The singer, who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program “American Idol” in 2003, is now the happy father of Parker Foster Aiken, born on August 8th 2008. The baby’s mother is neither a wife or a girlfriend, but a close friend of Aiken’s, Jaymes Foster, the sister of record producer David Foster, also in the music business herself, which led, yet again, to speculations on Aiken’s sexual orientation.

Rumors have been circulating over the years, but Clay has been avoiding the answers. He once said in an interview with The Associated Press two years ago that he doesn’t think the issue is of general interest. "I don't really feel like I have anybody to answer to but myself and God and the people I love."

But now that he’s a dad and is starting a new life, Clay Aiken finally comes out of the closet, as he feels is better for his son to grow in an open environment. In an interview published in the last issue of People Magazine, due to come out on Friday, which features a picture of the new dad and baby Parker on the cover, along with the title “Yes, I am gay,” Aiken talks about how he promised to himself to publicly acknowledge his sexuality once his son was born.

"It was the first decision I made as a father. I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a child to do that."

Aiken, who has come a long way since his “American Idol” debut and is now well known for his charity work, as well for his other performances, including Broadway appearances, says he hopes his coming out will not affect the way his fans see him: "Whether it be having a child out of wedlock, or whether it be simply being a homosexual, it's going to be a lot."