Which is more homophobic, America or Idol?

by BLAIR BRYANT NICHOLS

In light of David Archuleta’s loss to David Cook on Wednesday’s finale of American Idol, after he was all but crowned by judges) at the final showdown the evening before, had the support of Idol’s most popular blogger, and several media outlets, seems to just be the latest example of the show’s tendency to showcase homophobic opinions. Now everyone is entitled to favor one David over the other, but the show does have a history of drawing ire from GLAAD and the gay media due to comments made by the judges and their treatment of openly gay or effeminate contestants.

A brief review of contestants on Idol that have been accused of being gay and coincidentally ended up in the #2 position on the season finale.

Season 1. Justin Guarini vs. Kelly Clarkson: Kelly clearly had it going on (and still does in my eyes), but there was also a generous helping of speculation as to Justin’s personal “preference.”

Season 2. Clay Aiken vs. Ruben Studdard: Clay blew Ruben away on more than occasion (no pun intended) finished in second place and then went on to sell thousands more albums.

Season 6. Blake Lewis vs. Jordin Sparks: I can’t say that Jordin didn’t deserve to win, but Blake was also plagued with numerous challenges to purported sexuality, mostly due to this picture.

This latest season little David A. had the gays all a swoon while Cook captured the largest demographic of females 18-39. If the first winner of Survivor can be voted to the top, and England’s first Pop Idol (the show American Idol is based on) can carry a successful career as an openly gay performer (and a beautiful one at that)…

…what is taking America so long? I know it’s a silly question that we ask ourselves a lot, but yet another example of how most of the US still cringes at any homosexual carrying not only the mantle of American but that of an Idol.

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