When Clay performed in “The Work”, I was lucky enough to be there more than once. Each time I teared up when he began to sing “Celebrate Me Home”. I’m not sure why. It’s a pretty song, but was never one of my holiday classics. I think it was the word home that got to me. Here’s one line of that song – “It’s time I found myself totally surrounded in your circles.” I don’t remember that line in particular, but it certainly seems meaningful now.
Saturday night, for the first time that I know of, Clay was able to publicly be surrounded in the circle of gay and lesbian acceptance. I think that this is huge! We, as fans, know some of Clay’s struggle for acceptance. I am positive that we don’t know all of it, nor should we. I suspect that acceptance in Clay’s inner circle of close friends and associates may have come sooner, but public acceptance? Yeah, that took a little longer.
Think of the fear that Clay must have experienced. Fear of letting people down, fear of losing friends and fans, fear of the letting go of dreams and plans he may have once had. We know he’s a pretty tough cookie. We know what he has been able to rise above. We know of the adjustments he’s been able to make in order to survive in a world of bullies and critics and the insane music industry. We’re so proud of him and many of us have learned from him when facing our own situations.
Bullies and critics and the “industry” are small time, though, when compared to acceptance of who one truly is. In the past year I think we have seen a happier, more open and more content Clay. We have seen that his self acceptance has allowed him to live without fear. We have seen him be able to be more trusting since he no longer is hiding a “secret”. We have seen his fans embrace him and his new self identity. Some folks weren’t able to do that, but most of us are right here where we have always been.
Saturday night at the GLAAD awards, we heard Clay say “our” community. He said it proudly and without fear of consequence.
It was a celebration of home.
by QBbabe
Saturday night, for the first time that I know of, Clay was able to publicly be surrounded in the circle of gay and lesbian acceptance. I think that this is huge! We, as fans, know some of Clay’s struggle for acceptance. I am positive that we don’t know all of it, nor should we. I suspect that acceptance in Clay’s inner circle of close friends and associates may have come sooner, but public acceptance? Yeah, that took a little longer.
Think of the fear that Clay must have experienced. Fear of letting people down, fear of losing friends and fans, fear of the letting go of dreams and plans he may have once had. We know he’s a pretty tough cookie. We know what he has been able to rise above. We know of the adjustments he’s been able to make in order to survive in a world of bullies and critics and the insane music industry. We’re so proud of him and many of us have learned from him when facing our own situations.
Bullies and critics and the “industry” are small time, though, when compared to acceptance of who one truly is. In the past year I think we have seen a happier, more open and more content Clay. We have seen that his self acceptance has allowed him to live without fear. We have seen him be able to be more trusting since he no longer is hiding a “secret”. We have seen his fans embrace him and his new self identity. Some folks weren’t able to do that, but most of us are right here where we have always been.
Saturday night at the GLAAD awards, we heard Clay say “our” community. He said it proudly and without fear of consequence.
It was a celebration of home.
by QBbabe
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7 comments:
I'm all teary again! What a wonderful testament to Clay Aiken. You have hit the nail squarely on the head. I'm so proud of this strong man. He makes me want to be a better, more giving & compassionate, human being - just by being who he is and living his life.
Thank you so much!
What an honor to have Clay Aiken friends like you and to be a Fan of Clay Aiken... you do me proud!!
love you my friend!!
After the bullies and haters have attacked this good man over time, how great it was for him to be able to be part of the LGBT community, "our community". Celebrate me Home, for sure!
Ok, so now I'm bawling like a newborn. Q, your words are so beautiful. Beautiful enough to celebrate our Clay. Beautiful enough to make us all shine in the light that is Clay. His strength and endurance should be an example to all who struggle in the day to day existence. He truly shows us the mark of a man. I love this man.
QB Babe, wonderful blog that says it all. Yeah Clay Aiken has been through the fire and rose up through the ashes for sure. It feels so good to see him happy and confident in who he is and not be burdened by who society thinks he should be.
Clay Rocks!
outback
QBbabe,
Awesome blog! GLAAD certainly celebrated Clay Aiken home on Saturday. So did his countless fans keeping up via clack from afar.
Thank you to the "Shy Team" for your kind comments in the Carolina blog entries.
Have a great week!
Caro
A beautiful blog, thank you so much.
Clay Aiken is too special for words, we are so lucky to have him in our lives.
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