrounding his antics, but is very direct in what they believe is wrong, the double standard.
What is the problem with directness? Every time something says directly what they do or don’t support, you make an issue of it. Kevin Jennings DIRECTLY APOLOGIZES and says he could have made better choices. You extract some esoteric thoughts on gay pedophilia. GLAAD DIRECTLY QUOTES what they object to, and somehow you extract some commentary on hip thrusting. Some gays are like Ellen. Some are like Adam Lambert. Some straights are like Mother Theresa, some are Ted Bundy. C’mon. You can do better than that. Or do I have to “over” to read it to you more slowly?
Sorry, Tim, I can’t afford a proofreader, so am indebted to my readers for catching errors I don’t catch when I read over my posts. And if you find my writing so bad, then why do you spend so much time reading it (or pretending to read it as the case may be)?
My decision to hold him up as a role model? Huh?
I always thought GLAAD saw it as its business to fight negative stereotypes of gay people in the media. I’m basically just saying they would do better to ignore the guy. And given his antics, I (and nearly every gay person I know, most of them not Republicans) think ABC is doing the right thing in canceling his appearances.
Wow, you do make assumptions about me. My, my, my, we are prejudiced against conservatives, aren’t we? So, please as per a comment to a previous thread, if you’re going to criticize me, first please summarize the post to show you read it and understand my point, then cite what I did say in making your criticism.
Finally, as to Kevin Jennings, before running your mouth, go read my posts about him, okay? In a previous post, I addressed the apology issue.
Oh, and one last thing, why are you so prejudiced against conservatives? Just trying to understand all this liberal hate going around.
GLAAD surely must have other pressing issues to deal with. And at this point in our political history, why pray tell, are they frolicking round the Bathhouse banner?
Most folks don’t live in San Francisco, including gays and lesbians. Rude and crude doesn’t play well outside of the metropolitan fleshpots. Gee, you’d think our ‘leaders’ would have figured that out already.
You’d think they would, LesbianOutsider (Is that LesbO on purpose or accidentally?) but the thing is that libs who live in the cities, including the leaders of GLAAD, dont KNOW anyone who doesn’t think like them, and certainly wouldn’t tolerate them if they did.
First off, for the sake of accuracy, the photos of Lambert kissing a guy were all over the web throughout last season’s American Idol. I imagine his contract forbade him from coming out during the show. He came out within two weeks of the shows finale.
Next, without going into it, I think Dan and Tim both make interesting points. I’m not that invested in this issue to get worked up over it.
Finally, aside from the fact that Lambert’s performance would have been more suited to the MTV music awards (where taste is an option), than network television, the real crime was how uninspired the performance was. He has talent, but it wasn’t on display at the AMAs.
Lambert is a musical performer. You really expect him to act like a monk? No performer can afford to be asexual these days – ask Clay Aiken.
Why is this website deleting pro-Adam comments? Do you have to be against him to have your comments posted here? WTF???
And yet, America is now having a much needed, long over-due conversation which includes B. Daniel Blatt and everyone else commenting on this blog. Some may feel this tacky, loud-mouthed drag queen (as I have heard him refered to by some) needs to keep it in the club or behind closed doors. But like it or not, Lambert’s gay critcs, too, are part of a community struggling with the fractured pieces of itself, at large (whether certain segments of the population like it admit they are part of it, or not).
Love him or hate him, Lambert is proving something to the straight world, “not every gay man is the same gay man.” I wonder if that is what, for many, really stings the most.
Sorry fellas, but you are in the minority here. Most of the articles I have read recently SUPPORT Adam Lambert. YOU people are the reason why our community is so fragmented. How can we ever earn equal rights in this country if we keep publically tearing each other down?
GLAAD absolutely did the right thing. Adam Lambert should be applauded for having the courage to come out at the beginning of his career. I’m sure he understands what could happen, as his career is new and fragile. He knew he could have been sacrificing his entire career, but he felt that being true to himself was more important than fame and fortune.
Adam is a human being who had a human reaction on stage at the AMA’s. He was under intense pressure, was extremely nervous, and he was panicking and overcompensating because the performance wasn’t going well. It’s as simple as that. As he matures and learns, his performances will get better. He is young and new to fame, and he doesn’t have anyone to follow. Coming out at the beginning of his career is forcing him to make his own path. He is going to make mistakes, but he will learn and grow from them. Stop being mean-spirited and judgemental for one second and think about what Adam must have been going through that night, and what he must be going through now.
I have a lot more respect for Adam Lambert, and his courage and kindness, than I have for you bunch of pretenious, judgemental assholes.
Wow! That’s the biggest gaping maw of an asshole (complete with cling-ons) I’ve ever seen.
Honestly, you cannot tell me that his performance would have gotten all the negative attention if a straight woman had performed it!!! There is obviously a double standard & that is clear whether you liked the performance or not.
I might if I knew what the hell you were talking about. However, my life isn’t so meaningless that I would believe anyone on American Idle charade has talent.
I’ve got more talent trimming my toe nails than any of those posseurs.
