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Photo: AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file
American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert had some unwelcome visitors at a concert on Sunday in California. The American Idol concert series was playing in San Jose at the HP Pavilion when members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church made an appearance outside the venue.
The church has long been notorious for its protesters who hold inflammatory signs and chant potentially hurtful words. Presumably the anti-gay church was protesting Lambert, who revealed that he was gay in the June 2009 issue of Rolling Stone.
Young people who come out (celebrity or not) often face tremendous adversity, and a fellow AI cast member was ready at Lambert's defense, saying "We are together in this thing. You mess with one you mess with all ten... For those outside protesting I say do not judge less ye be judged yourself."
Lambert was reportedly unfazed by the protesters.
Comments
Oh,come on. All that anti anybody hate propaganda is a little old fashioned, isn't it?
What can one say? It is becoming more embarrasing everyday to be a Heterosexual.
What disgusting people we can be toward Gay & Lesbian Americans.
True dat, Joe!
I'm very dissapointed that so many articles are being written about 5 losers who have an issue with Adam Lambert's sexuality. Thousands and thousands of people who attended the American Idol concerts are going bonkers for Adam more then anybody else on the tour, even more then the winner. Every single critic so far is praising Adam for being legendary and electrifying. Women are even throwing their bras and panties at him on stage. So please, give him some credit and stop talking about 5 lost people and instead focus on his God given gift.
@Nadine: I appreciate your comment, Nadine. I do cover celebrity news, however, and this is a news story. As my bio states, I like to cover celebrity news that paints celebrities in a positive light, and I think Adam's perseverance despite this type of adversity is notable. I also think it's important for people to know what young gay people go through even when they are celebrities. The fact is that Adam will have to deal with this kind of thing no matter how talented he is, and it's important to expose the bigotry that is so pervasive in our society.
Thank you for clearing that up. I can't recall in music history an openly gay man be so particularly successful among women. Times have changed, that's good news. Sure, bigotry will always exist, but the support he's receiving among so many is important to note as well.
As always Adam is gracious and moves forward. That is why he has found a place in Americas heart - Oh and the fact that he is SUPER TALENTED!! Adam we love you.
people cant use their religion as an excuse to discriminate others from LOVING each other! its okay adam just keep on walking and be the amazing artist that you are!! we all love ya :)
The bigger story here is that it was Michael Sarver, a Christian from a small town in Texas with one of the highest rates of gay-bashings, to say all those positive and supportive things about Adam.
It's great that Michael Sarver spoke up for Adam, but he doesn't get a "cookie" for it just because he may be from a homophobic small town. People need to speak out about homophobia because it's the right thing to do. Good for him that he's rising above his background, but Adam still has to deal with way worse than Michael will for having spoken out.
Nadine- he is doing well with women because he is a good looking, stylish, intelligent and sexy man. It has nothing to do with him being gay. He is a good looking Rock Star- and that is sexy on a guy, plain and simple. I think a lot of men find Portia di Rossi attractive too. I doubt they are telling themselves not to be attracted to her because she is gay. You can't help your hormones.
I admire Adam and know this did not faze him. However, I think it is important to note that Michael Sarver seems to have had either a change of heart or is media hungry. He has already been outed along with Danny Gokey for their own homophobic comments backstage on the TV show. So, let's not praise Mr. Sarver too much here. He may be seeking publicity by making the comments he did at the event. Just saying!
It unreal how stories get picked up and spread all over the internet when in reality they're only partly true, and the false parts spread all over too.
True: a handful of members of the Westboro Baptist Church were protesting outside the San Jose venue. But none of their signs mentioned Adam. (If they had they'd have been attacked by a large crowd of angry Glamberts!) They were protesting the use of the "Idol" - plus all other sins. People who know say these people protest outside every event, not just this one. They even protested at the Disney on Ice show.
Mike Sarver HEARD there were protestors outside and just ASSUMED they must be protesting against Adam (his bias) - so got all protective and started to Tweet about it. THAT was how all the erroneous "news" got started, then spread. It was totally Sarver making a homophobic issue out of a non-issue.
Find somethng REAL to write about - or change professions!
Adam, you are so awsome. I sincerely hope some day to be able to meet you in person and tell you that to your awsome, gorgeous face.
@Tagrid-- Thanks for the info, though the fact remains that this is a story covered by many news outlets and it is a "real story." I still think it's important to expose homophobia and bigotry to show what young people like Adam go through, as I said below. If you have different information regarding the protests that you can link to, please provide me the link and I'll amend my story.
Adam is the best, anyone who bashes him sucks. You are all stupid
These protesters were NOT from the Westboro Baptist Church and they were NOT targeting Adam specifically.
I cannot believe how a handful of random twitters has, in a week's time, morphed into a full blown "story"
The group protesting outside of the arena were a small group of homegrown wackos who protest every act and event staged at the arena.
I know this because I was live-blogging the concert. A handful of early reports called the protest "homophobic" but by the end of the night, it became clear it wasn't much of a protest.
Michael Sarver's reaction was based on messages he was receiving via twitter. He did NOT see the protest himself.
@MJ: As I said below, you're welcome to submit a link to an article stating the information you've posted here, and I'll amend my story. You can also email me with your full name and a quote I can use about what you saw that day. Until I read or hear of an alternate news story that states the same information you have, I'll consider the sources I have to be correct.
Everyone who states it wasn't about Adam needs to go to the WBC's site and find their little protest flyer. It's very blatantly about Adam.
It's people like this that give Christians a bad name.
The whole way Adam has been treated concerning his sexuality really makes me sad. What are young boys who maybe felt some kind of ray of hope about acceptance in society feeling when they see and hear things about picketers or read some of the hate posts attached to articles written about Adam. I know in Adam's fan forum there is one teenage boy who is having a very difficult time with his sexuality and on twitter has expressed some very dark thoughts he says he feels it's hopeless. All the other AI singers just get to sing and be judged on their singing. Adam gets picketers. MJ maybe you are correct in that this one wasn't related to Adam or maybe not. However, that church is publicly publishing some very cruel anti-gay, anti semetic literature and directing it to Adam and planning protests. Other twitters in San Jose who were there did say that they were singling out Adam.
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