Adam Lambert compares popstars coming out as non-binary to coming out as gay 10 years ago
Adam Lambert of Queen performs onstage in Central Park on September 28, 2019. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
Popstars like Sam Smith coming out as non-binary today is similar to popstars coming out as gay 10 years ago, says gay US singer Adam Lambert.
The Queen singer told NME that he was “so proud” of Smith for speaking their truth, and compared the backlash they’ve experienced to the backlash Lambert received for coming out as gay.
“I think it’s a whole new conversation and not a widely explored topic,” Lambert said of non-binary identities.
“The media loves something that feels new and 10 years ago – in America anyway – there wasn’t a lot of mainstream music people identifying as gay, so it was a novelty, and I feel there might be some parallels there,” he said.
“On a personal level, I’m really happy for Sam that they’ve found their truth and they’re feeling liberated by it.”
Smith came out as non-binary and genderqueer earlier this year and last month requested people use they/them pronouns when referring to them.
Lambert said: “At some point, you have to break through the ceiling and discuss trans or non-binary issues and I’m so proud of Sam – they’re really doing a bold thing. It’s time. A lot of the negative reaction to it is because people are just not being empathetic.”
Smith was misgendered by several media outlets in stories about their pronouns.
“If you stop for a minute and make it not about you and put yourself in the shoes of the person that’s being talked about and try to understand their experience – just for a second – you’ll realise what’s being asked is just that you be a decent human being,” Lambert said.
“People get defensive, saying: ‘How dare you ask me to change the way I think!’, and just a little empathy would help.”
Lambert also spoke about how, 10 years ago when he came out as gay, he knew that if he didn’t the burden of carrying that secret would be too much.
“I feel strongly about the principle of things and knew I couldn’t not be out and open and verbal about who and what I am. It would be a disservice to fans, the gay community and myself,” he said.
