American Idol

Homosexuality on American Idol has been a controversial issue from the beginning. In season 1, FOX pressured finalist Jim Verraros to tone down gay-friendly comments he made on various websites. Last night's Omaha auditions proved that perhaps the show has come a long way.

Without being too presumptuous, the episode started and ended with likely homosexual contestants. Chris Bernheisel was a bit of a stereotype, singing Paula Abdul songs in the halls with a fairly effeminate voice. Leo Marlowe at the end wasn't quite as stereotypical, but was quite open, proudly boasting that his mother calls him a “perfect homecoming queen.” Only Leo made it to Hollywood, but that doesn't mean we've seen the end of Chris.

While Chris Bernheisel's American Idol audition was poor, he was upbeat, energetic, and most importantly, brought presents. When he asked to audition as a red carpet reporter for the finale, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson let him do his thing, which, to be honest, was about as good as the singing.

But in a renewed spirit of showing kindness to homosexual contestants, the judges agreed that, if Bernheisel could convince his local FOX affiliate to sponsor him, he could report from the red carpet of the finale. With major TV time like that, it's almost a foregone conclusion that we'll be seeing him at the end, if only because it will give a small town FOX affiliate even more national exposure.

At the end of the evening was Leo Marlowe, who seemed destined for failure, the kind of person you look at and instantly assume will be a hilariously bad audition. Yet he brought some skills, and was praised by Simon, adored by Paula, and unanimously put through to Hollywood.

Perhaps this is a chance for the show to turn the corner on the issue of homosexuality.. Obviously on a show where America votes, it's going to be difficult for an openly gay contestant to succeed. Far as we've come as a nation (on the verge of electing either a black, female or Mormon president), homosexuals are still largely persecuted as a prime target for right-wing conservatives. Just last night, in Mitt Romney's Florida concession speech, he spoke aggressively about the importance of married parents being the only people who should raising children. Something tells me that doesn't come with an amendment to allow gay marriage.

It's good to see that, while America may not be ready to fully turn the corner on the issue of gay rights, the American Idol judges are, providing encouragement to openly gay singers when, just six short years ago, it was encouraging them to run back into the closet.

On a sidenote, it's worth noting that both Chris and Leo come from small towns in Nebraska and Iowa. One imagines growing up gay in tiny Midwest towns isn't easy. It's inspiring to see these two young men abandon any worries or concerns of persecution and proudly put themselves out there on a national stage.

And on an even lesser sidenote, Ryan Seacrest successfully proved he's NOT a homosexual based on his wardrobe from the Omaha auditions. His t-shirt looked to be an extra-large, and someone of Seacrest's short stature wearing it was ridiculous. The entire night I kept thinking he looked like a 14-year-old boy who accidentally got his college-aged brother's shirt mixed in with his. If were actually gay, as people love to speculate, his fashion sense would've kicked in and he'd have gone back to the tight-fitting t-shirts he used to love so much.

Read More Idol Musings:
#1: The City of Brotherly Love/Hate
#2: 2 out of 3 Judges Can't Be Right
#3: The Unlikability Factor
#4: Hey, Hey!  You, You!


-John Kubicek, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image courtesy of FOX)