Clay Aiken to reveal he is gay | Rters

Contents:

• CLAY AIKEN: I'M A GAY DAD
• CLAY AIKEN OUT: ‘Y, I’M GAY’
• CLAY AIKEN TO ‘PEOPLE’: ‘Y, I’M GAY’
• CLAY AIKEN TO REVEAL HE IS GAY
• CLAY AIKEN COM OUT OF CLOSET, CONFIRMS HE'S GAY
• CLAY AIKEN OF 'IDOL' ANNOUNC HE IS GAY
• AIKEN, BAXTER TO SPEAK FOR GAY RIGHTS
• CLAY AIKEN ON WHY HE’S RUNNG FOR CONGRS AGA, BEG A SOUTHERN GAY POLICIAN AND HOW TMP ‘HURT MY HEART’
• CLAY IS GAY: AIKEN OUT OF THE CLOSET
• CLAY AIKEN ACKNOWLEDG HE'S GAY
• CLAY AIKEN TALKS ABOUT BEG GAY, FATHERHOOD ON 'GOOD MORNG AMERI'
• SIMON COWELL, 'CLAYMAT' REACT TO CLAY AIKEN'S COMG OUT'I DON'T THK ANYONE R,' 'AMERIN IDOL' JUDGE SAYS, WHILE FANS RPOND WH SUPPORT, {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY JOCELYN VENASEPTEMBER 24, 2008/4:17 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY JOCELYN VENASEPTEMBER 24, 2008 / 4:17 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"SIMON COWELL, 'CLAYMAT' REACT TO CLAY AIKEN'S COMG OUT","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2008-09-24T20:17:22.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2008-09-24T20:17:22.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"JOCELYN VENA","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JT A DAY AFTER PEOPLE MAGAZE UNVEILED S VER STORY ABOUT [ARTICLE ID="1595493"]CLAY AIKEN G OUT OF THE CLOSET[/ARTICLE], SIMON COWELL RPOND TO THE NEWS HIS UAL SARSTIC FASHN. "WOW. THAT'S A SHOCK. IT'S LIKE BEG TOLD SANTA CLS ISN'T REAL," HE TOLD "EXTRA." "UNBELIEVABLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT HE DID OFFER SOME WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR THE SGER: "GOOD FOR HIM. IF HE SAID , 'S THE RIGHT THG FOR HIM. GOOD FOR HIM." COWELL ADD THAT HE DIDN'T THK THE SGER'S FANS SHOULD BE SHOCKED BY THE REVELATN, SAYG, "I DON'T THK ANYONE R. LET'S FACE : IT'S 2008. YOU KNOW. WHO R?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE YEARS AFTER THE SGER PETED ON "AMERIN IDOL" 2003, HE WOULD NEHER NFIRM NOR NY HIS SEXUALY, SPE WILD SPECULATN THAT HE WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MTV MUNY HAS RPOND MOSTLY WH [ARTICLE ID="1595484"]SUPPORT FOR AIKEN[/ARTICLE]. "CLAY ... AIKEN ... IS ... GAY? THIS IS NEWS HOW? I'M GLAD HE FALLY ME OUT, THOUGH. GOOD FOR HIM! I JT DON'T UNRSTAND HOW THIS IS WORTHY OF A MAGAZE VER OR ANY HEADLE," TS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MSPIRATE924 SAID, "SO WHAT IF HE'S GAY? HE ME OUT, AND THAT'S HIS OWN PERSONAL BS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OUTSI OF THE MTV MSAGE BOARDS, SEEMED THAT WHILE MANY AIKEN FANS -- ALSO KNOWN AS CLAYMAT -- WERE SHOCKED BY THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THEY WANTED TO SUPPORT THE "IDOL" NNER-UP. YENN ON THE OFFICIAL "AMERIN IDOL" MSAGE BOARD SAID, "IT REALLY MAK NO DIFFERENCE WHETHER CLAY IS GAY OR NOT. AND 'S GOOD TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILLDANNYSFAN ECHOED THE SENTIMENT, NGRATULATG CLAY FOR NOT ONLY OPENG UP ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, BUT ALSO FOR [ARTICLE ID="1592432"]STARTG A FAY[/ARTICLE]. "I AM SO HAPPY FOR CLAY, BOTH FOR BEG A PROUD PAPA AND FOR FALLY BEG HONT AND OPEN. I AM SURE THE RELIEF HE IS GOG TO FEEL AT NOT HAVG TO DODGE THE QUTN OVER AND OVER IS GOG TO BE AMAZG," THE MENTER SAID. "NOW HE N VOTE ALL OF HIS ENERGY TO RAISG HIS SON AND SGG HIS SONGS WHOUT HAVG TO WORRY ABOUT 'EVERYONE FDG OUT.' OH, AND DON'T HE LOOK SO PLETELY HAPPY HOLDG HIS SON?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OTHER FANS SEEMED TO BE NIAL ABOUT AIKEN'S CISN TO E OUT. PILED QUOT OM A NUMBER OF FAN S, CLUDG ONE THAT SAID, "I THK MANY WILL REALIZE TOMORROW THAT HE IS SAYG HE IS HAPPY = GAY. HAPPY ABOUT HIS NEW SON, PARKER. NOT THAT HE LIK MEN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, OTHERS TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THE SGER. ANOTHER MENTER QUOTED ON VOTEFORTHEWORST SAID, "I WAS STILL HOPG -- WANTG TO BE BLD. NOW MY STOMACH JT FEELS REVOLTED. IT WAS FUN FOR 5 YEARS. NOW FOR ME ... 'S OVER. WISHG CLAY ALL THE BT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A FAN ON THE CLAYBOARD WROTE, "I JT WISH HE WOULD HAVE KEPT QUIET ABOUT STEAD OF BLABBG A MAJOR PUBLITN. NOW I HAVE TO ENDURE THE HUIATN OF BEG PROVEN TO BE CREDIBLY STUPID! I HAVE DONATED ALL MY CLAY AIKEN TEE SHIRTS, CDS, ETC. TO CHARY AND SOME OF THE STUFF END UP THE LANDFILL, WHICH IS A GOOD PLACE FOR ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MEANWHILE, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A MENTER OR TWO WILLG TO JOKE ABOUT THE WHOLE THG. "IN OTHER NEWS, JON STEWART IS JEWISH, AND KANYE WT IS A CRYBABY," A REAR GOG BY THE HANDLE LEON DOYLE IS GOD WROTE ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AIKEN TOOK TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WEB SE TO THANK SUPPORTERS FOR STICKG BY HIS SI, ACRDG TO . "WE'LL 'TALK' MORE LATER," AIKEN WROTE. "BUT, SUFFICE TO SAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME RECENT MEMORY, I AM SPEECHLS. I'M SO PROUD TO KNOW AND LOVE ALL OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"MY FAY IS SO MUCH LARGER THAN PARKER, JAYM, MOM, BRETT, ETC. IT EXTENDS TO EACH OF YOU," HE ADD. "AND I ULDN'T BE MORE BLSED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• CLAY AIKEN, WHO IS OPENLY GAY, ME OUT AFTER THE BIRTH OF HIS SON – WHAT IS HE DOG NOW?

