Thursday's front-page story about fan reaction to Clay Aiken's coming out drew an angry reaction from a few readers. "I pick up my N&O this morning and see the article about that sorry, good for nothing Aiken," said one male reader who sounded elderly and said he lived in Kenly in Johnston County. "I'm disgusted with you people. If that's front-page news The N&O needs to be in the outhouse where they used to put it. If that's the only front-page news you've got, McClatchy (owners of The N&O) ought to be broke and ought to fire the whole crowd up there and that includes (Publisher Orage) Quarles and you and the rest of it."
The three other front-page stories Thursday were about Wall Street's problems, including a story that said Wake and Durham counties were finding it difficult to borrow money.
Of the Aiken story, front-page editor Steve Merelman said: "Although this was an event of marginal importance in the life of the nation, it was personally important to many people. It was as though many people simultaneously had a close friend come out of the closet. I thought that was a good opportunity to write about changing attitudes toward homosexuality. I think Matt Ehlers did a nice job doing just that."
Comments
Why is this news?
Tue, 09/30/2008 - 09:38 — acidqueenPlenty of non-famous people come out of the closet every day--why are they not news, yet Clay Aiken is?
So he's gay. Who cares? Does it change his singing voice for better or worse? No. Does it make him any more or less of a compassionate human being? No.
Who, except for the self-righteous fundie closetcases, really cares whether or not he's gay?
And?
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 09:10 — DebrahIt's always a mystery why people are affected one way or the other by someone's sexual orientation.
I agree that the story warranted more prominent coverage locally since Aiken grew up in the Triangle.
My senses tell me that most are dispassionate about such a story.
Aiken has a fine voice. The quality of his music perhaps appeals to a wide audience. And that's about it.
The year Aiken and Rueben Studdard were vying for the prize I tuned in to check out "American Idol" simply because the local news covered it so often.
The playful relationship between Aiken and Studdard was the detail I remember most.
Both are very pleasant men as well as talented.
Most perplexing is that anyone is surprised by the news that Aiken is gay. For those people, I'd be more concerned about their lack of perception. I mean, is this really a surprise?
LOL!!!
One should admire the success he has made of his life given the personal tragedy of having been scorned and abandoned by his father.
He also chose well in Jaymes Foster for the mother of his child.
She is the sister of David Foster who is a titan in the music business...as well as a prolific songwriter and superb pianist.
Aiken has done well for himself and has shown great humanity at every turn.
I'm sure he will continue to use his talent for positive endeavors.
Gay or straight, he's not the kind of guy who will ever set the world on fire, so his fan base should not be shaken and should greet this news with a shrug.
And?.......
Clay Aiken comes out
Sun, 09/28/2008 - 20:28 — JJ (not verified)Ok He came out, now can He go back in?