Clay's Aiken's Overdue Honesty

Actually, Mr. Setoodeh, it IS no one's business. People can talk - we did all suspect it - but in the end, no one should pass such judgement as this article because no one but he can possibly understand his experience. Homosexual people have reasons for being out or not being out. Clay Aiken never owed the world such a private confession; it is simply our privilege that we have it.

And shame on you for suggesting he should not be praised for coming out at the elderly age of 29. Of course he should be praised. People go from being borderline homophobic to coming out all the time. Coming out is a process - and it should never be an expectation.

This writer is a little prick.

This writer is a little prick.

What a bunch of self-righteous crap from this "reporter",

Who gives a damn about whether the guy is gay?

Is the "reporter" hurt that his questions about Aiken's sexuality went unanswered? Aww. Sorry your question wasn't unaswered. That must really hurt.

Well, at least you can feel better knowing that in the midst of economic crisis, a war, daily near daily terrorist explosions around the world, you are doing your part to benefit the world by hitting the important news items of the day.

It really is no one's business. Plus, your article and headline are misleading: you fail to name one time he actually denied being gay. He ignored questions or didn't want to discuss it, but never actually denied being gay or confirmed that he was straight. Sounds like you have a personal stake in this.

It is not up to the writer of this article to determine when it is right for anyone to "come out," nor is it acceptable for this author to talk about Clay Aiken "lying." The writer seems obsessed about how Clay Aiken "lied," and how, since gay people have been shown on TV shows, that it is apparently "okay" for gay people to "come out." If the writer had any sensitivity at all, he/she would understand the horrors associated with coming out, even in this day and age. If Clay "lied" about his sexuality, it was because of the fears a closeted gay person knows so well: the hatred, the name-calling, the jokes, the dismissals, the loss of work, future employment, and more. The writer seems to believe that because "Ellen DeGeneres" came out 10 years ago that therefore all other gay people will be welcomed with open arms. And Lilo has a girlfriend! So what? What's your point?

Americans are generally unaccepting of gay people, except for a few lucky celebrities. Perhaps Clay will be one of them. Whether or not he is, he should not be criticized for not "coming out" instantly. Until gay people can be treated as equals in this world, there will be millions of other Clays, hiding in closets until they either can't stand it anymore or decide to take a chance and hope for the best. The writer clearly does not understand that there is still a great stigma attached with being gay in the US, especially for men.

It really is no one's business. Plus, your article and headline are misleading: you fail to name one time he actually denied being gay. He ignored questions or didn't want to discuss it, but never actually denied being gay or confirmed that he was straight. Sounds like you have a personal stake in this.

The author seems to be seeking revenge against a fellow human being who had the audacity to not tell the world of the most personal part of his life when demanded of him. It's just another form of homophobia to think that every gay person, by virtue of their orientation, must bow down to the inquiries of the media as if under subpeona. I have the utmost respect for Clay for waiting until he was ready to share with the world his most personal information.

It is not up to the writer of this article to determine when it is right for anyone to "come out," nor is it acceptable for this author to talk about Clay Aiken "lying." The writer seems obsessed about how Clay Aiken "lied," and how, since gay people have been shown on TV shows, that it is apparently "okay" for gay people to "come out." If the writer had any sensitivity at all, he/she would understand the horrors associated with coming out, even in this day and age. If Clay "lied" about his sexuality, it was because of the fears a closeted gay person knows so well: the hatred, the name-calling, the jokes, the dismissals, the loss of work, future employment, and more. The writer seems to believe that because "Ellen DeGeneres" came out 10 years ago that therefore all other gay people will be welcomed with open arms. And Lilo has a girlfriend! So what? What's your point?

Americans are generally unaccepting of gay people, except for a few lucky celebrities. Perhaps Clay will be one of them. Whether or not he is, he should not be criticized for not "coming out" instantly. Until gay people can be treated as equals in this world, there will be millions of other Clays, hiding in closets until they either can't stand it anymore or decide to take a chance and hope for the best. The writer clearly does not understand that there is still a great stigma attached with being gay in the US, especially for men.

Who the *** cares.. Do you see what is really happening in this world.. Our Fraudulant Government.. War and death.. Dishonesty and the lies we are force fed daily.. Get a grip on reality peeps.. Open your eyes and your Hearts and see what is really going on. .. Revolution in their minds the children start to march.. Gay and Straight.. Peace

It's still his personal business, and nobody can decide for him when the best time is to come out of the closet. Isn't it another kinfd of gay bashing to demand that a person reveal the most intimate part of their being because YOU feel they should?

I don't see why it's anyone's business if he's gay or straight. Who cares who and what he has sex with as long as he gets his work done and doesn't harm anyone. Good for him for talking about it, but he shouldn't be criticized for wanting to be private about it, especially since he comes from a southern christian background.