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Welcome Home Clay Aiken
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Melanie Nathan; 2/28/10 - Clay Aiken came out as Gay over a year ago. now he is advocating for Gay rights. If one wears the hat of celeb – and you come out as Queer — you have not come home until you use your talent and celebrity capital to come OUT FOR EQUALITY.
So yes it has been a year Clay Aiken, since you stepped out ( of the ‘fan-will -not -love -me- fear and oops-there go-my-CD/Itune-sales’ ) and embossed your sexuality with the risk of publicity.
Now we welcome Clay with gratitude as he has finally come home. Your speech at HRC – for whatever it is worth – let me think - mmm maybe a few lil ol lady crooner fans will awaken this Sunday to realize that the nice quiet ordinary looking young man who can sing well and father kids is entitled to be treated by his country with respect. Maybe HRC will spoil its coffers with some Clay money. Yeah Clay money – that is why HRC brought out the big guns for where? For North Carolina, silly. North Carolina? Yes that is where HRC hosts its second largest annual fundraiser.
Who will watch this other than the Choir? Will Clays Fans be truly informed or is this a sheltered piece of info for our friends only, Andy, Joe, Pam, et al…. hey put me in there too please, its Melanie…. Well anyway here it is and if your Mom happened to hear the speech please let me know….. here is the Link: CLAY AIKEN SPEECH AT HRC.
Via Pam’s Blend – “What the hell took me so long? I was waiting like so many folks are waiting… for change,” Aiken said. “I realized the time for waiting has passed. The power of truth and living honestly is very liberating”.
Per Melanie Nathan :- Sorry Clay I do not buy it. Waiting for change to come out – is that another word for afraid to come out in a hostile climate?
Now let me ask this HoHum …what HRC is different about this: Looks the same ol same ol to me- oh ok its centered that is what is difference.
1. “We are going to eliminate the tax that you pay on domestic partner benefits. We’re going to get rid of that this year at long last.”
2. “We are going to extend domestic partnerships to federal employees.”
3. “We are going to get people living with HIV/AIDS treatment much earlier if they are on public assistance.”
4. “And finally, finally this year we are going to bring down the discriminatory policy known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’…once and for all.”
Grrrrrrrrrrrr – Stop being realistic all the time HRC – realistic and practical has got us nothing for years. A civil rights movement cannot afford to be practical. What are these Galas about? Keeping you in Jobs? How about risky – Like – This year we are going to support the Repeal of DOMA – We are going to support Jerold Nadler’s Respect for Marriage Act, We are going to help Ugandan Gays and lesbians get the hell out of Dodge; We are going to ensure Bi-national LGBT spouses can live together in the USA.
My question is how do we win the hearts and minds (as Cliche’d as that sounds) of the ‘Lil Ol Ladies ‘ of America? The ones that do not attend Human Rights Campaign Dinners. Any ideas out there?
By Melanie Nathan. www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
www.privatecourts.com
nathan@privatecourts.com
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12 Responses to Welcome Home Clay Aiken
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thisis
March 1, 2010 at 10:28 pm
this article is so stupid…welcome home to what? oh because you’re famous and gay you have to an activist? whatever, clay aiken is an opportunist and is using this to get teh gay market for this next album…whatever, welcome home my you know what…this so-called movement will never get ahead until the so-called gay community stops acting so monolithic…how about some celebration of the the human community…geez..separate much? welcome home..too funny..and he said nothing new in his speech…what about his 6 million + album sales while lying about being gay? you think he takes that back? please, welcome home..haha
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Samantha
March 1, 2010 at 2:23 am
Well said, Faith. His fans support him 100% and many were activists before he came out and some have become activists since. What has been amazing is to see how his coming out has opened the minds of many of his fans who didn’t understand homosexuality or the issues gays face every day. It’s been inspiring to be on this journey with him.
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A "lil old lady"
March 1, 2010 at 12:17 am
Honestly….you really do not understand Clay’s fans. Those of us you deem “lil ol lady crooner fans” are the ones who helped bring you Rock, the Sex Pistols, and sexual liberation. WE are the ones who had friends in Vietnam and at Stonewall. Please do not patronize us. How arrogant. Many of us have supported Clay for his voice and for his humanitarian efforts as a man who has always fought for inclusion of others, whether it be through his his ambassadorship with UNICEF, his founding of a charity dedicated to inclusion of kids with all abilities, or his, now, speaking on behalf of LGBT rights. The fact is that everyone has the right to define his or her own truth. To demean others for following their own path is small-minded and counter-productive. I agree with the part of your article that calls for a “welcome home” to Clay. However, that welcome home can be achieve without demeaning the man or his fans. Thanks. Signed: one of those older women who helped to bring you the rights you enjoy today.
Melanie Nathan
March 1, 2010 at 4:23 am
Thanks for the report faith. My article is mostly directed at HRC as most activists will understand. I am glad his fans keep an eye. My contention is that we spend so much money and time preaching to the choir. More importantly I do not think HRC has it together in terms of their priorities and I dont think I am alone in this thinking. Thanks for the comments
Melanie Nathan
March 1, 2010 at 4:34 am
Hey I am a lil old lady too. Favorite all time song = Andy Williams Moon River. My piece is less about Clay and more about how HRC eats its meat. HRC has not made us very happy. The article is tongue in cheek to highlight one simple point and that is that celebs like Clay are not making an impact at all when all they do is talk in safe HRC and fan based environments. Its preaching to the Choir. Clay should be speaking about Gay Rights at places where people need to hear from him. Talking at HRC is rah rah – what about talking to Republicans. Inserting in events where gays cannot appear but celebs can. TV? Mooooon river wider than a mile, i’m crossing you in style, some day….
Faith
March 1, 2010 at 12:04 am
Whatever fans that had a problem with him being gay left a long time ago. His fans are 100% supportive of him, including any activism he may do. He is pretty open about his opinions at his fan club. He has answered questions regarding, “Would he ever kiss a guy that smoked” to why he can’t donate blood. He has stated his opinion regarding gay marriage and various politicians.
There were fans at the HRC Event. Those who weren’t were anxiously awaiting reports and many listened to his speech via a cellphone. Fans have actively supported Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with their $$$$.
Fans ooh and ahh over the cuteness of his partner who was with him at the event.
Most of all fans are happy because for the first time he truly looks happy.
Melanie Nathan
March 1, 2010 at 4:24 am
Melanie Nathan
Posted on March 1, 2010 at 4:23 am (Edit)
Thanks for the report faith. My article is mostly directed at HRC as most activists will understand. I am glad his fans keep an eye. My contention is that we spend so much money and time preaching to the choir. More importantly I do not think HRC has it together in terms of their priorities and I dont think I am alone in this thinking. Thanks for the comm
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