Today is the 3rd anniversary of Clay Aiken coming out on the cover of People Magazine. The following short article is the “tease” that was posted on People’s webpage.
Clay Aiken: I’m a Gay Dad
By David Caplan
Originally posted Wednesday September 24, 2008 07:00 AM EDT
Following the Aug. 8 birth of his son Parker, singer Clay Aiken is following through on a promise he made to himself as a new dad: to publicly acknowledge that he’s gay.
“It was the first decision I made as a father,” Aiken, 29, tells the upcoming issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.”
Aiken says he expects the news may overwhelm some of his fans. “Whether it be having a child out of wedlock, or whether it be simply being a homosexual, it’s going to be a lot,” said Aiken, who returned to Broadway last week as Sir Robin in Monty Python’s Spamalot.
He adds that he hopes his fans “know that I’ve never intended to lie to anybody at all. … But if they leave, I don’t want them to leave hating me.”
How He Came Out to His Family
The born-again Christian singer also reveals how he told his mother Faye he’s gay four years ago. After dropping off his younger brother Brett, who was being deployed to Iraq, at Camp Lejeune, “I started crying in the car,” Aiken remembers. “It was dark. I was sitting there, thinking to myself. I don’t know why I started thinking about it … I just started bawling. She made me pull over the car and it just came out.”So what was his mom’s reaction? “She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting.” Even now, Aiken admits, “She still struggles with things quite a bit, but she’s come a long way.”
As for his own child, Aiken tells PEOPLE that Parker – who was conceived via in vitro fertilization with his best friend, music producer Jaymes Foster – will be raised in an environment that is “accepting and allowing him to be happy.”
Says Aiken: “I have no idea if he’ll be gay or straight. It’s not something I’ll have anything to do with, or that he’ll have anything to do with. It’s already probably up inside the code there … No matter what the situation you’re in, if you’re raised in a loving environment, that’s the most important thing.”
For the first photos of Parker and more of Clay’s deeply candid interview about fatherhood, coming out, and his message for the Claymates, pick up the upcoming issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
I have posted scans of the magazine cover and article below. Please remember that if you click on the picture, it will enlarge the size. Perhaps that way you can read the article.
I believe Clay Aiken is a good man. He is an excellent role model for activism, volunteerism, inclusion and acceptance…add to that, an extraordinary talent. He is the same person he was when we heard him sing the very first… “Take.”
I loved that article. I've always thought that Clay made the right decision to come out and for the right reasons. He was ready and he did it for Parker. He truly is a good man.
I don't think Clay's a good man. I think he's a /great/ one and I'm happy that, by coming out, he could be comfortable in his own skin. I wish him and his family all the best for the future :-).
3 years?? I can't believe it has been that long.
Yes, Clay is a GOOD MAN or Great!!
I feel so sad for those who have missed the last 3 years because they can't understand.
Thank you for posting this today!!
Initially, I was not sure if Clay was gay. Sometimes I thought – probably, and other times – I don't think so. It was the very open and dramatic way it was announced that stunned me. No matter, as it did not change my opinion of him, one way or the other.
Yes, Clay is a very good and exceptional man. We all know that his mantra in life is to make this world a better place than when he entered it. He has already reached that goal and is still constantly working on doing more. Plus, there is that added extra bonus of him using his phenomenal singing talent to so deftly entertain all the world with. It's a win-win, no matter how you look at it.
Thanks for this blog. My comment here is the first I have ever expressed on this topic.
I do still have my issue of People mag. with Clay and Parker on the cover. Still love that guy and think he is a great person. I often think of Jaymes and wonder how her life is with Parker in and out of it. I keep them all in my prayers.
Thank you Musicfan for putting up this important story again. What a journey for Clay. It hasn't been easy, and I'm sure it still isn't. But I am thankful that Clay can live his life, without worry or regret. It is the only way. He is such a good man, great role model and a fantastic father. Clay came out, when the time was right for him, and that is the only time when people of a different orientation should. Not forced. I admire him so much.
I admire Clay more than I can say for waiting until the time was right for him to come out to the public. I am hoping for the day when no one will have to "come out" because, in reality, it makes no difference. I long for the day when being gay doesn't matter because, in reality, it doesn't. Clay is the same man, with the same talent, intelligence, humor and heart. An individual's sexual orientation is just a part of their whole being and it should not define them – any more than being straight should define someone, or the color of their skin, or their religion.
I could go on and on, but I will spare you all =) thanks for the article. I continue to be a fan of this incredible man until he kicks me to the curb 😉
I thought the article was excellent, but never understood why the photographer airbrushed the photos so much. It gave Clay such a soft look, almost like they had to convince us he was gay. He never looks that soft when fans are the photographers. He looks spectacular when the fans take the pictures! Thanks for the great article.
It is hard to believe it has been 3 years. I believed he was a great man back then and still continue to believe it. He cares about so many things-especially children. He has brought me so much joy and my admiration for him only grows as the years go by. Thanks for posting this article -what a wonderful journey we have had through Clay.
I will never forget the day when that magazine cover was leaked via the internet. I'm thankful that Clay openning up to us meant he no longer had to hide a part of who he was and he could be totally himself to the public.
I was surprised by the news but not upset. The airbrushing of his pictures upset me more than the truth. I love Clay for who he is, a gentle, kind heart and so talent. Wow, 3 years sure does fly by.
I still cannot believe it has been three years. Yes – Clay Aiken is a good man. He came out in his own way and in his own time – when HE was ready. The way it should be. Not the time frame that others demanded.
I do admire this man so much.