We, the undersigned, petition FOR Adam Lambert performing in Countdown 2016 to be held at The Float @ Marina Bay.

MediaCorp has headlined the singer-songwriter as the star in the annual Countdown show – one of the biggest media events of the year featuring artistes and performers locally and overseas – because of his “unquenchable thirst to sing better, to live better, to love better, to be better”.

We support MediaCorp in their decision as it acknowledges the fact that Adam Lambert is a performer who is loved internationally, including in his home country, the United States of America - and that Adam is loved in spite of one single television performance that occurred many years ago and sparked controversy.

We realise that rising stars can and do make mistakes and errors in judgment. We also note that Adam Lambert has not repeated any such performance in the countless performances since then and indeed, has matured both as an adult and as a performer. We further feel that, as a result of maturity, experience, reflection on the past, and a desire to entertain as many people as possible, Adam Lambert will not repeat a performance such as the one single television appearance that occurred SIX YEARS AGO that other petitions and petitioners seem not to be able to get past. We point out that similar performances have not occurred in spite of Adam Lambert's numerous and ongoing TV and concert appearances over the past six years.

Further, we feel that Adam Lambert's music videos are appropriate for his target audiences and are certainly no more controversial than other contemporary music videos - and in fact, are in most cases completely devoid of any controversy. We point out that especially compared to some music videos of the past decade, Adam Lambert's videos are well within the boundaries of appropriateness and good taste for modern television - and yet continue to be entertaining, artful, and of the highest quality.

Adam Lambert is absolutely the kind of performer to send off our historic Jubilee Year and to usher in the New Year. His track record displays an ability to connect with his audiences and provide entertainment of the highest caliber, as many of us undersigned have ACTUALLY WITNESSED at his concerts and other performances - unlike the signees of other petitions who are against Adam Lambert's appearance and yet have never seen him in concert.

Singaporeans can look forward to a great show from Adam Lambert, if his highly successful worldwide 62-city tour with the highly esteemed and venerable Queen is any indication. Regarding Adam Lambert's appearance in London's New Year's celebration last year, Or-Politics reports that he was "widely praised after an incredible performance as part of London’s New Year celebration. As reported in Inquisitr at the time Lambert was trending worldwide after turning in a stunning performance with Queen as part of “Big Ben Live” celebration. Lambert was sensational during a performance that was screened live across the U.K. television networks."

We further feel that the fact that Adam Lambert is openly gay has absolutely no bearing on his ability to entertain a diverse audience, to sing with incomparable range and register, and to provide all that goes with a show of the highest quality. Adam Lambert's sexuality and private life have no more bearing on his ability to entertain than Nat Ho's (a popular Singapore singer and actor) sexuality and private life have on his ability to entertain - and as such, should not be part of the criteria needed for Adam Lambert to entertain Singaporeans. The talent and ability to entertain is both a God-given gift and a learned skill - and Adam Lambert possesses both.

Countdown 2016 is our annual iconic, public event for Singaporeans to come together to celebrate New Year’s Eve as one. Allowing Adam Lambert to perform as the star of Countdown 2016 shows 1) that Singaporeans value individuals and in particular entertainers based on their own merit, 2) that Singaporeans embrace humanity in its diversity, and 3) that Singaporeans value and support an artist's ability to excel in his or her own field regardless of race, religion, creed, or any other personal characteristics or preferences, including but not limited to one's own sexual preferences.

We ask that the wisdom and foresight that the Organisers of Countdown 2016 originally had in selecting Adam Lambert to headline their event not be abandoned in the face of misinformed, highly vocal (albeit well-intentioned) petitioners who ask that the Organisers reverse their considered decision based on incomplete and inaccurate information.

We urge the Organisers of Countdown 2016 to recognise and respect the wishes of the majority of Singapore who want an entertaining, professional, praise-worthy, incredible performance at the New Year's celebration event. We agree with MediaCorp that we should “end our SG50 year with a big bang and fly higher in 2016”, and we feel that the Organisers have planned such an event - including the appearance of Adam Lambert.

To ensure that Singapore has a rousing end of a significant SG50 year and a roaring start to a brand new year, we hereby petition:

• MediaCorp
• the Government of Singapore
• Minister Grace Fu and the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth
• Esplanade Theatres on the Bay
• Urban Redevelopment Authority
• TGIF Bazaars
• All other organisers, partners and sponsors of Countdown 2016

‎to respect the wishes of the majority of Singaporeans to have a New Year's celebration worthy of our Republic and City by standing by their original plans to have Adam Lambert in the lineup of performers for Countdown 2016.

Thank you for your kind and prompt attention.

For the love of Singapore, our people and our future

Concerned citizens

Concerned parents