CLAY AIKEN: I'M A GAY DAD

Inspired by his newborn son, the sger acknowledg what has long been mored: He's gay. 8 birth of his son Parker, sger Clay Aiken is followg through on a promise he ma to himself as a new dad: to publicly acknowledge that he’s gay.

“Whether be havg a child out of wedlock, or whether be simply beg a homosexual, ’s gog to be a lot, ” said Aiken, who returned to Broadway last week as Sir Rob Monty Python’s Spamalot. The born-aga Christian sger also reveals how he told his mother Faye he’s gay four years ago.

Says Aiken: “I have no ia if he’ll be gay or straight.

CLAY AIKEN OUT: ‘Y, I’M GAY’

Amerin Idol Season 7 nner-up David Archuleta has discsed the journey he went on wh his sexualy a recent social media post.On Instagram June (aka Pri Month), the sger and Mormon revealed that he discsed g out as gay to his fay 2014, six years after beg on Idol.The post scrib how Archuleta stggled to fd a better scriptn of his sexualy than simply "gay." He wrote: "I've been open to myself and my close fay for some years now that I am not sure about my own sexualy. I me out 2014 as gay to my fay. Amerin Idol had s first gay nttant way back s first season wh Jim Verraros, who ma the top 10.Out his public life, he has sce said that Fox ma him lete an onle journal post where he talked about his sexualy, wh the work claimg he was not able to "self-promote" as a nttant.He told The Advote: "Lookg back, [the work's policy] uld be terpreted a bunch of different ways.

Clay Aiken was the first to achieve this Season 2.Shortly after his n on the show, Aiken told Rollg Stone: "One thg I've found of people the public eye, eher you're a womanizer or you've got to be gay. He me out as gay 2016. That's why I wanted to share my own story as a gay man."Danny Noriega.

