On Tuesday someone mentioned Clay Aiken in the comments on our story on how Adam Lambert had disrespected Susan Boyle. Reader Loca said “I think [Adam Lambert will] end up like Clay Aiken….someone nobody remembers or cares about.” I read that and was wondering what happened to Clay as we haven’t heard from him in a long time. Lo and behold there’s a story today about how Clay Aiken is set to speak at a gay rights event in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. I think the last time we heard from Aiken he was ripping on the show that made him famous, American Idol, and saying that Adam Lambert’s singing was so bad he thought his “ears would bleed.” Before that, Aiken made more headlines in September, 2008 with the news that he was coming out of the closet and had fathered a baby boy through artificial insemination. People had assumed for some time that Aiken was gay, but he wasn’t out to his family and it was a big deal to him to break the news.

Aiken was provided a speech to read from the Human Rights Campaign group, but he says it was “too political” and that he has written his own. He’s trying to stay positive and speak out for equal rights for everyone, particularly his son “if he’s gay.” I understand that he’s saying he’s trying to make the world a better place for the next generation and that it means more to him now that he’s a dad. He worded it poorly though, and that statement is sure to be misinterpreted.

Aiken will deliver a speech about gay rights this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas gala in Raleigh, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday. Actress Meredith Baxter, who recently said she is a lesbian, also will deliver a speech.

The 31-year-old Raleigh native, pop singer and 2003 “American Idol” runner-up said he wrote his own speech after remarks provided for him proved too political, including a slam aimed at former President George W. Bush.

“I don’t feel like this is the place to be horribly politically charged and bash people and talk about the wrongs that have been done,” he said. “My goal is to be hopeful, that it’s time for everyone to have equal rights.”

Aiken says his goal is to urge Americans to support equal rights for all. He says that means allowing homosexuals to marry and enjoy rights that heterosexual couples take for granted like inheritance and hospital visitation. Aiken said that goal may take decades.

“It’s more important to me, as a parent, that my son have all the rights – if he’s gay – than it is for me. I don’t want to do anything today that’s going to inhibit, or be a detriment to, his rights,” he said.

Aiken’s son, Parker, was conceived via in vitro fertilization and born in August 2008. Parker’s mother is music producer Jaymes Foster. Foster, who lives in California and Aiken, who lives in the Raleigh area, share custody.

Aiken said he would probably attend Saturday’s event with his bodyguard and without family members or friends. Some family members have handled news of Aiken’s homosexuality better than others, he said.

“Some Southern families like to sweep things under the rug,” he said. “We just don’t talk about it.”

[From Huffington Post]

That’s sad that he doesn’t feel completely accepted by his family. I remember seeing a special on Clay coming out. His brother, who was in the military and was just about to go back to Iraq for a second deployment, seemed ok with it and said “is that it?” He explained that his mom was more upset and was crying about it. If anything he’s probably having trouble being open with his mom. I bet she’s doting on her new grandson, though and that little Parker, one and a half, goes a long way into healing any kind of rift they might have.

Aiken seems kind of stuck up and defiant to me, but he’s certainly not as bad as Adam Lambert, to compare him to another Idol runner-up he seems to have a beef with. At least Aiken is getting press for important issues now, although he’s also done his share of bitching about the competition.