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June 9, 2009 | 7:07 pm

Adam Lambert’s gay liberation in Rolling Stone

Posted by Danielle Berrin

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Today the internet is ablaze with news of Adam Lambert’s self-outing in Rolling Stone magazine. I find the outpouring fascinating and confusing, while the news itself of course, is utterly unsurprising. “I don’t think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay,” Lambert admitted to Rolling Stone. Which is one reason why it’s fascinating: absent any kind of shock value, Lambert’s coming out is being treated like a triumphal celebration. Imagine telling that to Harvey Milk.

The idea that a singer’s sexuality is so darned newsworthy and important is an ironic comment on the gulf between American pop culture and American politics.

Two weeks ago, the California Supreme Court upheld the Prop 8 ban on gay marriage. Today, rock music’s most promising new star poses seductively on the cover of an iconic American magazine to declare he’s gay and he’s proud. But while the headline promises, “The Liberation of Adam Lambert,” the visual conveys a different message. Rolling Stone touts its subversive appetite with the pointed placement of a snake—the bible’s most sinister creature—heading straight for Lambert’s groin. It’s as if it’s saying, ‘Who cares that a snake is heading for your private part? You’re on the COVER of Rolling Stone!’ Unfortunately, gaydom’s new cover boy harbors no ambitions for advancing the cause: He tells Rolling Stone, “I’m trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader.”

Lambert held out for the Rolling Stone platform because he thought it would be “cooler” to come out to a rock magazine than a melee of reporters. But why is it so significant? Is it because Lambert has finally been liberated from the tight-lipped environment of American Idol, and can dress in drag without consequence? Because his being gay challenges the archetype of the virile, guitar-smashing, womanizing rock star? Or is it exciting because this is this how Hollywood’s liberal populists thumb their noses at conservatives in power? That much would make sense, considering the year’s track record: Hollywood responded to the Prop 8 ban by awarding “Milk,” a film about the assassination of a gay activist and politician, with a screenwriting Oscar. 

Option D: All of the above. Lambert can’t marry who he loves, but he can canoodle with them in West Hollywood, unafraid of paparazzi; he can be a sex-crazed rock star who is crazy about a different sex; and yes, even as gays are denied basic civil rights, Lambert can be praised for coming out and given pop culture’s brightest spotlight. And even if he doesn’t want to, or mean to, Lambert can send a message to people who don’t support gay rights that being gay is—as Lambert might say—cool.

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Being Gay isn’t cool.  I’m gay, and I’m not cool.  I am as boring as they come, America.  I don’t wear women’s clothing, don’t run around half-crazed either, don’t do drugs, and I know I’m alive because my heart is beating.  People make such a big deal out of nothing.

Comment by Thomas on 6/09/09 at 7:46 pm

Being gay, you must understand how much of an integral part of your life it is… How can you belittle it like that? I’m gay myself and although I understand what you were trying to say about the stereotypes (“I don’t wear women’s clothing, don’t run around half-crazed either, don’t do drugs…”, I don’t understand how you can diminish the significance of this event in Adam’s life to something so trivial as “People [making] such a big deal out of nothing.” Coming out is a big deal, especially with the whole country watching. He just made a whole new slew of enemies for no reason other than his sexual orientation… but you probably understand that.

Comment by Gary on 6/12/09 at 12:01 am

BRUHA KA..“BADINGER Z” KA PALA.
HALA SIGE, KISS MO KO..NOW NA!! AAaww!!

Comment by robert on 6/12/09 at 4:11 am

I’m not gay. So gays will say I have no business commenting on it. However, some significant family member ARE gay ... and not one of them “came into the world” that way. Each person had seriously alienating issues at an early age with members of the opposite sex. And so I wonder WHY Adam Lambert is gay. But regardless, he is a brilliant talent, like men from Tchaikovsky to Freddy Mercury, so I plan to listen and try NOT to think about the fact that his expressions of passion and longing are directed towards other men.

Comment by Kitty on 6/12/09 at 3:34 pm

I never had “alienating issues”; nothing tramatizing happened to me. I’m just gay. There was no “why”.

Comment by Gary on 6/14/09 at 6:32 pm

Why must there be a “why” for Adam?

Comment by Gary on 6/14/09 at 6:33 pm

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Comment by lig tv izle on 8/18/09 at 7:43 am

I think it’s the most successful cover ever made by the Rolling Stone magazine. I wonder what does the snake on his leg symbolizes? What? He’s a gay? BUT WHO CARES?! He’s an incredible human being and extremely talented artist. Even if you don’t appreciate gays, how could you think about it while listening his voice? Any other thoughts in your head?

Comment by dildo on 9/18/09 at 5:55 am

Being gay, you must understand how much of an integral part of your life it is… How can you belittle it like that? I’m gay myself and although I understand what you were trying to say about the stereotypes

Comment by download games pc on 7/07/10 at 4:08 am

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