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Margaret Cho: Adam Lambert is confronting a homophobic rock world
"American Idol" first runner-up Adam Lambert seems to be surprised that he's running up against some resistance as an openly gay man in the world of rock music, but comic Margaret Cho? Not so much."It's very weird, isn't it, how rock and roll is very homophobic in a lot of ways," Cho, who stars in the Lifetime dramedy "Drop Dead Diva," tells Zap2it. "Women are given a lot of freedom to define their sexuality. I mean, Lady Gaga is able to pretty much do anything she wants. And Madonna, before her, was free to play around with gender roles.
"I don't think the same flexibility exists for men, even though some of the greatest rock stars have been pretty androgynous, like Freddie Mercury or David Bowie -- although Mercury wasn't really out and Bowie was straight. There's definitely a double standard, and it's true for a lot of gay men in rock and roll."
And those stars adopt different career survival strategies, says Cho, like Morrissey, who professes to be celibate yet is presumed to be gay, and Elton John and Ricky Martin, who came out late in their professional careers.
"Rock and roll is super-progressive in a lot of ways, but in other ways, it's not," Cho says.
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Why do you say that Adam seems surprised but the resistance? No proof of that. He knows America is a hotbed of hate and intolerance. He is a brave talented soul....and his talent is soooo great that he will out live the hate. But to suggest that he is surprised by this battle is absurd and doesn't give Adam much credit.
Since Adam's concerts are selling out fast-some already sold out and a 2nd added plus additional venues-there are more people interested in his singing and showmanship and are more interested in their own love lives than his. Yea for open minds and warm hearts. We're walking in the direction of love instead of away from it.
Pretty much all women and all educated men do not care. Sohpisticated media types do not care. International fans do not care. That leaves a few scared cyber bullies with web sites, and they are only in North America. Everyone ignores them.
Yeah! Kelly.
Yeah Kelly, if I had a voting button, I would vote for your comment. And yeah Sarta for saying Yeah Kelly.
And seriously speaking, Margaret is stating a good point which Adam tried to do in last few month, and I am glad people are picking this up and with help of media and intelligent reporters like Margaret we can make it happen.
Obviously in the US there's a double standard in terms of what a straight woman can get away with compared to what a gay man can do. There will always be people in America who will refuse to accept a gay male pop star but I think they will become less in number over time.
Adam is paving the way for other performers to come out. He is proud of who he is as well he should be. I think it is time for someone like him in the music world. He is getting lots of love all over the world.
The educated American public do not care about sexual orientation. They attend a concert to be entertained. Unfortunately our society has their share of rednecks, ignorant and uneducated people who think homosexuality could be caught. If that were the case, Catholics would be only pedophiles and gay men. Grow up people.
Whooo-hooo Kelly, you said it!!! Perfectly stated!! Not responding to the ugliness is the best way to keep it from coming back. Let the haters, and the negative naysayers live their miserable lives. They thrive on the attention. We know what is obvious. Adam Lambert has an amazing voice and tremendous talent. We love his confidence and energy. Watching him perform live is breathtaking. We're seeing him do two shows this summer, can't wait. Rock on Adam baby!
I'm sure Adam could sell even more if he were to neuter himself and stop being so damned fine & sexy.
Hope he never does.
P.S. Abby, I'd love to shove your face in something.