Adam Lambert sparks controversy in Singapore, responds

November 29, 2015 : Hot Trending In United Kingdom

Adam Lambert, seen here performing with Queen in Australia in 2014, will tour Singapore. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Adam Lambert may have been a hit on American Idol but rival petitions in Singapore have gathered thousands of online votes in a lively debate over whether he is too sexy to be allowed to perform at the city-state's largest New Year's eve concert.
The petition against Lambert, addressed to concert organiser Mediacorp and the government and signed by "concerned citizens... parents [and] individuals", was closed with 20,067 signatures to back its case that a performance by the openly gay singer did not align with Singaporean values. It claimed Lambert had responded to their concerns.
The petitioners argued that having Lambert at the concert would bring a sour note to the end of the conservative city-state's 50th birthday celebrations.
The singer did issue a statement on Facebook in which he said: "I am a uniter, not a divider, and I believe in celebrating the human heart and spirit. I have put together an entirely new show experience for my fans that is kicking off in Singapore."

Two rival petitions backing Lambert had each gathered more than 20,000 votesarguing that allowing the performance would show that Singapore shunned discrimination and promoted diversity.
The organisers of the petition 'We Want Adam Lambert Performing in Countdown 2016' said: "The only thing the opposing side has accomplished is embarrassing themselves and the groups that promoted their petition. This is a clear message to those people that their homophobic and discriminatory ways are not welcome in Singapore."
The concert organiser said it was sticking with Lambert, a runner-up on American idol who caused controversy during his 2009 American Music Awards performance when he kissed his male keyboard player and stimulated sexual acts with dancers.
Sex between men is illegal in Singapore.
State TV company Mediacorp maintained Lambert would perform, and said the televised concert would be suitable for family audiences and conform with broadcast regulations.

Source:

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/adam-lambert-sparks-controversy-in-singapore-responds-20151130-glb3we.html