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Yes, Adam Lambert. You’re right.
Hiphop artists and women get away with salacious performances all the time without an uproar. Of course, there was that famous Madonna-and-Britney kiss that caused a stir, but that was likely because the artists were – well, Madonna and Britney.
And yes, Adam Lambert, your performance on ABC’s American Music Awards this week was not really all that raunchy. A kiss is a kiss, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I could have done without you sticking a guy’s head in your crotch spontaneously, but it happened so quickly, and in the midst of so many other things, that if the dancer didn’t mind, I’m not sure “offensive” is what I’d call it.
What I’d call it, instead, is misguided.
Here’s my problem.
You told Out magazine that you didn’t make a big deal out of your sexual orientation during American Idol once pictures of you kissing a man had been exposed because:
“I don’t understand why it has to be about my sexuality. I’m just not going to talk about it one way or another. . . . And then when those pictures came out, I was like, you know what? I thought maybe I’ll just own it and say, ‘Yeah, I’m gay.’ But I didn’t want to label myself.”
That’s interesting, Adam Lambert. When you were worried about winning a contest, you didn’t want to openly attest to being gay. (And, in fact, your people were worried that you would seem “too gay” on Out’s cover.) BUT, when you wanted to make a splash in public, when you wanted to get noticed – suddenly you were all about gay sexuality.
And so my problem is with the timing.
You see, Adam Lambert, you may say that “I’m not trying to lead the fucking way for the civil rights movement that we’re in right now,” but the fact is that we ARE in a struggle for our civil rights and you are a pop culture figure (thanks in no small part to the support of gays and gay allies.)
We are in a dangerous moment. Our political allies are quickly backing away from us, thanks to losses on gay marriage in California and Maine and the Democratic loss of the governorship in New Jersey.
Whereas just over a year ago it seemed like gay marriage was an inevitable wave sweeping the country - and a tsunami in New England, New Jersey and New York – now it feels like the tide has turned. The hate crimes bill victory was followed by a vicious hate crime in Puerto Rico. We have hearings on ENDA, which could go either way. We have Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell hearings which are being put off until 2010. We have a President who isn’t sure he is our friend.
And what is the mainstream most worried about, Adam Lambert? Why are they afraid of our partnerships, our service to our country, our working lives, our families? They are worried because they think gay life is exactly what you portrayed on the American Music Awards: focused on the kind of sex that turns people into animals (almost literally, in this case, with crawling dancers leading you on leashes), geared toward enticing children (ABC is a network owned by Disney, for heaven’s sake), degrading, rapacious, empty.
This is why mainstream America votes against gays, Adam Lambert. Not because of people who have families and jobs and bills and weddings. Because of people like you, who use sexuality thoughtlessly in order to advance your own agenda, instead of thinking about the very real consequences your actions will have on others’ civil rights.
If you were a private citizen, this wouldn’t matter. But you are not. You are able to be openly gay thanks to people who did, in fact, make it their life’s work to “lead the fucking way for the civil rights movement.” You dishonor them – and you hurt all American gays and lesbians – by pretending otherwise.
Follow Jennifer Vanasco on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JenniferVanasco
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What's funny to me is that I didn't think Lambert's was the edgiest performance *on that show*. I thought Lady Gaga would get *way* more flak for her performance -- shows what I know.
The problem that I have with your comments is that, as a transsexual, I have received similar comments just for existing. Unless I am invisible, I am hurting the cause. Gender fluidity makes people uncomfortable. And at any given moment I am either too masculine and too feminine (or usually *both*) for someone to believe my "authenticity" though I am, in fact, always well within cisgender norms.
It's not that your argument is wrong. It's that it misses the point. Every act of visibility is *both* positive and negative at the same time. It's all in the eye of the beholder, and we have much less influence over their impressions than we like to think.
