Clay Aiken Reveals He's Gay

"It was the first decision I made as a father," Clay Aiken says about coming out as a gay man in the new issue of People. "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."

Clay makes the revelation in the next edition of the magazine, which hits stands this Friday. He will be pictured with his newborn son, Parker, and talk about the importance of being truthful regarding his sexuality.

"Whether it be having a child out of wedlock, or whether it be simply being a homosexual, it's going to be a lot," he says regarding the reactions of his fans. Still, he says 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."

The singer also reveals that he told him mom about four years ago, after an emotional parting with his brother who was shipping off to Iraq.

"I started crying in the car," he says. "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."

His mom "started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting." Even now, Clay admits, "She still struggles with things quite a bit, but she's come a long way."

He is scheduled to appear in an already-taped interview about this headline-grabbing revelation with ABC News' Diane Sawyer, with promos beginning to run Wednesday morning, and the interview running on "Good Morning America" starting Thursday.

Clay, who has long deflected questions about his sexuality, recently welcomed his infant son with his longtime female friend Jaymes Foster. The baby was conceived via in-vitro fertilization and was born in August.

Published 9/23/08.

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Comments (33)

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  • I thought dat guy was a good singer but now he scares me like hes Michael Jackson. And dude what happened to your hair it looks like you Michael Jacksons white twin.If you were gay why didnt you just tell everyone in the first place so we all know...
    Anonymous 11/27/08 Reply
  • As long as Clay is happy, no big deal.
    Why we care wheather he isgay or straight, we love him b'coz of his talents and not of his sexuality.
    For the fans out there : If your idol did not getting married doesn't mean that he will married you, life...
    Anonymous 9/30/08 Reply
  • no big deal, cheer up Clay
    Anonymous 9/30/08 Reply
  • As long as Clay is happy, no big deal.
    Why we care wheather he isgay or straight, we love him b'coz of his talents and not of his sexuality.
    For the fans out there : If your idol did not getting married doesn't mean that he will married you, life...
    Anonymous 9/30/08 Reply
  • Gay and Born again Christian???? Please show
    me where in the Bible those two go together.
    Anonymous 9/27/08 Reply
  • Gay and Born again Christian???? Please show
    me where in the Bible those two go together.
    Anonymous 9/27/08 Reply
  • he is who he is and no one can change that an I support him 100%
    Anonymous 9/26/08 Reply
  • He shouldnt have put his personal life out there then. His life wouldnt be any different if he would have said nothing of this. The sad thing is this child going to be raised under extremely bizzare circumstances. Truly Tragic!!!
    Anonymous 9/25/08 Reply
  • He shouldnt have put his personal life out there then. What was the point? His life wouldnt be any different if he would not have "come out".I feel very sorry for this child, going to be raised in these most bizzare circumstances. Tragic!!
    Anonymous 9/25/08 Reply
  • I am real proud of he for coming out . I am also proud of others coming out too. I feel like our voices are about to be heard the real truth. The hate crimes must stop now.
    Anonymous 9/25/08 Reply
  • I would like say thia I am really proud that Clay Aiken and Lance Bass and Neil Patrick Harris , TR Knight , Chad Allen true honest about being gay . Frankly who cares what the straight world says about us . I wish the straight world would wake up...
    Anonymous 9/25/08 Reply
    • So the world should "wake up" and just embrace gays. Who have made a life style choice that is immorral, unhealthy and life threatening. Yeah,huh, thanks but no. You people gross me out. Clay Aiken is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
      Anonymous 9/27/08
  • What difference does it really make .he is a great Singer, and he does great things for autistic children . HE IS A GOOD PERSON!!! My grandsons still admire him. One is Autistic. Yet he understands what gay means.His answer that just means he will...
    Anonymous 9/25/08 Reply
  • its great that he's speaking out the truth.we shouldn't judge him.
    maximino21 9/24/08 Reply
  • wowww!! such a siprise.
    DuhSoJen 9/24/08 Reply
  • I still think he's hawt!!! And he'll be an amazing dad. Lucky Parker and Jaymes. You go Clay!
    Anonymous 9/24/08 Reply
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