The American Idol runner-up is gracing the cover of People magazine with his newborn baby - and matter-of-factly declaring, "Yes, I'm Gay."

"It was the first decision I made as a father," Clay told PEOPLE, of his decision to come out.

"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."

The future of beauty is green. Join the fashion-forward, eco-conscious celebrities and explore the world of organic and natural beauty. Check The Green Beauty Guide to win a signed copy of THE GREEN BEAUTY GUIDE: Your Essential Resource for Organic and Natural Skincare, Hair Care, Makeup and Fragrances, in bookstores across the USA and Canada starting October 10, 2008.

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

He adds that he hopes his supporters "know that I've never intended to lie to anybody at all. ... But if they leave, I don't want them to leave hating me."

The singer says that even his mom struggled with the news, which he revealed to her four years ago.

"She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting."

Even now, Clay admits, "She still struggles with things quite a bit, but she's come a long way."

Clay says his son, who was conceived through in vitro fertilization with his best friend, music producer Jaymes Foster, will be raised in an environment that is "accepting and allowing him to be happy. I have no idea if he'll be gay or straight. It's not something I'll have anything to do with, or that he'll have anything to do with. No matter what the situation you're in, if you're raised in a loving environment, that's the most important thing." 

 Other news