One of these days I'd like to see the marriage equality movement use some of the positive ammunition transfolk have given them. We've had legal same-sex marriages in this country for *decades* due to one partner changing gender post-marriage. Every time I have to defend the legitimacy of my (lesbian, but legally "straight") marriage, it makes people question what they know. We can't even define what "one man and one woman" means -- so why try to enforce it?
And wasn't it Lady GaGa who promised everyone at the National Equality March that she would be our gallant defender against censorship and anti-gay behavior in the music industry?
Where is her commentary on what happened to Adam Lambert?
We're still waiting for her to ride up on a white horse and save the day...
Or perhaps she and her "litte monsters" only care about her album sales and HER performances being un-edited?
Yes, OMG, just the thought that straight people would have to see what gay sexuality is about. Gay people should continue to exist as non-sexual “Will and Grace” type of people to the “mainstream straight public”, just so the straights don’t get uncomfortable. Baby steps, my ass.
I’m so sick of people thinking that sex, sexuality and anything that has to do with sex is a bad thing. IT’S NOT! Jeez, I’m disgusted that societies are more ok with violence than sex.
This may come as a surprise to some people, even in the gay community, but we’re are all individuals! You think the “let’s not show our gay” is the way to get acceptance. I DON’T.
I’m glad pics of that performance are all over the internet and on every blog and article. Next time people see something like that it may not be such a HUGE deal.
Adam Lambert does more to the gay community just by being himself than people realize. I know, as I am a fan of his. Funny thing is that most of his fans are straight women. Yes, his voice is the most important thing to his fans, but his in-your-face type of sexuality is a big part of the appeal as well. We haven’t seen male artists, gay or straight, be that unapologetic about their sex appeal in years.
I don’t know Adam Lambert from Adam, but I agree that exposing America to mild gay sexual innuendo ought not to be a problem for people. Of course older people and traditionalists will not like it, will try to use it against us, but ultimately they will fail. Young people maturing into voting age won’t see racy performances with homosexual themes as a big deal at all. They are already desensitized.
Will Adam Lambert’s performances delay gay rights? I doubt it. The real weapon the anti-gay crowd has is tax-free church money which is being laundered through NOM and other anti-gay political organizations. The most effective use of that money was ads that featured the supposed anti-Chritian persecution of David Parker and the Whirthlins, whose children were given pro-gay books to read in Massachusetts public schools. That’s what torpedoed same sex marriage in California and Maine, a year and a few weeks BEFORE this performance. The traditionalists already have plenty of gay and pro-gay entertainers they make bogeymen out of, so one more is not going to make much difference.
I think that Adam Lambert is in fact *honouring* the people who fought before him. Your comments mirror the feminist backlash of the 1980's & 90's with uncanny accuracy. The people who fought for equality did it so that new generations wouldn't have to. Adam is claiming that right - he didn't want to declare he was gay on American Idol (though he made no move to hide it) and the producers didn't force him to out himself or to be outed. This is a win. Society pushed him to make a declaration, even though he wasn't 'in the closet' and he did so. If you view his pre-Idol performances his sexuality was never in question. His AMA performance was simply an example of him being himself - a right that he thought he had. It appears that all the work that has been done by our forefathers and foremothers has laid the groundwork, but hasn't been enough. It takes people like Adam to take it to the next step. I hope there are enough of us to go around.
Why do you think you have the right to lay all of this on Adam's shoulders? He's just getting started in his career. I firmly believe that the aggressiveness of his performance (the anger, etc) was LARGELY due to the editor of OUT magazine's ignorant "open letter to Adam" - I know that's why he flipped the bird at the conclusion of the performance. He also was trying to lay his magazine's agenda on Adam & his career. Why should he even do anything for the gay community? They never support HIM! This video http://www
Also, Adam made a bad judgment call, I am sure he has more than paid for it a millionfold by now. Give the guy a break, he's just starting out in the career he's always wanted to have. He's a great guy, give him time. I'm standing by him, he's an amazing artist and supreme vocalist & performer, and most of all, he's a really super nice guy.
