The above color coded map represents a snapshot of the state of acceptance of homosexuality as it is right now world wide. I discovered this while researching how much Clay Aiken’s coming out will affect his future UNICEF missions and later came to expand that thought to how it will affect the chances of both his and Adam’s International fans ever seeing them in concert in their respective countries.
As you can see there are countries, marked in brown, where being gay is punishable by death. Red countries can impose life in prison and orange countries have harsh penalties that vary. These countries are dangerous places for gay persons and if you are a fan of either Clay or Adam, and you live in any of these countries, don’t count on them touring in your area.
Clay Aiken went as a UNICEF ambassador to 3 of the countries that carry the death penalty for homosexuals, Uganda, Somalia and Afghanistan. He also spent time as a UNICEF ambassador in Kenya, Malaysia and Singapore where life in prison is the penalty for being gay.
Coming out has changed his life more than most people realize, it doesn’t just affect him personally but his ability to work for UNICEF in the future has been compromised. What a sad situation. How many of the people who so harshly criticized him for not coming out realized that one of the reasons for keeping his sexuality private was not only for his safety when traveling but because UNICEF is very important to him and it will restrict his ability to be effective in some areas of the world.
Kudos to Canada, Spain, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, the states of Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Iowa and the latest place to pass marriage equality laws, as of December 21, 2009, Mexico City.
- In New Hampshire, same-sex marriages will begin on January 1, 2010.
- In Washington, D.C., same-sex marriages could begin as early as February,2010 [1]
- In New York, same-sex marriages from other states or foreign countries are recognized but they are not performed.
- In Rhode Island, two opinions of the attorney general suggest that same-sex marriages should be recognized, but a state Supreme Court opinion appears to contradict this position; same-sex marriages are not performed in Rhode Island.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Kris Allen Covers When Doves Cry
- Clay Aiken Will Compete on Celebrity Apprentice
- Scotty McCreery Beats Everyone Since Season 7
- Preview Clay Aiken’s Tried and True Album
- Clay Aiken Notches Another First
I hate how gay sexuality is not accepted. AND IT’S NOT RECOGNIZED IN TEXAS! WHAT THE HELL! I KNOW SO MANY GAY AND BI-SEXUAL PEOPLE IN TEXAS!
s/b ‘mais, quelquefois, un peu risque’ (but, sometimes, a little risque).
Re: Adam’s AMA performance…IMHO, it was no different than so many other past performances by artists in which they tried to ‘push the envelope’ for that current period in time. Be honest…darn near every AMA performance, on that same show as Adam, by well-known artists such as Janet Jackson…who grabbed her crotch at least ten times to remind the audience she was related to ‘the great one’…was overtly sexy ( even the pants portion of Lady Gaga’s costume was bordering on obscene and very cringe-worthy). Even Triump, the Insult Dog, talks dirtier than Adam’s performance actually was. It was an ADULT show and those who allowed their young children to watch it were the ones at fault. Art is never static and is seldom considered obscene…mais, quelguefois, un peu risgue.
Am so glad that Canada stands for equality in same-sex issues. True, there will always be citizens who seem to suggest otherwise, but, on the whole, Canadians are far more broad-minded and accepting than most other citizens in foreign countries and, unfortunately, our closest neighbor.
Working with UNICEF was just one aspect of Clay’s philanthropic endeavors; he has been completely immersed in his NEP (National Inclusion Project)and, perhaps, now is the time to expand his charity to other countries that are receptive to his personal lifestyle. Canada is wide open to him and in need of the unique concepts and programs Clay’s charity sponsors. Autism is not selective in its ravages of the minds of children. It is everywhere. Clay has so many other options open to him other than UNICEF. We should be encouraging him to go forward, rather than lamenting what he can no longer do.
I think the point of the blog was that homosexuality is considered an abomination in some/many places. I feel I have to try to change that perception and hope laws will be changed to give all equal rights..
It is not Clay or Adam’s choice to be gay, and each individual situation is different. We know Clay wants his private life and his child’s just that, and for all I know Adam does too.
Pixie,
I agree he had little self control during the AMA’s. But that is hardly the same thing as going to a country and breaking the law by having homosexual sex when he know that it could get him KILLED.
