Clay Aiken confirms what we already knew
By Alexandra Heilbron on September 24, 2008 | 18 Comments
Clay Aiken has confirmed to People magazine that he’s gay, saying: “It was the first decision I made as a father.” Aiken, 29, is on the cover of the new issue, which hits newsstands Friday. “[Coming out] was the first decision I made as a father. I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.” He admitted to the magazine that he told his mother four years ago, and she cried upon hearing the news. “She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting.” About his own child, who was conceived via in vitro fertilization with his friend, music producer Jaymes Foster, Aiken says: “I have no idea if he’ll be gay or straight. It’s not something I’ll have anything to do with, or that he’ll have anything to do with. It’s already probably up inside the code there … No matter what the situation you’re in, if you’re raised in a loving environment, that’s the most important thing.”
Doesn’t matter if he’s straight or gay, he’ll make a great dad!
It is interesting that he says “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn��t raised that way, and I��m not going to raise a child to do that.�� But hasn’t he been lying, despite not being raised that way? I’m not saying that he should have necessarily come out earlier, but (apparently) he has been denying he was gay for years. I am really more interested in why he actively denied it, but now is admitting it — whether he was ashamed, felt pressure from his management in order to “appeal” to his fan base, truly felt it was nobody’s business, or some other reason. I think that the whole issue has probably been very difficult for him — it is hard enough to deal with as an individual, particularly with a religious background (and no, I am NOT condeming religious beliefs)and other societal pressures, let alone being in the media spotlight and having the issue be hovering over his head.
Many may say “who cares, it is no one’s business” but the more celebs who admit it without making a big issue out of it will hopefully help remove some of the social stigma attached with being gay.
I don’t recall him actively denying it, I know he’s never admitted it publicly though. And who can blame him? The media were like wolves, badgering him again and again with questions about his sexuality, which is something he should have the right to keep private.
all really good comments above
curious though, there’s been a steady stream of “gay” storylines on here lately – and it seems to garnish a lot of response, and unfortunately some derogatory opinions.
haven’t we progressed further that we as a society can accept other’s partner choices without passing negative judgement should their lifestyle choices not mirror our own?
good for Clay. Be who you are.
not wanting the whole world to know if your gay is not really lying
No, but by NOT “coming out” WAS hiding something and in his own words “I was not raised to lie or to hide things”.
“Coming out” is hard enough without the media breathing down your neck about it. It’s an extremely personal decision and it’s not something you just up and do one morning. It takes time. It doesn’t surprise me that it took Clay so long to openly admit it, it took my 5 years. But in the end, it’s for the best. Having that child probably put a lot of things in perspective for Clay and I applaud for being so brave. It’s not an easy thing to do. Congrats, Clay. Welcome to the gay-borhood. 🙂
A persons’ personal life is exactly that. . .personal. Whether a person is gay, straight or otherwise is no ones business except for themselves.
Clay hasn’t done anyone wrong by keeping quiet about his sexuality.
he just said it aloud now because he probably needs the money and the magazine needed a cover.
the guy is still a loser.
At least he doesn’t look like Chucky from Child’s Play in this photo….instead he looks like K.D. Lang…with lots of make-up. LMAO
All I could say’s, poor kid. I mean for Clay’s kid, not him.
Maybe Clay’s dating Lance Bass!!!
spidey do you mean poor kid cause clay’s gay or poor kid cause clay’s his dad?
sorry trib…but i mean both!!!
People Magazine actually paid him $500,000.00 for his coming out story and the first pictures of his kid. Personally, I wouldn’t pay Clay Aiken half a million dollars to tell the world what we already knew but that’s just me. Cute kid though.
people actually paid him $500,ooo.oo i wonder how much they would pay me to tell them that the sky’s blue
Why is it a surprise People paid that?
Just look at the “gay” storylines posted here, always generate among the largest responses.
Clay’s preference may be obvious to many, but he still gets the tongues wagging
Well personally, I think he was definately overpaid!! But, maybe he will throw in his $100,000 with Brad Pitt’s and James Cameron’s.
Gee – I saw the screaming headline and I thought the baby was gay!
Everyone already knew Clay was gay, and nobody cares. He seems like a decent guy and will probably be a good father.