Clay News!

I happen to believe he's straight but would I be shocked if the opposite turned out to be true? Not really, since a lot of what he says is straight out of the closeted man's handbook, you know, the whole "I don't have time to date" or "I just haven't found the right girl yet".

FWIW, I got my first computer and internet access a few months before the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and back then pretty much all my internet time was spent on Democratic-leaning/liberal/progressive message boards, all of which were definitely on the pro-Clinton "this is another phony scandal that never happened" side. After Clinton "confessed", I remember there was an initial outburst of anger over being lied to along with threats to leave the party, etc. by some posters but for the most part everyone pretty much accepted it. And even most of the angry people got over it. Naturally, on more conservative boards, there was a lot of "I told you so's" going on.

I think that's what would happen if Clay came out. There would be anger from some fans, some ha-ha-ing from the Perez Hiltons and Openly Clays of the world, but I think most fans would accept it. Of course, there'd be pandemonium on the boards.

Having said all that, I still don't believe John Paulus. I don't think Clay is a virgin, but I also don't see him as someone who's into quick hook-ups no matter what his preference is.

OMG Badger! I could have written your post!!

I actually do believe he is straight! Though I am in the minority in the country I am sure. I do think he has some "feminine" ways, and I can see where people who don't follow him closely would believe him to be gay. Someone who watches SOOOO much clack, as I do, see the "bit naughty, flirty, can't take his eyes off Angela's boobs" side.

That said, like you, if he "came out" it just would not be a big deal with me at all. Sadly, yes - pandemonium on boards for sure. I do think the "overly religious" fans would be a goner too. Though sadly I don't think they would see any hypocrisy in that I think all the "normal" fans would stick around and be supportive.

I say he might be confused/in denial/ etc based strictly on some comments he makes - like you pointed out, or I only date my dog, I put it out of my head, I've never had a romantic relationship and all that stuff which only adds fuel to the tabloid fire.

Personally, I am DYING for him to find the right person and be happy and loved! He will be 30 and it would be so nice for him to have that special person to share all this with. Also, he so desperately wants to be a dad

I think John Paulus is a wacko/sicko and I also do not believe Clay is a virgin

I also think that if you were able to do a completely scientific poll - one that could not be compromised either by haters or OTT Claymates - where the only option to the question "Do you think Clay Aiken is gay" would be yes or nor (I'm assuming the overwhelming answer might be "Who cares?") the yes option would win a majority - maybe not a blowout majority but a majority.

Going by my experience during the Lewinsky saga, the pandemonium on the boards thing is a given. And, like I said, back then, there were some people who were really angry about it and threatened to leave the Democratic party (you couldn't say "I'll never vote for him again" since it was unlikely he'd ever run for office") but in the end even most of those people came back. I think the same thing would happen with Clay. Most of the angry fans would return. FTR, the vast majority of posts during the "pandemonium period" - basically after Clinton admitted it - was decidedly pro-Bill. Again, I think the same thing would happen with Clay. Most of the boards would be sympathetic to Clay but there would definitely be some anger on the part of some fans/supporters.

Clay and his fans need to stop worrying about this whole gay/straight thing. It doesn't matter a hill of beans. But once he starts giving off a more confident vibe about it, the tide will turn. His continual denial to discuss it makes it worse IMO.

People believe what they want to no matter what someone says. I know that from being in Constantine's fandom.

I assume Clay is gay. But I can't see much of a benefit to him coming out about it until he is in a committed relationship with a guy and they want to adopt children.

If he marries a woman, I would be a tad surprised, and would still think he is gay, but it wouldn't bother me.

Travolta is plagued by rumors because he behaves liike a screaming lisping queen in person, like at a party with his wife. SO Travolta in real life acts and sounds completely differently than he does when in public mode. I was his server at a big Hollywood party. His wife was right next to him. It was a bizarre thing, and he wasn't putting on "gay" to amuse anybody. I don't quite get it, but he was that way all night, talking to anybody I overheard him talking to.

I do know, personally, a few couples where the gay man and the straight woman got married to have kids, and they really like each other, and like parenting together. The woman is not a beard. But they do have an agreement that going outside for sex, SAFE sex, is OK.

I guess that due to my history as an actor, spending years in the theater, living in Hollywood, and now working at AIDS Project L.A>, I am both more familiar with and more comfortable around non-traditional unions of all sorts.

I have known several guys who had a wife and kids and were normal Dad types who got divorced in their 40s and then became exclusively gay. In the 80s when so many theatre guys were dying of AIDS, there were many memorials. Often the wife and kids, and the current boyfriend, were united as a family in their grief.

Because it if much more acceptable now to be gay, there probably will be fewer of those guys, but there is also the deal of a gay guy who still has a slightly bisexual sparkle for women, kinda flirts with a woman, but is kinda terrified she will think he is straight. I have run into that many times, and am never sure whether to let him know I think he is gay, so as to reassure him, or what. SO I say nothing and watch a guy who could be a pal, kind of fuck up the possibility of friendship all on his own. But I fear insulting them by letting them know I think they are gay.

Suddenly my life seems very uncomplicated

Weird about Travolta. I remember when he was so in love and dedicated to that older actress who died in his arms. He was devastated for such a long time. Then he dated Lily Tomlin, and he is the only man I ever saw her with. Strange.

Such a shame these people can't just be openly gay and not fear any discrimination or repercussions.

