Adam Lambert shines in urgent documentary unpicking challenges faced by LGBTQ+ music stars-Jamie Windust-Entertainment – Metro

Adam Lambert is taking on a new role in Out, Loud & Proud (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

With a career spanning over 15 years, Adam Lambert is the poster child for many queer young people’s upbringing both in the UK and across the pond.

From appearing on American Idol in 2009 to touring globally with Queen bandmates Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor in recent years – his unique, leather-clad star has consistently risen.

But in Out, Loud & Proud, Lambert takes on a new role – the interviewer – and is a shining example of how effective it is to use your position within an industry to not only celebrate those who have come before us, but uplift those being targeted right now because of their sexuality or gender identity. 

The new star-studded ITV1 documentary features contributions from the likes of Erasure’s Andy Bell and Lambert’s bandmates May and Taylor, where we are given the opportunity to reflect on the pernicious influence that homophobia had on musicians in the 1980s and early 90s.

The media speculation surrounding entertainers’ sexualities made consistent headline news, with Lambert explaining the often unknown history of Elton John coming out as bisexual before sharing that he was in fact gay in the early 1990s due to media speculation and harassment at the time by the press.

Knowing queer history is deeply important for the generations of LGBTQ+ people who have only ever existed in times that are considerably more free than those of our queer elders. But where Lambert shines is in his ability to use his position to allow musicians who don’t often get the spotlight, to share their stories of discrimination and strife, not for the sake of ‘trauma porn’, but for us as an audience to see behind the showbiz curtain and understand that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows on stage.

‘Our community needs more allies like Lambert.’ (Picture: ITV)

Skin, from 90s band Skunk Anansie, the first Black British artist to headline Glastonbury, candidly reveals the cacophony of racism, homophobia and misogyny she faced during their heyday. She explains that, after they had headlined Glastonbury, the press remained silent despite the historic moment for the band. Lambert’s position here wasn’t to interrogate or question Skin’s experience, but instead, he allowed her the space to share her experience in ways she hadn’t been able to before creating a powerful moment between the two as well as for the audience.

British pop icon and songwriter MNEK speaks with Lambert from the recording studio about the homophobia he’s faced from the black community, as well as the deep-rooted racism that still exists in LGBTQ+ spaces. He identifies that, despite achieving commercial success and writing for the likes of Beyonce and Kylie Minogue, the duality of his experience as a black gay man has led to him feeling disenfranchised at times from both communities.

Allyship shouldn’t need a pat on the back and a special rainbow award, but in a time when corporate allyship and pride events often feel like PR stunts for non-queer celebs to align themselves with the ‘alphabet soup’, Lambert’s own story, and his struggles during the early years of his career, enable him to empathise and connect.

Lambert’s struggles during the early years of his career enable him to empathise and connect (Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

In his final chat with Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe for her role in Ryan Murphy’s Pose, the discrimination that she has experienced as a trans woman within the music and TV industry mirrors the deeply prejudiced treatment that Bell, May and Taylor were referencing in the 1980s towards lesbian and gay entertainers. The documentary doesn’t hold back in showcasing how history is repeating itself, with Lambert explaining that this time it’s targeted at trans people.

As a queer, non-binary viewer it’s an opportunity for me to not only feel represented, but to continue to learn about how I can support those around me within my community who live on the intersections. Our community needs more allies like Lambert, and I know that LGBTQ+ viewers will revel in seeing an out, gay man use his platform to give trans voices the love they deserve right now.

Out, Loud and Proud is a stellar example of how to showcase the depth and breadth of the queer communities creativity whilst making sure to advocate for a better society for those making the hits, and those of us who feel empowered and seen when we are listening to them.

Adam Lambert: Out, Loud & Proud is available to watch on ITVX.

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