A performance on stage and actually having sex are two completely different things. But I don’t think he has anything to worry about because I think, as a matter of principle, he wouldn’t travel to those places.
I don’t know, Marie. Adam (by his own confession) seems challenged by self control during a performance. Mary has a point that if Adam has such issues, as he personally claims, then he might very well cause trouble for himself in such a country. I don’t know that I would classify her comment as a cruel jab. More of a discerning observation.
In any case, I’m pretty sure most people here, regardless of their antipathy towards Adam, would not want any real harm to come to him.
And you know what? Taking an article about the DEATH PENALTY and using it as an opportunity to jab at Adam is just cruel.
Mary,
Ummmm….okay. I highly doubt Adam would break THE LAW in one of those countries. I ALSO highly doubt he would ever travel there to begin with.
And wow, I see you haven’t been able to get past the AMA performance. MOVE ON. He has had dozens and dozens of televised performances, yet you obsess over that one…
I know you think that Adam is the dirty one. But YOU’RE the one who can’t get this out of her mind…
“In the countries were homosexuality is punishable by death/life in prison, it is not BEING gay that will get you in trouble. You have to be caught committing a homosexual act.”
If that’s the case it would be much easier for Lambert to get in trouble if he “gets caught in the moment”.
I don’t think Clay would get in trouble because he is very private, but anyway I prefer Clay not to travel to any of those countries ever again.
In the countries were homosexuality is punishable by death/life in prison, it is not BEING gay that will get you in trouble. You have to be caught committing a homosexual act. So neither Clay or Adam would be arrested simply for going to the country in question. That said, no gay person in their right mind would travel to these places…
This particular blog article has been eating away at me for a couple of days. I’ve come to the conclusion that it should never have been published. The fact that UNICEF representatives and workers are in danger for all varieties of reason is obvious- being white, being Christian, being western, being gay…you name it when you are dealing with poverty, ignorance and war any excuse will do. I am concerned that published thoughts about this just paint targets on our celebrities in the field at worst and close doors to their philantropic hands on efforts in the third world in the best case scenario. Some things ( even true things) are just kept quiet for the greater good.
I’m sure UNICEF guards Clay’s safety but he is still a brave man to venture into countries where human rights are withheld. How many men would choose to take the route that Clay has taken? How many men would be brave enough? Clay stands for the rights of women and children throughout the world. How many men are righteous enough do this?
Excellent article and informative map. I’m very proud of Clay Aiken and he has helped so many.
It saddens me to think there is actually countries out there that actually are going to put someone to death because of their orientation! I so glad we live in a free country..
I really dont think this is going to stop Clay..I am thinking that most of the countries he goes to..as no clue about him..so they wouldnt know what his sexuality is..
I hope some day..we arent talking about this anymore because everyone is going to have equal rights!
Talking about gay marriage in the US to me is a matter of equal rights. The laws against gays that result in death or imprisonment seems to be a violation of human rights. Clay Aiken is trying to live his life as a normal person.
It is unfortunate that Clay’s UNICEF travels may be limited to gay friendly countries, especially since he loves Afghanistan. One’s sexuality should be private, and the media has hounded Clay since day one regarding his private life. Pigs like Perez Hilton and TMZ and so many on the GLAAD bandwagon who force celebrities to disclose their private sex lives in order to “normalize” homosexuality should be shunned. While I personally don’t support gay marriage, nor do I support harassment or legal penalties against gays. Why can’t we respect each other’s privacy and leave discussion regarding someone’s sex life, gay or straight, unspoken?
I wondered if his coming out would affect his ability to travel for UNICEF – guess the answer is probably yes. What a loss of a good man’s abilities to connect with the at risk children of the world.
It breaks my heart to know what it cost him when he came out, and infuriates me that the idiots in the media never considered what the cost would be when they hounded him for years to come out. What a price to pay just to shut up those fools who think it is their right to decide when and if a gay person should “just come out.”
So sad that some believe they have a RIGHT to know about a person’s sexual orientation. The person involved has a RIGHT to their own privacy. In Clay’s case, he had a RIGHT to his own safety as he traveled for UNICEF to make the world a safer place for its children. How sad this work might be compromised now.
Wow! Frightening stuff. I, too, have wondered how his coming out would affect Clay’s UNICEF work. I knew that most of the countries he had visited frowned upon homosexuality, but I didn’t realize that the death penalty was involved for many of them.