CLAY AIKEN TO ‘PEOPLE’: ‘Y, I’M GAY’

He said, "I don't thk should be a surprise for anyone to hear I'm gay. I've been livg Los Angel for eight years as a gay man.

I've been at clubs dnk makg out wh somebody the rner."Nathaniel MarshallAfter makg to the top 36 of Season 8, Marshall first starred MTV realy show The Gay Real World. He then went on to a reer gay porn unr the name Jadyn Daniels.He told The Sword magaze: "I have always been a very sexual human beg. I am not this gay, feme boy.

CLAY AIKEN TO REVEAL HE IS GAY

Clay Aiken appears on the ver of the latt People magaze holdg his fant son, Parker Foster Aiken, wh the headle: “Y, I’m Gay. ”The 29-year-old former “Amerin Idol” nner-up, multiplatum rerdg artist and Broadway star creds his son, nceived by -vro fertilizatn wh iend and producer Jaym Foster, wh makg him realize that he uld no longer hi his homosexualy om the world.

”Aiken, who rose to fame on “Idol” 2003, has long been the subject of mors and tabloid fodr that he was gay, but ually refed to acknowledge them. ”Aiken said he only told his fay that he was gay four years ago. ”Gay groups appld Aiken’s public admissn.

“We ngratulate Clay for makg this cisn and for settg an example for others and his fay, ” said Neil Giuliano, print of the Gay & Lbian Alliance Agast Defamatn. As we’re seeg, more and more gay people, cludg celebri, are livg openly and hontly, and this has tremendo impact terms of creatg awarens, unrstandg and acceptance.

CLAY AIKEN COM OUT OF CLOSET, CONFIRMS HE'S GAY

“This is really shockg news as I had no ia he was gay, ” read a ment posted by “Sheridansq.

Clay Aiken is openly gay. As he spoke wh People Magaze and nfirmed his inty as gay for the first time the year 2008.

CLAY AIKEN OF 'IDOL' ANNOUNC HE IS GAY

Clay Aiken To ‘People’: ‘Y, I’m Gay’. Clay Aiken is fally nfirmg what many people already knew: He's gay.

Clay Aiken is fally nfirmg what many people already knew: He’s gay. The ver of the latt People magaze shows Aiken holdg his fant son, Parker Foster Aiken, wh the headle: “Y, I’m Gay. "I had never really realized that I was gay until I met someone who worked on the show and who, you know, [kd of told me]  one way or another, " he says, pair break down their favore moments wh the origal judgg panel, reflectg on Simon Cowell's harsh, yet hont feedback and Pla Abdul's gentler approach.

AIKEN, BAXTER TO SPEAK FOR GAY RIGHTS

"Y, I'm Gay, " the magaze's tagle read. If elected, he will work to bat whe supremacy, racism, and homophobia, and more. LOS ANGELES (Rters) - After years of dodgg qutns, former “Amerin Idol” sger Clay Aiken will acknowledge he is a gay man an terview wh People magaze set to n on s Web se Wednday, acrdg to media reports.

Celebry se on Tuday published a photo of the ver of People magaze’s upg issue on which Aiken cradl his new son, Parker Foster Aiken, his ptn reads “Y, I’m Gay, ” and unrneath is a quote om Aiken on his cisn to e out of the closet that says: “I nnot raise a child to lie or to hi thgs.

A spokwoman for People would neher nfirm nor ny that Aiken told the magaze he is gay.

CLAY AIKEN ON WHY HE’S RUNNG FOR CONGRS AGA, BEG A SOUTHERN GAY POLICIAN AND HOW TMP ‘HURT MY HEART’

”For years, Aiken has dodged qutns about whether he is homosexual spe persistent mors on the subject. NEW YORK – Clay Aiken appears on the ver of the latt People magaze holdg his fant son, Parker Foster Aiken, wh the headle: "Y, I'm Gay.

"The 29-year-old former "Amerin Idol" nner-up, multiplatum rerdg artist and Broadway star creds his son, nceived by -vro fertilizatn wh iend and producer Jaym Foster, wh makg him realize that he uld no longer hi his homosexualy om the world. "Aiken, who rose to fame on "Idol" 2003, has long been subject of mors and tabloid fodr that he was gay, but ually refed to acknowledge them. "Aiken said he only told his fay that he was gay four years ago.

