Adam Lambert Is Proud of Being Gay

Pop superstar Adam Lambert was ashamed when he first realized he is gay, but is now proud and wouldn't hide his sexuality for anything, according to a new Behind the Music profile.

Lambert recalls that he was in sixth grade when he realized he was different from most of the other boys. "I was kind of in denial for a while and it was all in my own head," he says. "And to me it was a deep secret. I was just not ready to talk about it with anybody."

"I think at that age it was something that I was ashamed of, because it was so different," Lambert remembers. "No one talks about that in school and that's one of the things that's so hard about being a young person and realizing that you're gay or bi or whatever. We're not told that that's OK."

Lambert, who is currently at work on his second album, was considered the front-runner for season 8 of American Idol only to come in second to Kris Allen. Many thought the surprise choice was due to conservative voters being uncomfortable with Lambert's flamboyant performing style.

"I wouldn't want to go through my career hiding anything, or trying to cover something up," Lambert says. "It's just not my style. I'm proud of my sexuality. I have no hangups. I have no shame, but for me, it's not about wearing a T-shirt saying 'gay,' it's 'Adam.'"

Lambert's Behind the Music special airs this Sunday on VH1 at 10 p.m.