Unless adult contemporary ballads become more awesome among the 'tween set than Disney TV, Clay Aiken's kid can still totally look forward to being taunted on the schoolyard. But now, at least the little tater tot won't have to worry about any bully (or casual acquaintance) claiming dad's stuck in the closet.

Aiken has finally confirmed what every person on earth (save for lady Claymates) has known since he first appeared on our TV screens. Three guesses, now -- and it's not that he's the secret offspring of Tea Leoni and a Keebler Elf. He's gay.

In an interview in the upcoming issue of People, Aiken outs himself, saying: "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."

(Here's something we'll probably never utter again): Somebody give that dude a high five. After years of silence, this move took guts (although the paycheque he undoubtedly got for posing on the cover with his test-tube munchkin probably softened the blow).  

Aiken, however, says that he had his trepidations about finally coming clean with the public, and he expects that this news may be a bit too much for his (apparently totally uptight) fanbase.

"Whether it be having a child out of wedlock, or whether it be simply being a homosexual, it's going to be a lot," said Aiken.

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