[Big Smoke]

Originally posted by MP2K

I know a lot of straight dudes who don't know he's gay or know what he looks like just jam to his music and don't care. It's working.

Frank and Miguel their power tbh,

[M A R C]

Originally posted by Superpower

Ashamed? I don't think so
Is Capitol telling him to "tone down" his gayness? Probably

.

[WoozyFloozy]

Originally posted by Cap10Planet

And the fact that he has to say "BOY, I yearn for your love" as a lyric in a song to prove that he is "proud of his sexuality" is "telling." And no, I'm not logging out because I point out a frivolous point of view.

What exactly is it telling of? That at least one instance of representation or acknowledgement from an openly gay artist would be nice? That it would be nice for him to show you can be equal without hiding all signs of your sexuality? Do tell!

[RudeBoyy]

Originally posted by WoozyFloozy

Never said he had to, it's just lazy and a cowardly attempt to still get money from a homophobic audience.


Is there a gay equivalent to an Uncle Tom? Can it be a Sister Sam from now on?

Omg you took the words out my mouth. Im kii'ing at Sister Sam. Lets turn this into atrl lingo girl.

Originally posted by Cap10Planet

And then he will be finally accepted by you. Yay!

And the fact that he has to say "BOY, I yearn for your love" as a lyric in a song to prove that he is "proud of his sexuality" is "telling." And no, I'm not logging out because I point out a frivolous point of view.

Why are you acting like acknowledging the gender of your lover is rare? In his cover he specifically changed the lyrics and went out of his way not to seem gay. Its not even his song Yall are making it like were saying to do something crazy.

[Inverted]

I don't blame him and don't expect nor want him to be some gay spokesmodel, but we should call a spade a spade; there's definitely some self-hate and self-consciousness involved. I used to blame it on industry pressure to maintain a heteronormative image in order to appeal to everyone, but his quotes are awkward to read and it's obvious he seeks approval:

I would say just be yourself. Just be yourself. And don't make it an issue, do you know what I mean? If others around you are making it an issue, I understand, fight for your rights of course. But also let's make it a normality. To make it equal we need to kind of act equal, if you get what I mean.

Homosexuality is not "normal" anywhere, but it's become more of a normality because people made an issue of it and continue to do so. Gay rights exist because of those people. He's saying that we need to "act equal," but then sings songs that are gender neutral in order to make non-gay people feel more comfortable and enjoy them. How is that "acting equal"? That's just reinforcing the reality that we're not.

And the angry responses in this thread are very strange. No, most people have absolutely no idea he's gay as casual music fans don't google artists to find out what their sexual orientation is unless they explicitly know celebs might be gay. And no, admitting that he's gay in interviews doesn't contradict that the OP's point about shame. He admits it and is openly gay with his friends and family, but he makes sure to keep it in check for his public image because he's not comfortable exposing it. That's his prerogative, but we know the reason why he changed those lyrics in that How Will I Know cover.

[Kworb]

He's not ashamed, he's just careful. My fave quietly snuck it into one of his songs and it still made headlines: http://atrl.net/forums/showthread.php?t=712697

They don't want to be obvious about it and lose half of their audience. What good are they to the "cause" if they flop and are never heard from again? I'm sure Sam is also thinking baby steps. The SWM and LYL videos were already a big deal.

[Cap10Planet]

Originally posted by WoozyFloozy

What exactly is it telling of? That at least one instance of representation or acknowledgement from an openly gay artist would be nice? That it would be nice for him to show you can be equal without hiding all signs of your sexuality? Do tell!

He has to be like a mini-spokesperson to be considered a "real gay" or to be proud of his sexuality? Not the fact that he stated that he likes dick. It's one thing to argue that he is being a label puppet, but to argue that he isn't proud of his sexuality after coming out and even saying that his album was written for boy is a bit one-sided. He can still be a proud gay without being "out there" or stating "him," "he" and "man."

And maybe you should be routing your disappointment towards Capitol and not Sam himself. He is still a product of the industry and a major label and the "whitewashing" of his sexuality in his music and image seems to be more of a label thing. He's just on his first album. When he's more established and actually proves that his success isn't a fluke, he could very go on to be more opened about his sexuality.

[Jay Fenty]

That Sister Sam comment

[RatedG²]

Oh is this why everyone on this site likes him?

and idk its not ashamed, he just doesn't want to alienate any straights

[RudeBoyy]

Originally posted by Cap10Planet

He has to be like a mini-spokesperson to be considered a "real gay" or to be proud of his sexuality? Not the fact that he stated that he likes dick. It's one thing to argue that he is being a label puppet, but to argue that he isn't proud of his sexuality after coming out and even saying that his album was written for boy is a bit one-sided. He can still be a proud gay without being "out there" or stating "him," "he" and "man."

