Since then, he's become the first openly gay man to top the Billboard 200 album chart with his second album, "Trespassing." Now, he's lending his support to the push toward marriage equality in Maryland. Tuesday, Lambert headlines a fundraising concert for Marylanders for Marriage Equality at the 9:30 Club in D.C.
Lambert was eager to discuss his feelings on the bill, his identity as a gay artist and whether or not marriage is in the cards for him.
Do you have plans to get married?
No plans now. I would like the right. I'm fighting for not only myself but for anybody else who's gay or lesbian and wants to be able to be married. Whether I was straight or gay, I would still support this issue because it's a human issue.
If there are enough yeses on Question 6, Maryland will be the first state to uphold marriage equality bill after it's been put to referendum. What are your thoughts on that?
To me, I saw Prop 8 come up in California, and everyone assumed it would work out. Unfortunately, it didn't, and that was kind of embarrassing. When that happened, I said if there's anything I can do in the future to help lend my support to this type of cause, I'm going to.
When I heard about Maryland, I was like, 'This is the next Prop 8!' What I love about this concept is that it's giving the power to the people, which is an important step.
What do you think will happen if the referendum fails?
It'll probably pull together even more people. When Prop 8 failed, it caused quite a stir. People were really up in arms. The more challenges we face as a human rights movement, the stronger the force will become to change it.
The 9:30 Club is technically in Washington, D.C. Do you think it's a little funny or strange that this event for a Maryland issue is taking place in D.C.?
Gotta do what you gotta do. Maybe they had a connection over in D.C.; I don't know. What's cool is that D.C. is our political center, in essence. I hope that brings more attention to the issue — to have it in an area that has a lot of political action going on.
What would you say to those who oppose marriage equality?
Chill out. That's what I'd say. I think everybody has the right to be equal. If all of a sudden, we're saying redheads can't get married because they're redheads, I don't think that would work out.
Have you had any special experiences or moments based on your identity as a gay artist?
I've received letters and heard from people that have basically expressed they were very ignorant to what the gay and lesbian community was about, and they had preconceived notions. Because of hearing what I do as a singer and being fans of my entertainment, they slowly came around and wanted to be a little more open-minded so now they are open-minded. It's beautiful thing and a huge reward for me that people can feel that way.
It's so interesting though; I go back and forth because at the same time, why does it matter? This issue, the heart of it, is not about how you identify politically. It's not about being straight, gay, Republican, Democrat, it's about being a person who feels something, who doesn't want to separate people.
Who's separating people?
The ones who only let a man and a woman get married, they're separating people. It's so funny to me. Don't worry; we're already separate. There's a separation that's kind of implied, but as far as the law goes, I think we should be equal.
You can hang out in your bars; we can hang out in our bars. Where the best parties are, we'll hang out together. Diversity is way more interesting; segregation gets kind of boring. Don't make us drink out of a different drinking fountain. It's like separate but equal? No, we don't need to be separate; let's just be equal on this one.
If you go
Adam Lambert performs a benefit for Marylanders for Marriage Equality Tuesday at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. N.W. in D.C. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125-$250. Call 877-435-9849 or go to 930.com.
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