GLAAD Excuses ABC Over Adam Lambert

After talking to them about a possible anti-gay double standard, GLAAD has issued a statement excusing ABC for canceling several scheduled appearances by Adam Lambert after his performance on the American Music Awards.

After these discussions ABC issued the following statement to GLAAD: "Given the live nature of the American Music Awards, Adam Lambert’s performance, which differed greatly from his rehearsal, caught many, including the network, off guard. This is not a question of Lambert’s sexual orientation. As is evidenced by GLAAD’s media report card, ABC is at the forefront of positive gay and lesbian portrayal on television. We welcome openly gay performers and look forward to continuing our great work within the LGBT community."

“It would appear that the kiss between Adam Lambert and his keyboardist did not factor into ABC’s decision,” said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “ABC has a history of positive gay and transgender inclusion that includes featuring kisses between gay and lesbian couples on-air.” “We applaud the visibility of openly gay performers and congratulate Adam Lambert for sharing his story on the Ellen DeGeneres Show this week as well as his upcoming appearance on The Jay Leno Show,” Barrios said.

GLAAD's statement immediately caused a furor on social networking sites, after which they issued this update.

Since his American Music Awards performance occurred GLAAD has consistently advocated that Adam Lambert and openly gay artists not be held to a double standard. As we have expressed publicly, it is disappointing that ABC will not give Lambert a chance to perform at this time. GLAAD’s discussions with ABC focused on confirming that his sexual orientation was not a factor in their decisions. ABC confirmed this is not about a same-sex kiss or his sexual orientation but about being “caught off guard.” GLAAD asked ABC and calls on them for clarification on “caught off guard” so that the community knows why Lambert is being denied the opportunity to perform on the network.

ABC Cancels Adam Lambert Again

ABC has canceled another Adam Lambert appearance, this time for an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live scheduled for next week.

That naughty American Music Awards performance isn't going to be behind Adam Lambert anytime soon. Even after his well-received performance on "The Early Show" last week, ABC continues to feel uncomfortable around Lambert. His Dec. 17 "Jimmy Kimmel Live" appearance was canceled today--news Lambert himself delivered on his Twitter page an hour ago. The performance on Kimmel's live stage was scheduled before Lambert made his now infamous debut on the AMAs on Nov. 22. In one of his tweets about the matter, Lambert told his fans not to blame ABC but rather "It's the FCC heat." It's not clear whether ABC told Lambert to put the blame there or if the "American Idol" runner-up is making his own assumptions.

But we do know the following: The FCC doesn't monitor programming after 10 p.m. Don't believe us? The following is an excerpt from its website: "The FCC has determined, with the approval of the courts, that there is a reasonable risk that children will be in the audience from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Therefore, the FCC prohibits station licensees from broadcasting indecent material during that period. "Material is indecent if, in context, it depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium...The 'safe harbor' refers to the time period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., local time. During this time period, a station may air indecent and/or profane material."

Reading Lambert's Twitter feed, it appears that this latest cancellation may include a New Year's Eve performance, but no specific show is named. Meanwhile music fans point to the below 2004 performance by Pink which included simulated male/female oral sex but resulted in zero public outcry or discipline by networks.

Adam Lambert Apologizes

On today's episode of Ellen, Adam Lambert expresses some regret for his performance on the American Music Awards, telling DeGeneres that he probably took things too far. Ellen gets it right: "If you are going to complain about sexual content on television, you should complain about all sexual content."

Anti-Gay Hate Group Liberty Counsel Files FCC Complaint Over Adam Lambert

Never one to miss a publicity opportunity, premiere closet case Peter LaBarbera has announced that the anti-gay Liberty Counsel has filed the first FCC indecency complaint (PDF) over Adam Lambert's performance on the American Music Awards.

The Lambert performance featured, among other things, simulated oral sex, suggestive crotch grabbing, simulated digital penetration, sadomasochistic conduct, and homosexual open-mouth kissing. The Lambert performance was obscene.

Broadcasting obscene or indecent conduct is prohibited by 18 U.S.C. § 1464 and 47 C.F.R. § 73.3999. Conduct is obscene if: “(1) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; (2) depicts or describes in a patently offensive way sexual conduct; and (3) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.” Infinity Broadcasting Corp., 3 F.C.C.R 930 (1987) (citing Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973)). The Lambert performance clearly appealed to the prurient interest and depicted patently offensive sexual conduct. The performance depicted, among other things, simulated oral sex, suggestive crotch grabbing, simulated digital penetration, sadomasochistic conduct, and homosexual open-mouth kissing.

The Lambert performance lacks serious artistic value. ABC touted the Lambert performance as “what everyone will be talking about tomorrow.” Lambert’s vocal performance was not the crux of the performance; it was the obscene sexual conduct that ABC touted. Thus, the purpose was not to display serious artistic interest.

From his gay porn-strewn dungeon in the Chicago suburbs, LaBarbera warns: Folks, we’ll have much more on Adam Lambert and his calculated use of his nationally broadcast American Music Awards stage act to advance homosexual immorality and sadistic perversions in the name of “nondiscrimination.”

CBS' Early Show Blurs Out Adam's Same-Sex Kiss, But Not Britney-Madonna's

After Elton points out that Adam Lambert's point about a double standard for gay males does exist after CBS' Early Show this morning blurred out his American Music Awards kiss with a male band member, but did not do the same when rerunning Madonna's open-mouthed kiss with Britney Spears. Call CBS to complain: 212-975-4321.


(Tipped by JMG reader Lisa)

ABC Cancels Adam Lambert Concert

ABC has canceled tomorrow's scheduled concert on Good Morning America in the aftermath of his controversial performance on Sunday's American Music Awards. But CBS has jumped on his new availability.

If you were hoping to catch Adam Lambert performing on "Good Morning America" this Wednesday, or maybe even see the free concert in person in New York, you're out of luck. The appearance has been canceled. According to an e-mail from a show coordinator: "The Adam Lambert Concert on Good Morning America at the Hudson Theatre has been officially cancelled. It is not necessary to come to the theatre because it will be closed. Thank you for your interest in the show and Adam Lambert. We look forward to your attendance at future events." However, CBS has jumped at the opportunity to have Adam on "The Early Show" on Wednesday morning to discuss his American Music Awards performance, CBS News confirms.

JMG reader Roman suggests complaining to ABC's parent company Disney via this link. Teenager Miley Cyrus on a stripper pole: OK. Girl-on-girl-on-girl kissing: OK. Overt gay male sexuality? NOT OK.