And maybe you should be routing your disappointment towards Capitol and not Sam himself. He is still a product of the industry and a major label and the "whitewashing" of his sexuality in his music and image seems to be more of a label thing. He's just on his first album. When he's more established and actually proves that his success isn't a fluke, he could very go on to be more opened about his sexuality.

The quotes in the OP seem to say that he doesn't plan on changing up his formula. Also the opposite of being ashamed is proud, and proud people don't go out of their way to hide things. End of. I don't understand why this has you so upset.

He can still be a proud gay without being "out there" or stating "him," "he" and "man."

No, he can not.

Example: Straight people are confident and proud of their sexuality. When singing a song about a member of the opposite sex they do not flub pronouns. When writing a song about the opposite sex they will not go out of their way to make sure the gender of their lover isn't revealed

Sam is the exact opposite. So, being the exact opposite of proud is ashamed. Not a hard though process.

[gloamingtheplain]

Originally posted by RudeBoyy

The quotes in the OP seem to say that he doesn't plan on changing up his formula. Also the opposite of being ashamed is proud, and proud people don't go out of their way to hide things. End of. I don't understand why this has you so upset.



No, he can not.

Example: Straight people are confident and proud of their sexuality. When singing a song about a member of the opposite sex they do not flub pronouns. When writing a song about the opposite sex they will not go out of their way to make sure the gender of their lover isn't revealed

Sam is the exact opposite. So, being the exact opposite of proud is ashamed. Not a hard though process.

The flawed logic that you have to be an opposite.

[NEZ]

i didn't know he was gay.

[RudeBoyy]

Originally posted by gloamingtheplain

The flawed logic that you have to be an opposite.

What is the flaw?

[BadBitches]

The reach

[gloamingtheplain]

Originally posted by RudeBoyy

Um, women should relate to love songs relating about men pretty well so that makes no sense. His newest videos has a straight couple, but which one had a gay couple? He literally would rather tell straight love stories then his own. Seems like shame to me.



I said absolutely none of that. No where did I say he has to be feminine, or "bring the whole package". EVERY SINGLE STRAIGHT ARTIST PROUDLY PROCLAIMS THEIR LOVE FOR THE OPPOSITE GENDER. Yet Sam is silent because he "doesn't want to be defined" and "is breaking stereotypes".

You guys keep insisting "not everything has to be about him being gay". But on his album, and in his music video NOTHING is about him being gay. He is not doing what his straight counterparts are doing is my point, they SHOUT OUT who he is and he whispers it in the shadows. It's not my fault people are homophobic, but he should be able to sing about men without them gettign angry.

Are you purposely being ignorant or?

He IS singing about men. All his songs on his album are about a man. He SAID the album was inspired by his love for a straight man.

So you are saying his music isn't him singing about men, but he is
I mean Adele doesn't say "he" or "him" either. Doesn't mean she's afraid of being straight.

She just writes music so anyone from any gender can sing to any gender. Sam is doing the same.
But Sam's writing is based on his love for a man.

Also, just because he's Gay doesn't mean he has to have a Gay couple in his video. That's where the stereotype for Gays come in, that Gay's can only have Gay things.

[rl231]

He's not. If you watch this video, he talks about his sexuality and how it's not really a huge deal for him at all. I agree with him, in the sense that your sexuality shouldn't define how you are, but you define how you are

[Archetype]

No, absolutely not. He's a smart businessman, unlike Adam Lambert. He is honest with his sexuality, but does not allow people to focus on it. He is all about the music, not the image. Personally, I apprevkate when any artist is gender neutral in songs so absolutely everyone can relate and sing along.

[DevonDreams]

when he said he didn't want to be a gay icon or be apart of lgbt I thought yes.

[gloamingtheplain]

Originally posted by RudeBoyy

What is the flaw?

"
Example: Straight people are confident and proud of their sexuality. When singing a song about a member of the opposite sex they do not flub pronouns. When writing a song about the opposite sex they will not go out of their way to make sure the gender of their lover isn't revealed

Sam is the exact opposite. So, being the exact opposite of proud is ashamed. Not a hard though process.
"
How is he not proud of his sexuality when he's said that the album was written about a Man?

Also, do you even understand how Sam writes? He writes as if he's directly talking to his love. So why would he need to say Him or He when he says You as if he's talking directly to the person.

You seem to be under he impression that if you are Gay and you don't constantly remind people you are Gay, that you are ashamed.

Straight people very rarely sing directly to the opposite sex. You only hear that in Pop music mostly. Not in soul.

[Cap10Planet]

No one is "upset." I just don't agree with your point of view. You seem mad because some people aren't on the same page as you. (when you have just as many people on your page?).

"End of"? Why make the thread and pose a question if it's already an open and shut case? And I'm the one who's upset.

He's not ashamed since he's acknowledged his sexuality on many occasions and he doesn't have to be a spokesperson for a group. He can express himself the way he sees fit. That is my opinion and it won't be changing.