I used to watch the show, but only rarely the audition episodes. Now that I am watching, it is amazing how mean-spirited the whole exercise is. The show does delight in featuring odd, if not mentally-challenged, people.

However, that doesn’t mean I excuse the homophobia. I don’t care if they also make fun of other people - I only saw one episode, and two effeminate men were held up for ridicule. These men were demeaned because of the their gender identity. They weren’t told they couldn’t sing, they were treated like freaks. That crosses the line for me.

I sorta look at the AI judges/producers as school bullies that make fun of everything that is different about the contestants. And unfortunately, the general American audience enjoys this type of behavior.

Again, I’m not supporting this, but before the LGBT community strikes out against this institution, we should realize that there are many more communities being attacked on this show. So we shouldn’t make it a gay issue, rather a moral issue.

I am a fan of American Idol, but not at this point in the contest. Now they are focused on showing the worst auditions and ripping them apart. It makes me very upset. I look forward to the main part of the competition when they actually focus on talent.

Simon is saying the straight truth.

I also think that that one guy would do better if he was a woman impersonator. As a man, and in general, he’s a horrible singer.

The other guy looked like a woman but said he’s a man. I do not know who’s more “homophobic” here: the guy himself or the judges. But anyway, those judges do not have to like everyone or anyone. They did not make similar comments against other many effeminate men in the competition.

They also made general comments about other people look, behavior, presentation and voice. You need a certain kind of appearance and talent to succeed as a singer.

Ron

I don’t know what to do.