It speaks even more strongly to his humanitarian efforts that he visited those countries anyway; I find it terribly sad that the countries which most need the assistance of UNICEF and its ambassadors are those where the stigma of being gay carries such a heavy weight.
Clay is truly trying to make a difference in this world – I hope he can continue to travel safely to various places under the UNICEF umbrella and that his written word(s) will travel to ALL people and places that can be of assistance to those in need.
Needless to say, I am very proud of this man and very proud to call myself a fan.
On the music level, I also find it very sad that he and Adam may not be allowed to safely tour where some of their fans might be. Sad for Clay, sad for Adam, and sad for those fans who may never have the chance to see them in concert.
[...] This post was Twitted by MJsBlog [...]
I am so proud of Clay Aiken going to places that consider homosexuality illegal, or, in many places, ie. US, it is a mixed bag of acceptance. I’m certain he will continue to do his job as other gays are doing and hoping for enlightenment soon. Why do we discount people who have so much to offer? If the dj’s, late night comediens, tabloids, and talk shows in this country would show a bit more respect for sexual orientation maybe others would follow. Instead, gays are bait for snickers and jokes.
How sad that it appears that Clay can no longer travel for UNICEF to these countries without fearing for his safety and his life. I do wonder if the laws only apply to their citizens, and American citizens, especially those working for UNICEF would be exempt. It is a sad situation that such hatred and ignorance still exists in the world. If Mexico, which was really homophobic, is now allowing gay marriage, maybe there is hope.
So much hate in the world when there is so much love needed. I see the faces of hate in the world and in this country regarding gays and it saddens me. Clay Aiken has done invaluable work for UNICEF and for children yet in some parts of the world he could be executed or imprisoned for life because of his sexual orientation which is not by choice, but by genes. He has given so much and has much more to offer as other gay people do.
How incredibly sad….We all know that Clay looked forward to his Unicef trips…. It wasn’t until recently that I found out that celebrities pay their own expenses there…. These are the things that I believe keeps Clay grounded…He thrives on helping children.
Some people have no idea of what gay people have to go through for acceptance…I am sure Clay knew of the countries that he would not be accepted, but he continued anyways, as he was not out yet….I am so thankful that he was able to do this beforehand… but now that the world knows, I would imagine that these places will now be off limit to him. Sad for Clay, sad for the children.
I must say….GO CANADA….. Makes me proud….
Very sad. Clay has said that the one place on the planet (besides North Carolina) that he truly loves is Afghanistan. According to the map, he could be thrown in jail and executed for being in that country. So sad.
Meanwhile I know that he will continue to be a spokesperson for Unicef.
Wow! I hope Clay will still be able to travel for them. He loves it so. Thank you for your research.
Thanks MJ. The map was very informative. It is almost 2010 and it seems the world is still backwards when it comes to a person’s personal life and choices. I hope this get through to some “fans” who have been so vocal about his coming out in his time.
Unicef is important to Clay and it too bad that something so personal could infringe on his helping to bring to light the plight of the world’s women and children. But Unicef does take good care of all that work for them and their causes.
How incredibly sad it is to see that map. It is my hope that Clay Aiken will continue to be able to do what his heart leads him to do – including visiting those countries on the map where acceptance is not the norm (of course one could argue that includes the majority of the United States).
2010 is fast approaching – here’s hoping that the next decade holds peace & acceptance for ALL – regardless of race, sex, religion or sexual orientation. What an amazing world that would be.
This article really tells us more about Clay and UNICEF. I have been concerned that Clay’s travel for UNICEF would be restricted. Instead of quitting, Clay is still actively involved behind the scenes, teaching the world by writing.
This says a lot about how much UNICEF respects Clay.
What a sad world we live in where people are not allowed to be who they are.
This article was an eye-opener. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope that the day will come when people will no longer be persecuted due to their sexual orientation.
Clay has been to some very dangerous areas but his trips are never publicized until after he’s back safe. UNICEF does a great job of protecting their celebrity ambassadors so I will take comfort in that.
thank you MJ for a great article. It’s sad world we live in.
The map is sobering. Clay basically put his life on the line going to those countries. I hope this doesn’t stop him from being able to conintue his travels there.