Clay Aiken on Being a Gay Teen in the South

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/07/22/Clay_Aiken_on_Being_A_Gay_Teenager_in_The_South/


Pop star Clay Aiken defends the southeastern U.S., saying homophobia is more a national problem than a regional one, while discussing difficulties faced by Southern LGBT teens.

Aiken, who resides part-time in North Carolina, answered questions posed to him during a conference call to promote his appearance on the Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva. Aiken guest-stars in an episode inspired by Constance McMillen, a Mississippi teenager who sued her high school for refusing to allow her to attend her prom with her girlfriend.

Asked if it's tough to be a gay teenager in the South, Aiken responds, "You can argue that there are areas in the country where it might be a little bit easier, but I think that it is a national issue. It’s not necessarily just a Southern thing."

"I get slightly defensive because I know that there are lots of challenges in the Southeast that still need to be met, but I do see a lot of progress," Aiken says. "And it is kids like Constance, shows like Drop Dead Diva that — and plenty of other shows and plenty of other individuals who have stood up."