Enough Chances

Former American Idol alum and former recording star Gay Aiken, I mean Clay Gayken, dammit, Clay Aiken, who grudgingly came out in 2008 after years of speculation and denials, will finally use his :::somewhat limited::: celebrity to speak for gay rights in his home state of North Carolina this weekend.

Aiken will deliver a speech at the Human Rights Campaign gala in Raleigh, though some aspects of the appearance proved too controversial for him. Apparently, according to Clay, he rewrote his speech after he decided that the remarks provided to him were too controversial, too political, including a slam aimed at former President George W. Bush.

But Clay, these days, when we are seeing our rights trampled on, when we see people voting on whether or not we should be allowed the same benefits this country has to offer every other, straight, citizen, being gay, and talking about it is a political issue.

And don't forget, honey, you are speaking at a Human Rights Campaign rally.

Rights.

They are political.

Too be fair, I was one of those people, those many, many, many, people who knew you were a big old queen the moment you strolled onto the Idol stage in your size, what are they, fourteen shoes. But, as I believe, gay people, while they do need to come out, must be able to do so at their own pace. You cannot force a stuck closet door open. So, I said, "Give him a chance."

Then the Internet sex stories started and I said, "Give him a chance."

Then came news that you were having a baby with a woman through artificial insemination, and that, primarily, you would be raising the child alone, and I said, "Give him a chance."

And you came out. And we all breathed a huge sigh of relief. Well, actually, we all giggled some and thought, "What took you so long."

But now, you have the chance to speak about human rights and you don't want to get too political? Enough chances. You are behind the times, my friend; you can't go through life as Uncle Arthur or the center square on Hollywood Squares and hope people don't think of you that way.

You're here. You're queer, dear. We're used to it.

Now, if you're gonna speak, then speak the fuck up.