MALAYSIA / SINGAPORE: Lambert forging ahead with Malaysia concert despite Islamic activists' opposition

Record ID: 751836

  • Title: MALAYSIA / SINGAPORE: Lambert forging ahead with Malaysia concert despite Islamic activists' opposition
  • Date: 15th October 2010
  • Summary: SINGAPORE (RECENT - SEPTEMBER 25, 2010) (REUTERS) ANIMATION OF ADAM LAMBERT'S GLAM NATION TOUR ON LARGE SCREEN LAMBERT PERFORMING BAND/LAMBERT SINGING VARIOUS OF LAMBERT AND BAND PERFORMING FANS CHANTING KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (OCTOBER 14, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LAMBERT LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 30th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVABCY0DTHZODYMPOX6YQS3Z29WE
  • Story Text: U.S. singer Adam Lambert said his Malaysian concert on Thursday (October 14) would reflect his sexuality despite Islamist anger over his show, which has been accused of promoting "gay culture."
    Lambert, in a black jacket and pants and sporting his trademark black eyeliner, said at a news conference ahead of the concert that the only thing he would omit from his show in the mainly Muslim Southeast Asian country was an onstage kiss with a fellow male performer.
    "My performance probably will still have a lot of vibe about it, that's not something I can really control. I'm just refraining from making one little kiss, I don't think is that big of the deal," said Adam Lambert, the former "American Idol" runner-up said when asked whether he was sending the wrong message by agreeing to suppress his sexuality in his show.
    Homosexual sex is a criminal offense in Malaysia, and the main Islamist opposition party in the country has described the show as promoting "gay culture". Party members have pledged to proselytize concert goers.
    Foreign acts often draw protests from the Pan Malaysian Islamic party (PAS), which since 2007 has campaigned against performances by singers including Beyonce, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne and Mariah Carey.
    "People have a problem with me kissing a guy on stage but you know as much as I hate to compromise at any time, it's more important for me to bring the people of Malaysia my show. And to show them that the most important thing is all the support they have shown me, so to make that slight compromise I say it's worth it," said Lambert.
    The concert in Malaysia is part of the Asian leg of his tour which saw recent stopovers in Japan and Singapore.
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