Adam Lambert said his Malaysian concert on Thursday (Oct. 14) would reflect his sexuality despite Islamist anger over his show, which has been accused of promoting “gay culture.”
Lambert 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.
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“My performance will still have a lot of vibes about it,” said Lambert, in a black jacket and pants and sporting his trademark black eyeliner.
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“That’s not something I can really control. I’m just refraining from making one little kiss,” 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.
“There will be lots of leather and some sequins, and spikes and studs and fur, it’ll be exciting,” said Lambert.
Homosexual sex is a criminal offence 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 Beyoncé, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne and Mariah Carey.
“I think some 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,” said Lambert.
(Reporting by Razak Ahmad; Editing by Elaine Lies)
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