Male and female behaviors should be treated equally

It seems that little can elicit a response from the typical American TV watcher. Violence, sex - we've all seen it before. Yet Adam Lambert's stage antics provoked a wave of controversy and outrage, above all other global current events, in the American media circuit last week. Adam Lambert is an openly gay American Idol runner-up who, on the American Music Awards, kissed a male keyboard player and had another male dancer simulate oral sex during a performance. Since this occurred, ABC's "Good Morning America" canceled Lambert's appearance and he has been asked to apologize.

This uproar brings to light several alarming issues. What happened to freedom of speech and expression? The last scene, which included the simulated oral sex, was edited out of the airing of the show for the West Coast. But why? Sex is portrayed blatantly on TV shows and movies all the time and it rarely results in the same kind of fuss. There are those whose main claim is that Lambert's simulation of oral sex was over the top, but female entertainers have done the same in the past. Sex is sex, regardless of the gender of those involved. Homophobia is not a valid excuse for anything, especially not for attempts to curtail constitutional rights. Janet Jackson once brought a male fan onto stage during her concert and not only simulated oral sex, but actual sex. But because her actions fell into the tradition of male-female relations, no one complained. Some say that Lambert's actions were not appropriate for younger audiences. But the show was on at 11 p.m., at which time many cable stations no longer need to censor their material for fear of exposure to younger audiences. In addition, he is not responsible for what children watch - their parents are. Look at all of the billboards and advertisements prevalent in the media. Fewer people express outrage over those, and they are just as sexually charged.

This is just a blatant example of sexism and homophobia. So we live in a society where women can be objectified, but men cannot? If Adam Lambert had kissed or touched a woman, there would not be the same type of outrage. Because he is openly gay, all of his actions suddenly become a reflection of his homosexuality.

But they should not be. His actions were his own, not unlike those of other musical performers. The infamous Madonna-Britney kiss has been immortalized as a publicity stunt and people mostly dismissed it as typical show business. Everyone knows that Katy Perry apparently "kissed a girl" - and "liked it," no less. So how is the Adam Lambert kiss any different? The male keyboard player he kissed is straight and the kiss was just a part of the act. In this day and age, performers are always trying to outdo one another, constantly vying for attention. Lambert himself has stated that this was his primary intention. It speaks volumes that society is "entertained" by two women kissing one another, but not by two men. The Madonna-Britney and Katy Perry kisses were in keeping with societal standards: that girl-on-girl is the typical straight man fantasy and is no threat to male hegemony.

Adam Lambert does not need to apologize for his actions. To lambast him for his actions is to discriminate against him. As a performer, he has every right to be as controversial as heterosexual performers. His sexuality should not have an impact on how his actions are viewed. The only way to overcome discrimination is to recognize it when it occurs and to know that it is not acceptable. This is an incident that brings to attention a greater issue of double standards that cannot be dismissed. Gay performers have every right to do everything that other performers do. To say otherwise is a clear instance of discrimination.