“I just think you guys in the UK are way further ahead” Says popstar and American Idol looser Adam Lambert in this months issue of the UK’s Gay Times magazine.
It seems that wherever Lambert is, there is controversy – from his over use of guyliner, his opinion polarising album cover, then of course there was last year’s American Music Awards performance, where he kissed and groped a male member of the band, which drew thousands of complaints to the TV network ABC, mainly from the religious audience members. Adam Lambert it seems, can do little without either upsetting or offending people.
“It catches me off guard,” he admits, recalling the AMA nightmare. “In my circle, and in a lot of the underground clubs and performance spaces in Los Angeles nobody thinks twice about it, they love it. Then I gave what I thought was a harmless performance and everybody jumps down my throat about it. And I’m like ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise it was going to be that big a deal.’” he says in the gushing and sugary interview.
“I just think you guys in the UK are way further ahead in terms of tolerance,” he adds. “It’s really interesting. In the UK and in Europe proper, it’s less of an issue because people are more comfortable with their sexualities And not just the gay thing, but even playful things, like the concept of androgyny. That is something that generally many Americans are uncomfortable with. Mixing masculine and feminine stereotypes together and playing with it, people get suspicious about it.”
However, even in his Gay Times interview, the singer still manages to upset and alienate part of what should be his core target audience, by attacking Susan Boyle. He’s not a bit bitter by the fact that his album was well and truly outsold by the Scottish singer. “I know, if only it weren’t for Susan Boyle!” Adam laughs. “I’m happy for her success, but that album is terrible. Wild Horses is the one that made me laugh the hardest. I just died when I heard it, I was crying with laughter. It was the most horrendous, sacrilegious treatment of that song!
During the interview he opens up, talks on many things including the Muse penned song, ‘Soaked’ on his album – “I love the song; lyrically I feel I can relate to it. From a dark place, it’s about that viscous circle of going out and trying to fill a void by getting laid, but doing it by getting wasted in a bar and going home with somebody. That’s what it’s about for me. I’ve been through that: I’m 27 years old and I’ve lived a life where I was looking for something… for meaning, or love, but looking for it in the wrong way.”
An example of how much ahead the British are, check statements made by Prime Minister Gordon Brown!
UK’s Prime Minister Supports Gay Rights!
The United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday praised Britain’s gay armed forces, and his support of ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Last night at his official home, Number 10 Downing Street, a reception was held to celebrate February’s lesbian gay bisexual and transgender history month. Gordon Brown singled out those lesbians, gays and bisexuals from the Army, Navy and Air Force who attended the event in uniform. “You are the pride of our country and we thank you very much. We know this debate continues in America today. I would say to people who still support ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’, look at our experience in Britain.” He told them.
The PM also spoke of James Parks, a police officer who was injured in Liverpool last year in an unprovoked homophobic attach and has spent a great deal of time recovering from the attack. “We all went into shock and morning as a spate of homophobic and transphobic attacks happened and as James Parks was hospitalized our thoughts were with him.” James Parks was at the reception along with his newly-wed civil partner, Tom.
Among the guests at the reception at Number 10, in London with Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, were television presenter Paul O’Grady who found fame and a place in the nations hearts as drag queen Lilly Savage. Openly gay actor Antony Cotton, who plays a gay character in one of the UK’s leading soaps. Artist Maggi Hamblin, broadcaster Amy Lamé, writer Jeanette Winterson. Also present were a good number of openly gay politicians, these included including Chris Bryant MP, Ben Bradshaw MP, Lord Chris Smith and Michael Cashman MEP.
Gordon Brown has on many occasions supported gay groups, gay rights and has stood up for equality. Last night, he reaffirmed that support – “I will not give up on the fight for justice until justice is achieved.”
