[dandelion]

I haven't ever seen the show, but I'll tell you he's not gay, and I'll tell you why - because the Advocate HATES him.

The Advocate's description of Clay is filled with bile, not admiration; if they weren't gay themselves, they could be accused of hate speech:

"Here's a performer, we thought, who can’t open his mouth without littering the Idol stage with hairpins. The fluttering eyelids; the high-pitched chuckle; the angry-diva faces pulled whenever Simon Cowell criticized him; the hammy, Sam Harris-meets-Mandy Patinkin show-tune vocalizing - just about everything Clay does reads as gay."

The stereotypical gay-bashing imagery is particularly pointed; no cliche is left unwritten. Had those at the Advocate thought Clay was truly gay, they would have written an article that was "sensitive", or at least flattering. Instead, they did their usual hate-filled "outing" hatchet job the Advocate reserves for men that they wish to destroy. Clay's professed Christianity may be the reason.

The Advocate does not Advocate for all gays, after all, but only for liberal gays who vote and speak as the Advocate and gay establishment tells them. A quiet, unsure, or conservative gay will be torn apart first not by his fans, his family, or his constituency, but by the "Advocate" themselves.

Espouse another view on "gay marriage" while professing to be gay? The Advocate will vilify you to the community. Speak out against pedophiles in the community? The Advocate will smear you as one. Struggle with your own homosexual feelings or experiences in private? The Advocate will post your name for your friends, family, fans, or followers to read on every street corner. The message to gays is loud and clear: do as the "Gay Establishment" tells you, or you will be publicly outed in a way that even the most vehement religious fundamentalist would condemn.

If you are a Christian who struggles with homosexuality, the message is especially blunt; out yourself, and give in, or we will tear you apart in public.

The Advocate advocates nothing but their own political agenda, and those who do not bow to it - gay or heterosexual - will be destroyed.

Whether or not "Clay is gay", one thing is for certain - the Advocate hates him, and hate is not a family value, is it, boys?

[ewing]

Excellently said, and dead on correct.

[RMDupree]

A well-written post.

The Advocate's venom speaks for itself.

[Under the Radar]

Very good post.

[RockandRollResurrection]

>Espouse another view on "gay >marriage" while professing to be >gay? The Advocate will vilify you >to the community.

As if any self respecting gay person would speak out against "gay marriage". Yes I heard about the "Gays for State Rights" or whatever BS name they were given. Mormons in drag if you ask me.

[lsee]

Thank you, Dandelion, for your thoughtful post. I admire Clay a great deal and agree with your assessment of his probably heterosexuality and the reasons behind the Advocate's attack. Many of his fans believe Clay didn't answer the question because it was rude, inappropriate, and undeserving of an answer. He was very dignified about it, putting on his "teacher demeanor" to put the man in his place. Obviously, the writer didn't enjoy being snubbed, but it served him right.

I dated a few guys like Clay in high school and none of them were gay, just not macho. Band geeks, every one! LOL!