CLAY IS GAY: AIKEN OUT OF THE CLOSET

"Gay groups appld Aiken's public admissn.

"We ngratulate Clay for makg this cisn and for settg an example for others and his fay, " said Neil Giuliano, print of the Gay & Lbian Alliance Agast Defamatn.

As we're seeg, more and more gay people, cludg celebri, are livg openly and hontly, and this has tremendo impact terms of creatg awarens, unrstandg and acceptance. 24, 2008Clay Aiken the performer and “Amerin Idol” personaly, has announced that he is gay an terview wh People magaze.

CLAY AIKEN ACKNOWLEDG HE'S GAY

24, 2008 — -- In his first televisn terview sce revealg he is gay, Clay Aiken told "Good Morng Ameri" that after the birth of his son was "time to let the guard down. "The "Amerin Idol" alum, 29, appears on the ver of People magaze this week, cradlg his new son, next to the headle, "Y, I'm Gay.

CLAY AIKEN TALKS ABOUT BEG GAY, FATHERHOOD ON 'GOOD MORNG AMERI'

Beg a gay man, wasn't somethg for me that was gog to be an optn eher way. He publicly me out as gay 2008 and has been three public relatnships.

Sce revealg his sexualy, he has been a strong advote of LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken about anti-gay bullyg on Capol Hill on behalf of the Gay, Lbian and Straight Edutn Network. More than a year after disclosg he is gay, Clay Aiken is speakg before a gay-rights event his will liver a speech about gay rights this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign Carolas gala Raleigh, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednday. 25, 2010, 2:11 AM UTC / Source: The Associated PrsMore than a year after disclosg he is gay, Clay Aiken is speakg before a gay-rights event his will liver a speech about gay rights this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign Carolas gala Raleigh, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednday.

