Clay Aiken and Lover All Alone

I have edited this blog about 20 times - first starting out about Clay Aiken and David Foster penning the poignant Lover All Alone - scratch that. Then I started typing about Clay Aiken, the activist - everything from National Inclusion Project to UNICEF, and how admirable I found it that he went into countries, like Uganda and Somalia, that would imprison or kill him for simply being who he is - scratch that.

So let's just get down to brass tacks.

In 2010 a rash of LGBT suicides brought the harassment of LGBT youth to the forefront of the American consciousness. The statistics are staggering the pain unacceptable. As reported on (and I recommend you please click on this link for additional information) Youth Pride Inc.

"And on my own it’s hard to tell my heart
it will be all right
This love it holds, will one day find a home."

26% of gay youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts with their families over their sexual identities. (Remafedi, G. (1987). Homosexuality: the adolescent’s perspective. Pediatrics, 79, 326-330.)

"But a lonesome tomorrow comes anyway
I’m alone for another day. Another day."

36.5 % of GLB youth grades 9-12 have attempted suicide. 20.5% of those attempts resulting in medical care. (Robin, L., Brener, N.D., Donahue, S.F., Hack, T., Hale, K., Goodenow, C. (2002). Associations between health risk behaviors and opposite-, same-, and both-sex sexual partners in representative samples of Vermont and Massachusetts high school students. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 156(4): pp. 349-55.)

"For all I know the feeling and the picture
That I’ve tried so hard to find isn’t mine.
Could be it’s all just a waiting game
Wanna share my everything."

84% of LGBT students report being verbally harassed (name calling, threats, etc.) because of their sexual orientation.

I hate breaking human beings down to statistics, but sometimes - in order to see the full picture it is a necessity.

For additional information, resources and help visit:

GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

It Gets Better Project

The Trevor Project

Clay Aiken & Dr. Phil Take on Bullies

On April 19, 2005 Clay Aiken joined Dr. Phil and his son to discuss the topic of bullying. In a powerful show, Clay & Dr. Phil brought to the forefront how devastating bullying can be. Although this show aired four years ago, the topic unfortunately remains a timely one.

For an excellent recap of the show and video of Clay talking to kids being tormented at school, I recommend reading and viewing at The Clay Aiken News Network.

Clay Aiken Meets Dr. Phil

Now for my editorial comment. I teach my children that bullying is never okay. Unfortunately, my job as a parent is made more difficult when making fun of people on television, the radio, movies and on the internet is acceptable behavior. I'm sure Clay Aiken thought that bullying was behind him once he left High School - little did he know that it had just begun and how vicious it could be. Clay is a great role model - he ignores the bullies, holds his head high and continues to live his life. I wish I could be half as strong as he is.

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