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I think John Paulus is a wacko/sicko and I also do not believe Clay is a virgin

OK, I will get off the fence on this one. John Paulus lied about Clay to get the spotlight. Even the details of the story were internally illogical and didn't make any sense.

Lily Tomlin is openly, though quite private, gay herself, and always was. I think Travolta has lots of women friends.

The john Paulus guy is a creep from hell, and I never actually believed his particular story, though I did believe Clay was capable of trolling gay internet sites late at night.

That was Diana Hyland who he dated. She played his mother in "The Boy In The Plastic Bubble" and was the original mom on "Eight Is Enough". She also starred in one of my favorite "Twilight Zone" episodes.

Did Travolta really date Lily Tomlin? I know they made that deliciously awful "Moment to Moment" but I never heard about them dating. I know she's been in a long-term relationship with Jane Wagner although I don't know when it started. I do remember Gene Siskel referring to Jane as Lily's "long-time professional and life partner" back in the 1980's when he was reviewing the movie of her one-woman show.

All I know is there were rumors they were an item, especially in the tabloids. Of course all these years later I have come to understand what a bunch of crap all those rags are. Also now we know a lot of those "romance on the set" stories are for PR purposes to hype a movie. So who knows what went on between them.

I was pretty sure Lily was gay for a long time, but never heard any confirmation of it. Sort of like Jodie Foster.

Somehow I do not see Clay trolling gay sites Just doesn't seem like him.

I wonder if those stories about Lily and John were written to try to push a movie that was going to tank if it didn't have something sparkling around it. I didn't see it, I think it left the movie theaters very quickly.

I had assumed Clay was gay until I had a very in depth conversation one day with a Clay fan who also knew some people in Clay's family. She pointed out to me many things that were being written and shown in the press and how they could be miscontrused. As we talked, I changed my mind about his sexual orientation. I now feel he is straight. I didn't change the way I thought of him though, I still admire his performance skills, his singing, and his work with UNICEF.

No one really knows the true story though except Clay himself. And if it turns out his orientation is gay, it still won't change my thoughts on his fabulous skills.

But what did touch me very sadly was an article I read about Clay in TV Guide. I think it was 3 summers ago. The loneliness he was experiencing was trecherous to read about. I felt horrible for him. He said words to the effect that he hoped someday he could write a song about being in love because maybe someday he would actually have that happen....that got to me big time. Sweet guy. I hope he's found a way to bridge that loneliness though.

Here are some scans from the Spamalot Playbill that I got when I saw Clay do Spamalot.

I hope there are no problems with these loading on the pages. If so, let me know.

Here's the last two:



And then this one with what I think is a very nice photo of Clay:

Thank you so much Lau!!! What a great keepsake!

Now, I would LOVE to know what all was said to you that changed your mind about Clay being gay!!!!!!!!!!!! PM would work

I very much remember that TV Guide interview I think he was also dealing with the panic attacks starting at that time too.

Plus, at that time he was living in this gigantic house pretty far out of the city with no near neighbors, no community to hang out with, so he only saw people directly in his business who came out there.

In possibly, vaguely related news...

Tucker Carlson's show has been canceled.



Behold the karmic kiss of death? I hear twilight zone music...

YAY! No more Fucker! I mean Tucker!!!!!!!!!

I know nothing about a Tucker/Clay connection. Tell, please.

Tucker has made some "cabana boy" comments about Clay in the past and most recently made a big deal out of Clay only attending one of the Bush committee meetings (Clay is busy and who blames him if he doesn't want to sit in a meeting with Bush) Also made some comments about Claymates last week. Hey, I bet it was letters to the network about him form angry Claymates that cost him his show!

The flap Tucker rose about Clay not attending those meetings only happened this week, and Clay Nation had a cow. I don't really think one had anything to do with the other, but man, freaky coincidence, huh?

Clay has said the panic attacks started right after his father (Ray Parker) died, but I can't imagine his post-Idol life not having some bearing on them too.

None of Tucker's shows have ever had good ratings, but he keeps getting hired for some reason and then fired because of the ratings. I'm guessing that's what happened here.

Tucker's show was never high on my list, even when I couldn't sleep. Maybe a combo of complaints, low ratings, etc. cancelled it.

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Now, I would LOVE to know what all was said to you that changed your mind about Clay being gay!!!!!!!!!!!! PM would work

In a nutshell, there was so much to the conversation, it would take a long time to transcribe! I met this woman in Juniors's the weekend Clay opened in Spamalot. I had been right across the street seeing Xanadu (which was an unexpected wonderful surprise as a show) and stopped in to warm up. She and I spoke a long time. She was a devoted Clay fan but very willing to listen to my point of view and then give hers.

I think what really made me change my mind was realizing that the press and even internet to a degree can paint someone the way they want to. I had a friend with me who also left there with the same conclusion even before we discussed what we heard.

I felt so sad hearing about Clay having anxiety and panic attacks. I had no idea he was going through that. I think being in NYC will be great for him. Maybe he will take an apartment there and use it as a second home as I know North Carolina is his main stay.

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I think what really made me change my mind was realizing that the press and even internet to a degree can paint someone the way they want to.

Oh, that's certainly the case. My reasons for suspecting that Clay may indeed be gay lie mostly in noticing his isolation - theorizing that the closet might be an explanation for that. There are other possible explanations as well.

Terrific news about that large $$ amount in grants. Nice to see the art programs being funded as well as the sport ones.