Wow, JB, so you’re telling us we all have to think alike and accusing us of fragmenting the community when the leadership of the various gay organizations–as well as guys like you–regularly deride gay Republicans because we hold different political views and refuse to accept some gay orthodoxy.
And please note, I’m not faulting Lambert for coming out. I’m faulting him for engaging in sexual antics on stage.
My, my, you do need to insult and name-call, don’t you? Really helps your argument, but does betray your prejudice and narrow-mindedness. First, you tell me I am causing problems for daring to differ with the supposed gay view of things, then you make assumptions and hurl insults.
Well, you do at least provide amusement and help confirm some of my theories of gay leftists. So, to that end, your comment is much appreciated.
Still, keeps me wondering why do folk like you hate so?
Huh,
“Adam had a human reaciton on stage”
Since when is a Choreographed sex act a ‘human reaction’?
His lewd behavior should have been considered inappropriate for any performer, regardless of orientation.
Unfortunately, a lot of people are stuck in the mindset of “anything a gay person does should be excused because of his sexuality,” which is how we end up with Kevin Jennings’s group promoting kiddie pron.
Feel free to hate his music if that’s how you feel, but carrying on about ‘how his performace did hurt the gay community’ or some such argument, is just plain wrong.
I saw Janet Jackson grabing a male dancer’s crotch, Lady Gaga breaking whiskey bottles while wearing a fake penis, Rhianna having guns on stage and being just about totally naked and all of Shrika’s female dancers air humping… Adam didn’t do anything more “immoral” than those performers did who were on EARLIER.
I get that you want openly gay celebs to be perfrect to represent you to the rest of the world in your way.
But seriously, you have got to quit pigeoholing and labelling other gays because some of you presume to know the best way a gay man should behave’. You get ticked off when heterosexists tell you how to
live you lives, yet you have no qualms heaping the same kind of pressure & criticism on one another.
To all those who whine that Adam Lambert is not the role model that they expect him to be, please feel free to step away from the computer, go into the real world and become the shining star and the beacon of gayness for all of us. Then come back and tell me if everyone (queer or straight) agreed with every single thing you did or every move you made. I’ll be waiting. 🙂
The reason GLAAD eventually backed Adam up was because when they diddn’t their subscribers started cancelling their subscriptions left right and centre,
And ABC were shocked by the Support Adam had from gay and straight fans alike.
You lot need to wake up and see an opportunity for change.
oh the anti-porn VtheK
Why did you delete my comment? Freedom of speech is not known to Gay patriots like you i guess.
Decades of homophobic straight living speaking here:
If gays want to achieve more acceptance and if gays want to further the “gays are just normal people like you” agenda, then gays had best be careful about rocking the boat.
There are a scant few militant gays to stand up to the millions of straight rednecks with short attention spans who would just as soon pound them into dust as to deal with their flamboyant crap.
Somehow, I can not image Adam Lambert at the poster boy for DADT or gay marriage.
My #6 comments were a bit more refined, but they deliver the same message: Gays to not have enough social standing to start flaunting gay sex acts in the public square.
Some people post here about the death threats and gay thrashing that takes place in the US today. Frankly, I think civil straight America has done a great job reducing gay beatings to nearly nothing. That is as it should be. Do you honestly believe that Adam Lambert’s homoerotic displays further the civil accord with those who marginally accept homosexuality as part of the social norm?
I think Rusty should doll himself up as the Gay Joan Of Arc and lead an army of gay militants and conquer the barbarians. I think Rusty would be astounded at how many gays would tell him to go suck lemon drops.
If I am wrong, I have misread the many civil minds that congregate here.
Red, thank you for the morning laugh. Nice rant. You may misrepresent me, but you do write an amusing comment.
Stop whining like a little b1tch, Red. The spam filter on gaypatriot has always been fussy.
Lefties sure can be whiny, seeing a conspiracy against them behind every tree they hug.
And after reading Red’s rant, here is my new view. What Lambert did is fine. Because Lady Gaga broke whiskey bottles while wearing a fake penis. That makes it OK. And Rhianna had guns – GUUUNNNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – onstage. (The horror – where *are* my smelling salts?)
No thanks! We’ve learned that “change” is just liberal code for “destroy”
I’m starting to believe there were really good reasons society kept gays in the closet for so long.
It did what, exactly, to help?
Adam didn’t act any better either.
So the lesson from here and this thread:
http://tinyurl.com/ybrsbnt
is apparently that gays HAVE to act like sexual deviants just so they can be gay and not straight folks. Nor should we expect better behavior from fellow gays.
The more so because it isn’t anything Blatt has done. Why, I believe he posed the question, “Why is GLAAD taking up Adam Lambert’s Cause?”
(adding “And [Lambert] doesn’t do much to improve the image of gay people” as a mere afterthought.)
Heliotrope. . .that would be MISS Joan of Arc
besides there is already a great story here, and I am sure you will certainly appreciate it.
http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~kurisuto/rusty/rusty.html
CIAO
will try this again Heliotrope, that would be Miss Joan of Arc
anyway just try the link http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~kurisuto/rusty/rusty.html
am sure you will enjoy the story
ciao