While we get the whole "Being gay is only one part of a person and it has nothing to do with their ability" bit, we also would like to remind Lythgoe that all too often silence equals an assumption (coerced or not) of heterosexuality. And one of the greatest tools that the LGBT liberation movement has is visibility. So while it might not seem important in a singing competition for a contestant to be (obviously/vocally/undeniably) out, the more people in positions of influence/visible in the mainstream who come of the closet, the less we'll need the closet.
Lythgoe's response also smacks a little too much of the old "Gay people can be gay as long as I don't have to hear about it" stance and we're not having that anymore. American Idol has some catching up to do with the other reality singing competitions (like The Voice, X Factor, and The Glee Project) and we're hoping it happens sooner rather than later.
What do you think?
-- NOAH MICHELSON
Read our September cover story featuring Adam Levine (which includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of his Out photo shoot) here.
Previously > Adam Levine Is Out's September Cover Boy