SIMON COWELL, 'CLAYMAT' REACT TO CLAY AIKEN'S COMG OUT'I DON'T THK ANYONE R,' 'AMERIN IDOL' JUDGE SAYS, WHILE FANS RPOND WH SUPPORT, {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY JOCELYN VENASEPTEMBER 24, 2008/4:17 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY JOCELYN VENASEPTEMBER 24, 2008 / 4:17 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"SIMON COWELL, 'CLAYMAT' REACT TO CLAY AIKEN'S COMG OUT","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2008-09-24T20:17:22.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2008-09-24T20:17:22.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"JOCELYN VENA","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JT A DAY AFTER PEOPLE MAGAZE UNVEILED S VER STORY ABOUT [ARTICLE ID="1595493"]CLAY AIKEN G OUT OF THE CLOSET[/ARTICLE], SIMON COWELL RPOND TO THE NEWS HIS UAL SARSTIC FASHN. "WOW. THAT'S A SHOCK. IT'S LIKE BEG TOLD SANTA CLS ISN'T REAL," HE TOLD "EXTRA." "UNBELIEVABLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT HE DID OFFER SOME WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR THE SGER: "GOOD FOR HIM. IF HE SAID , 'S THE RIGHT THG FOR HIM. GOOD FOR HIM." COWELL ADD THAT HE DIDN'T THK THE SGER'S FANS SHOULD BE SHOCKED BY THE REVELATN, SAYG, "I DON'T THK ANYONE R. LET'S FACE : IT'S 2008. YOU KNOW. WHO R?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE YEARS AFTER THE SGER PETED ON "AMERIN IDOL" 2003, HE WOULD NEHER NFIRM NOR NY HIS SEXUALY, SPE WILD SPECULATN THAT HE WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MTV MUNY HAS RPOND MOSTLY WH [ARTICLE ID="1595484"]SUPPORT FOR AIKEN[/ARTICLE]. "CLAY ... AIKEN ... IS ... GAY? THIS IS NEWS HOW? I'M GLAD HE FALLY ME OUT, THOUGH. GOOD FOR HIM! I JT DON'T UNRSTAND HOW THIS IS WORTHY OF A MAGAZE VER OR ANY HEADLE," TS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MSPIRATE924 SAID, "SO WHAT IF HE'S GAY? HE ME OUT, AND THAT'S HIS OWN PERSONAL BS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OUTSI OF THE MTV MSAGE BOARDS, SEEMED THAT WHILE MANY AIKEN FANS -- ALSO KNOWN AS CLAYMAT -- WERE SHOCKED BY THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THEY WANTED TO SUPPORT THE "IDOL" NNER-UP. YENN ON THE OFFICIAL "AMERIN IDOL" MSAGE BOARD SAID, "IT REALLY MAK NO DIFFERENCE WHETHER CLAY IS GAY OR NOT. AND 'S GOOD TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILLDANNYSFAN ECHOED THE SENTIMENT, NGRATULATG CLAY FOR NOT ONLY OPENG UP ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, BUT ALSO FOR [ARTICLE ID="1592432"]STARTG A FAY[/ARTICLE]. "I AM SO HAPPY FOR CLAY, BOTH FOR BEG A PROUD PAPA AND FOR FALLY BEG HONT AND OPEN. I AM SURE THE RELIEF HE IS GOG TO FEEL AT NOT HAVG TO DODGE THE QUTN OVER AND OVER IS GOG TO BE AMAZG," THE MENTER SAID. "NOW HE N VOTE ALL OF HIS ENERGY TO RAISG HIS SON AND SGG HIS SONGS WHOUT HAVG TO WORRY ABOUT 'EVERYONE FDG OUT.' OH, AND DON'T HE LOOK SO PLETELY HAPPY HOLDG HIS SON?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OTHER FANS SEEMED TO BE NIAL ABOUT AIKEN'S CISN TO E OUT. PILED QUOT OM A NUMBER OF FAN S, CLUDG ONE THAT SAID, "I THK MANY WILL REALIZE TOMORROW THAT HE IS SAYG HE IS HAPPY = GAY. HAPPY ABOUT HIS NEW SON, PARKER. NOT THAT HE LIK MEN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, OTHERS TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THE SGER. ANOTHER MENTER QUOTED ON VOTEFORTHEWORST SAID, "I WAS STILL HOPG -- WANTG TO BE BLD. NOW MY STOMACH JT FEELS REVOLTED. IT WAS FUN FOR 5 YEARS. NOW FOR ME ... 'S OVER. WISHG CLAY ALL THE BT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A FAN ON THE CLAYBOARD WROTE, "I JT WISH HE WOULD HAVE KEPT QUIET ABOUT STEAD OF BLABBG A MAJOR PUBLITN. NOW I HAVE TO ENDURE THE HUIATN OF BEG PROVEN TO BE CREDIBLY STUPID! I HAVE DONATED ALL MY CLAY AIKEN TEE SHIRTS, CDS, ETC. TO CHARY AND SOME OF THE STUFF END UP THE LANDFILL, WHICH IS A GOOD PLACE FOR ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MEANWHILE, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A MENTER OR TWO WILLG TO JOKE ABOUT THE WHOLE THG. "IN OTHER NEWS, JON STEWART IS JEWISH, AND KANYE WT IS A CRYBABY," A REAR GOG BY THE HANDLE LEON DOYLE IS GOD WROTE ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AIKEN TOOK TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WEB SE TO THANK SUPPORTERS FOR STICKG BY HIS SI, ACRDG TO . "WE'LL 'TALK' MORE LATER," AIKEN WROTE. "BUT, SUFFICE TO SAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME RECENT MEMORY, I AM SPEECHLS. I'M SO PROUD TO KNOW AND LOVE ALL OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"MY FAY IS SO MUCH LARGER THAN PARKER, JAYM, MOM, BRETT, ETC. IT EXTENDS TO EACH OF YOU," HE ADD. "AND I ULDN'T BE MORE BLSED."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

He says that means allowg homosexuals to marry and enjoy rights that heterosexual upl take for granted like herance and hospal visatn. "It's more important to me, as a parent, that my son have all the rights — if he's gay — than is for me. Some fay members have handled news of Aiken's homosexualy better than others, he said.

As the 43-year-old explaed to Variety, Aiken — who me out as gay 2008 — was not really expectg to n aga, until an anti-gay speech by his state’s Litenant Governor, Mark Robson, changed his md. He gave a speech which he said, “What is the purpose of homosexualy?

CLAY AIKEN, WHO IS OPENLY GAY, ME OUT AFTER THE BIRTH OF HIS SON – WHAT IS HE DOG NOW?

What purpose do homosexuals serve? One of the thgs that you talked about your mpaign vio was, if you were elected, you’d be the first openly gay member of Congrs om the South. How do you feel that the ncept of beg openly gay the public eye has changed sce you were on “Idol” 2003 and me out publicly 2008?

I don’t thk there has been, that I n ppot right now, a civil rights movement or a human rights movement that has progrsed as quickly as the fight for gay rights has between the years of 2003 and 2022. So I don’t know if they were gay, but I was pretty sure they were.