As an articulate, warm, funny, mega-talented individual, Adam is a stellar representative of the gay community. Just ask Michael Sarver, who was one of the contestants on Idol along with him. Michael, a religious man, once a Texas oil rig worker, who less than a year ago had been quoted as saying, "Where I come from, if you're out, you're dead", now openly and honestly admits that Adam has made him a better person, changed his heart and mind completely. Adam is an extraordinary human and will change the way the world looks at the gay community.
Brava Think! I can't believe people are trying to fit Adam into their own little agenda box. . . let Adam be Adam for God's sake! His first solo performance was about sex, but his later performances were about vulnerability and hope, which shows both sides of a very extraordinary man. . . we should all strive to be more like him.
I think you are way off base. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Adam was gay during his run on American Idol, but I naively thought that wouldn't matter - the boy had pipes. After he came out, I expected him to "dumb it down" so his homosexuality wouldn't be "offensive" - I was wrong about that too.
He was out, proud, sexual, and more importantly, articulate and likeable. At one point I would have been shocked to see a gay couple holding hands in public, kissing probably would have put me over the edge. By the time the AMA's rolled around, the simulated sex shocked me a little, but I didn't give two hoots about him kissing a man. It has been small, but quick steps to my perception change.
When I get the chance, I will be first at the polls casting my vote in support of equality. Why? Because for all his naivety and overt sexuality, he is a sweet, respective young man who is trying to do a job that he likes. I am more horrified by the blatant hate that has been directed his way. I have lost respect for many people during this debaucle, but Adam isn't one of them. Now I ask you to not be naive. The people spewing hatred were never going to vote for gay marriage, but I would guess there are many others who have been jolted into making a different decision.
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An excellent, reasoned examination of what social responsibility in entertainment actually is. Ms. Vanasco makes some excellent points, and even if you don't agree with them, she has provided examples for every one of them. Surely we're evolved enough to identify when a writer is conducting an exploration, without shrilling like 13 year old fanboys and fangirls in defence of our favourite pop star. Read the article again, and if you still don't get what Ms. Vanasco is saying, read it a couple more times.
I've read it, Mike. I've read it several times. And I still find it offensive and infuriating.
Also offensive is your assumption that anyone who disagrees with Ms. Vanasco, or you, must be a shrill adolescent, obviously without any informed opinions of our own.
Possibly the perceived lack of a worthy response has something to do with the fact that the comments here only allow for 250 words. It would take me far more than 250 words to express all the ways that Ms. Vanasco herself is horribly misguided and damaging..
I'm not a prude but to say Adam set back gay rights movement is ridiculous. I suppose since Adam displayed gay sexuality on stage then Eminem sang about 17 rapes in his Slim Shady song he's a rapist and it's cool? Also Rihanna then said it's ok to do Russian Rhoulette because she had guns on stage. I am getting the gist of your article right?
My first reaction to Glambert's self-indulgent, ridiculous "performance" was that he just set the gay civil rights movement back a few steps. His filthy little act on the AMA's, clearly designed to make him appear "cool" & "edgy" (not in the least bit artistic as he so desperately claims), is EXACTLY what conservative, religious & bigoted America is convinced being gay is all about, & what they are afraid will be shoved down their throats (figuratively & perhaps literally) if "the lifestyle" is allowed to become mainstream. Most of us are working our butts off trying to help the misguided but vocal minority understand that we are no different than them in every way but the privacy of the bedroom (& even then the difference is minimal). The arrogant Glamberts & Perez Hiltons of the world only serve to make that acceptance more difficult to achieve. I am gay & watch the AMAs every year with my partner & our children. We were all disgusted by Glambert's vulgar display & I didn't appreciate having to explain it to my youngest. I am not a prude, a homophobe (as if!) or a member of the "moral majority". I'm just a mom who thinks I shouldn't have to explain why my kids are up at 9:55 p.m. on a holiday weeknight when they're out of school to watch a boy they liked on AMERICAN IDOL sing on the AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS & I especially shouldn't have to explain it to that ignorant,
I've got to say, I did cringe at this performance when I saw it and think "oh how stereotypical". But that's Adam. I'm not a fan of his; I don't think he's all that talented, I think he mostly just screams into a microphone. That being said I think the only thing he actually did that was WRONG at the AMAs was flip off the camera at the end.
