Clay's Aiken's Overdue Honesty

"Overdue honesty"? Why on earth would Aiken's sexuality or anything else about his personal life be anyone elses's interest or business? I used to respect Newsweek as a journalistic icon inthis country-apparently it is now a rag.

Conservative, panty tossing Claymates? I'm about as liberal and non-religious as they come and I've been a Claymate for 5 years. We've been as ignorantly typecast as Clay has. I applaud his coming out.. I know this has been difficult for him growing up in a very conservative Southern Baptist home (though he himself has always been socially progressive and is a registered Democrat.) Very harsh article about something very very personal and shame on you. You've really sunk to a new low.

ddd

Why on earth does the author of this article think he is entitled to this information? Or that anyone is entitled to this information? A "celebrity" should be able to choose what they reveal about their own personal lives as long as it is not illegal and they are not harming anyone else. In fact it is refreshing when celebrities DO keep things to themselves. We should all have the right to keep our personal lives personal. The tone of this article is just creepy, condescending, and bitter. The author is an ass.

I don't care whether Clay had decided to come out at 20, 29 or 50 what would be truly upsetting is if he admitted to lip-syncing to his songs.

Setoodeh are you gay? I'm not. So I wouldn't pretend to know when an individual "should" come out in a society which is still largely homophobic and in which large pockets of people are openly malicious - even violent toward gays. Too little, too late? Sure, we'd be better off if every gay person the U.S. came out at once. But would each individual gay person? What relationships would be shattered? What familial ties would be severed? I'm not even a fan of Aiken's. I just don't think you should pretend to read his mind. And to say that Lohan dealt with it easily, so he should, too is to pretend there's a level socio-religious playing field providing an identical backdrop for everyone in the United States. There isn't. And you're saying "he shoulda done it this way" hearkens back to the old conservative mantra of "pull yourself up by your own boostraps, pal." Cold, removed, and not at all compassionate.

Setoodeh are you gay? I'm not. So I wouldn't pretend to know when an individual "should" come out in a society which is still largely homophobic and in which large pockets of people are openly malicious - even violent toward gays. Too little, too late? Sure, we'd be better off if every gay person the U.S. came out at once. But would each individual gay person? What relationships would be shattered? What familial ties would be severed? I'm not even a fan of Aiken's. I just don't think you should pretend to read his mind. And to say that Lohan dealt with it easily, so he should, too is to pretend there's a level socio-religious playing field providing an identical backdrop for everyone in the United States. There isn't. And you're saying "he shoulda done it this way" hearkens back to the old conservative mantra of "pull yourself up by your own boostraps, pal." Cold, removed, and not at all compassionate.

Setoodeh are you gay? I'm not. So I wouldn't pretend to know when an individual "should" come out in a society which is still largely homophobic and in which large pockets of people are openly malicious - even violent toward gays. Too little, too late? Sure, we'd be better off if every gay person the U.S. came out at once. But would each individual gay person? What relationships would be shattered? What familial ties would be severed? I'm not even a fan of Aiken's. I just don't think you should pretend to read his mind. And to say that Lohan dealt with it easily, so he should, too is to pretend there's a level socio-religious playing field providing an identical backdrop for everyone in the United States. There isn't. And you're saying "he shoulda done it this way" hearkens back to the old conservative mantra of "pull yourself up by your own boostraps, pal." Cold, removed, and not at all compassionate.

This article is awfully harsh on him. Your sexuality is something very personal, and every person has a right to choose when they come "out". The only reason he had to lie so much was because he was asked so much....just let him be and be happy for him.

This is what passes for Newsweek journalism these days? The article posits an interesting theory that any question asked by a journalist must be not only be answered but answered honestly. Apparently, the court of public opinion is now a legally binding entity, much like a court of law (except, of course, in a court of law you have a representative who can object when pointless, lurid questions are raised in an attempt to undermine a person's character)

So, since I've been a professional journalist for 15 years, answer me this, Ramin: How big is your penis? Let me remind you, you're under oath, and if you tell me you've got a mighty oak and I find out you're actually sporting a tiny sapling, I'll be forced to write an article questioning your moral integrity.

I guess that's what we can expect from a nation that was far more interested in whether a president lied about sex with an intern than whether a president lied about the reason he sent the country into a pointless war that's killed tens of thousands and quite possibly crippled the economy for generations to come. Americans (especially journalists) need to stop peeking into the underwear drawers of celebrities and start paying attention to the giant steamroller that's bearing down on them.

I'm sorry, but in what universe is this news? Really, NO ONE CARES!!!!!

I'm sorry, but there's absolutely nothing newsworthy about this. Let me make it clear: No one cares. Really. NO ONE CARES!!!!!

I knew a fan who celebrated his birthday with a birthday CLAYKE!...lol hilarious! well i hope she still loves him. i m sure she's still his 'fly on the wall.'

I am really disappointed in Newsweek on this article. It doesn't come across as important or newsworthy. It comes across as a bitter whiny journalist that is upset that he was lied to. I don't know much about Clay Aiken, I don't really know his music. However, if I was in Aiken's shoes and people were constantly probing me about a part of my personal life that I felt needed to be private, I would lie about it to protect myself and my privacy. It takes a lot for one person to say, "No, I am choosing when I declare something about myself, the media won't choose it for me." It takes a lot for them be ready to tell the world something important about themselves. The media, with articles such as this, has changed the meaning once that person decides they are ready to tell the world, they have turned it into, an "I told you so.." instead of a "congratulations, that must have been difficult, celebrate it!"

I am glad for Clay Aiken, that he had the courage to tell the world that he is gay, that he stood his ground and refused to be bullied by the media. But Newsweek taints that by writing such a childish and whiny article, it really makes me reconsider the respect I have for Newsweek.

Yeesh - this is what passes for Newsweek journalism these days? Why not ask all the guys you interview how long their penis is? Because you're implying in this article that if you're a celebrity, the public has a right to know EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU!!! Post their credit scores, pictures of their weird uncles, testimonials from every person they ever slept with. Having talent equals full disclosure, people!

I have thought from the moment that I heard that he was going to be a father that it was a stunt to further convince the public that he was straight. His coming out is the ultimate "non news."

The funniest thing in all this are the fans feigning surprise and anger. I mean, honestly, they REALLY didn't think he was gay? Really?? I picked up on that during his first audition! They must be the most gullible people on the planet. Good for Clay, though, for finally being able to be himself. This article is condescending and smacks of bitterness that Clay didn't offer the story to Newsweek instead of People. His sexuality is his business and, like jstlawrence said, it's no surprise why he wanted to keep it a secret. He's from a conservative area and was raised with conservative, highly Christian values. Doesn't exactly go hand in hand with homosexuality, especially with the persecution by the bible thumpers. Good for Clay and any of his fans that are mad must not have been real fans in the first place. He'll be a great father, his son is lucky to have him.

This piece is neither competent journalism nor entertainment. "He'll have to come up with a reason why he lied for so long?" Gee, what could it be about the way homosexuals are treated, besides the ridicule, ostracism, and violence they face? Sounds like this report is annoyed with Aiken after sparring his way through an interview and decided to get nasty. There is no room for such childish and petty vindictiveness in journalism, Mr. Setoodeh. If you can't handle the stress of entertainment reporting, perhaps you should pursue a more soothing career, like knitting.