High-pitched shrieks and excited OMGs could be heard all through America's suburbs yesterday as Clay Aiken admitted that he's gay, on the cover of People. Aiken's rabid fanbase, who call themselves Claymates, have taken to the message boards to deal with this shocking (to them) news. Many professed their undying support for the man they find talented, kind, and yes, sexy. But others are having trouble reconciling the news with comments Aiken made to Rolling Stone in 2004, when he denied having homosexual leanings. Nearly all Claymates are at one stage or another of the Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle, whether they're denying the truth of the story, raging at their hero himself, or coming to accept that he's a sinner. Examples follow:

DENIAL
"[The People cover] Reeks of photoshop to me. We can probably even find the picture of Clay's head from a recent fan photo if we look hard enough. Believe if you want, I just know that nothing is true unless it is printed in the fan club..." Playbiller at AikenForums.com

"I don't understand the timing of all this information, or supposed information. I'm not making any assumptions until I actually see credible information. Is that actually Parker in the photo? Some of my friends think the baby looks older than a child a month old." Claygirl at The Clayboard

ANGER
"I wish him well and hope he gets some peace of mind now BUT I feel he lied to everyone-especially us fans. He should have just said so years ago. I feel like we were "used". I still love to hear him sing but I also feel he has now become like a Michael Jackson and it's a bit too weird! He isn't just the plain ordinary person with the values he first stood for. But it's just my opinion." NJ4ClayA at The Clayboard

"So why lie in Rolling Stone and in his autobiography? Sorry, the Bible says homosexuality is wrong, and as a Christian I believe that. We can't just follow the parts of the Bible that we want or that are convenient to us, or we are not Christians. And he says he's a Christian. Too bad, I was supporting him since 2003." Diane at AikenForums.com

BARGAINING
"I loved his voice before the announcement, I still love his voice. I still listen to all the Clay cd's I bought, I will continue to buy Clay cd's provided the music and his voice remains as great." Debrah at AikenForums.com

DEPRESSION
"This is a gut wrenching day for The ClayNation. Somebody wake me up, I hope it's a dream." strollynn63 at The Clayboard

"I've cried a river of tears and truthfully do not know where I stand right now. I am envious of those who can take this news and continue to state their unconditional love and support for Clay." Clayncfan at The Clayboard

ACCEPTANCE
"I'm not going to lie and say I'm not shocked. I can't believe I said he wasn't gay. I denied it up and down to my mom and all. But hey, I still love him. He's a great person who's done so many wonderful things for the kids of other countries and has the most incredible voice." Alexandria at AIkenForums.com

"Clay is still the same talented singer I saw on AI2 five years ago. Nothing for me has changed. The baby is adorable." xtinad at The Clayboard