Clay Aiken has recently come out saying he’s always been "out" and was never in the closet. He’s receiving criticism for that statement due to accusations he has denied being gay in the past before his 2008 coming out to People Magazine.  In an interview with the Georgia Voice, he mentions that he was out to colleagues in Spamalot and that everyone who knew him closely were aware of his sexual orientation.

It’s more the topic of celebrities coming out that interests me more than Mr. Aiken. Do gay celebrities have a responsibility to come out? I would like to think so, but of course they don’t. Shame on us for assuming everyone is straight in the first place.

Although, gay celebs shouldn’t be surprised they are considered in the closet until they publically confess. Being out is being “out”, bar none, not picking and choosing who you are out to, because that means you are partly “in”.

If LGBT celebs are keeping their sexual orientation a secret, that’s their business. Unless confirmed, the way Hollywood works is that all celebs get a free heterosexual pass, unless they fuel suspicion; holding some secret that won’t let the public rest until fans can fantasize accordingly.

Same goes for Ricky Martin and New Kids On The Block singer Jonathan Knight who only officially came out later in their careers. Let’s remember, it’s not screaming little boys that were buying their CDs, so I guess I don’t blame them or Aiken for their vagueness about it. Kudos to them for finally being able to be themselves.