But he's not Harvey Milk. He’s not even Wanda Sykes. Who knows how long he'll even be relevant in pop culture. But that's his place, pop culture, not civil rights. It's a choice that each person gay or straight makes to be an activist. He's not an activist. He's a megalomaniacal singer. Nothing more, nothing less.
And it's a dangerous thought to say that every gay person in the public has some sort of responsibility to fit into your perfect little suburban gay family portrait. We don't. Our lives, our personalities, our interests are not so one dimensional. Being gay is just part of who I am. I'm also a sister and a daughter, a Yankees fan with arachnophobia, who likes to write, take photographs, laugh, dance, and cook dinner for friends. I'm sensitive, goofy, intelligent, compassionate, sometimes stubborn, and I'm gay. It's just one piece of the puzzle. And to put this sort of "social responsibility" on any gay person is to reduce us all down to our sexuality.
Let the leaders lead and let the singers sing!
>> And it's a dangerous thought to say that every gay person in the public has some sort of responsibility to fit into your perfect little suburban gay family portrait
Yep yep yep.
That's ONE thing you can't say about Adam. . . he is NOT megalomaniacal. . . FAIL!!!
You have it all wrong, Jennifer. Adam is an individual and owes nothing to the gay community just as Britney Spears or Madonna owe nothing to the straight community. I would hate to think of Britney as my role model for marriage, for example. Why must this burden be placed on Adam's shoulders and why must he be criticized for not being the "perfect" gay person who will do everything precisely right for the cause? He's already has done so much just by being himself. People who know anything about him know that this performance is not who he is in real life. He is so much more complex than that. Because of him, I am even more sympathetic to gay rights because I love him for who he is and I want him to have all the rights that straight people have. Why is it not enough that he influences people in that way?
Brava, Jennifer!!!
I did not like the performance, and it has nothing to do with him being gay. I think it was over-sexualized and overly-proud (but he's an entertainer, so that part's usually permissible for an on-stage performance). If he had put his crotch on anyone's face, man, woman, or (hopefully not) child, then that'd be inappropriate for that venue.
I think the problem isn't that he's tarnishing the image of what it means to be gay but the fact that people are still associating him as being gay first. Homophobic people confirm the stereotype of a vulgar, depraved and sexually-frenzied gay watching him, and overly-PC gays cringe at being associated with him in the eyes of others.
It's all in the eyes of the beholder. A bigot is only going to bolster their own mental defenses when watching this, but there's nothing to be done about it in this avenue; only personal experience can change hearts. Unless Adam is coming outright and saying that this is what it means to be gay, then there's nothing to be done about it. You can call it a trashy performance or not; just don't go labeling him or his actions as 'gay'.
As a gay man I feel your statements are dangerous and hurtful. No one should have to "act" a certain way due to anyone's own feelings as to how they should act. Not everyone who is gay must act the same way. You seem to be just as intolerant as the people who cry out against gay people. In no way should Adam Lambert cater to the whims of people such as yourself who feel he is not being the right kind of gay. We have worked so hard in this country to be ourselves without having to apologize and yet here you are practically telling us he NEEDS to apologize for and change the way he is. Shame on you.
Adam Lambert threw down on that stage. He castrated Aaron Hicklin with two tweets and a 5 minute peformance. He unexpectedly came of age that night and said fu this is me to 14,500,001 people.
Go attack your real enemy who the community keeps pretending is "secretly in favor of gay marriage". I think you know who that is.
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