Adam Lambert credits his family for inspiring LGBTQ+ advocacy

Singer and LGBTQ+ advocate Adam Lambert has paid heartfelt tribute to his family, crediting their open-mindedness and spirited debates for shaping his outspoken activism.

Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, Lambert described his upbringing as one that encouraged critical thinking and fearless conversation. “I come from a household of very opinionated people,” he said. “My brother’s opinionated, I’m opinionated, my dad’s opinionated, my mum is. We used to debate a lot. There were no off-limit subjects. We were always kind of like, ‘Let’s talk about it!’”

Lambert, now 43, rose to fame on American Idol in 2008 and publicly came out in a Rolling Stone article the following year. However, he revealed that he had already been out to friends and family for eight years prior to his television debut. “I was very comfortable and secure with who I was,” he said. “It was never a secret.” 

Reflecting on his journey, Lambert acknowledged the challenges he faced in the early days of his career, including media scrutiny and double standards. After his American Idol finale, photos of him kissing another man surfaced online, leaving him feeling “ashamed.” Yet, he insists that the experience ultimately strengthened his resolve and informed his artistic direction.

Lambert’s advocacy has since become a cornerstone of his public persona. He founded the Feel Something Foundation in 2019, a non-profit dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ rights, tackling issues such as homelessness, mental health, and suicide prevention. 

He also continues to use his platform to challenge misinformation and promote understanding. “Even now, there’s a lot of fear being thrown around,” he said. “If you actually take the time to do some research and get to know somebody that’s of a different group than you’re a part of, I think you learn a lot.”